Assessing Nigeria’s National Communication Policy’s Capacity to Address the Challenges of Its Film Industry

Abstract

This paper assesses a portion of Nigeria’s national communication policy being policies on the film industry. Its perspective is that although the media policy appears comprehensive as it attempts to address its fundamental ideology and purpose being national development, promotion of national culture and the advancement of individual standards of living through film and its proceeds, the policy on film is monotonous, theoretical, and lacking in key challenging areas faced by the industry. Hence, the paper’s position that the policy is outdated, slow and grinding to a halt in applicability as it is addressing broad national film objectives and not focusing on the pressing issues and minute details that add up to ensuring that the broader objectives are achieved. In other words, the national policy as regards the film industry needs to be updated to address current film industry challenges, take cognizance of minute setbacks while enacting policies that will help avoid certain anti-national media policy ideology and guide in the implementation of the updated policy.

Keywords: Nigeria Film policy, Nigeria’s National Communication Policy, Nollywood, Nigeria’s Film Industry

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/72-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2021