I Could Have Gone To Hollywood A Long Time If I Wanted To: Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian entertainment industry. As a successful actress, producer, and now the Managing Director of The Entertainment Network (TEN), she has made it her mission to build a thriving industry in Nigeria that showcases the rich culture and talent of the African continent.
In a recent event “The Afreximbank Annual Meeting and the 3rd Africaribean Trade and Investment Forum, with the theme “Owning Our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa”
Genevieve Nnaji spoke on the plenary session on ‘Opportunities for AfriCaribbean Trade in Creative and Cultural Products’, On this session, she shared her vision for the future of the industry and the importance of telling African stories for African people. She spoke passionately about her decision to stay in Nigeria and build a platform.
“I could have gone to Hollywood a long time ago if I wanted to, but I had a dream to build an industry in Nigeria that could drive home. Because I always believed in that. I always knew that we were capable of actually owning an industry like that, told our story for our people,” Genevieve Nnaji said.
By supporting and nurturing local talent, she believes that we can not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of Africa and the Caribbean but also create economic opportunities, which in turn, will help to drive economic growth and prosperity.
She emphasised the importance of collaboration between business and creativity, stating that they must go hand in hand. Highlighting the need for respecting the creative aspect to achieve economic success. Her words underline the significant role local talent and industries play in telling authentic stories and driving economic growth. Investing in our creative industries is crucial for promoting cultural heritage and ensuring economic prosperity within the AfriCaribbean community
Genevieve Nnaji’s message is clear: investing in our creative industries is not just a cultural imperative but an economic necessity. By respecting and valuing the creative aspect of the business, fostering collaboration between artists and business professionals, and supporting local talent and industries, we can create a vibrant and thriving entertainment industry that celebrates diversity, promotes cultural heritage, and ensures economic prosperity within the AfriCaribbean community.
