“South Africa Is Ahead of Nigeria in Filmmaking,” Says BBNaija Star Pere Egbi
Nollywood actor and Big Brother Naija alum Pere Egbi has stirred up conversation among film lovers and industry insiders with a bold observation. On August 18, 2025, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to state that South Africa is currently ahead of Nigeria when it comes to filmmaking, and he suggested the solution lies in collaboration.
“No offense to my Nollywood colleagues but you see South Africa, they are ahead of us o when it comes to film production, storytelling, filmmaking, work ethics, name it. They are ahead. We need to collaborate!”
The post went viral almost instantly, igniting a wave of mixed reactions. Some praised Pere for igniting an important conversation about industry improvement, while others felt he was undermining Nollywood’s reputation and progress.
Before entering the world of entertainment, Pere served six years in the U.S. military. Since transitioning to acting and modeling, he’s taken on roles in both local and international productions, including TV series like The Men’s Club and the Hollywood-associated project The Saga City.
Why This Matters for Nollywood
This isn’t just hot air, Pere’s comment taps into broader discussions about the global state of African film industries:
Production Quality & Storytelling: South African films are often praised for their polished production and narrative craftsmanship. Pere’s remarks echo a belief that Nollywood could benefit from adopting similar standards.
Professionalism & Work Ethic: He also highlighted differences in industry discipline and execution, suggesting that adopting more rigorous practices could elevate Nigerian cinema’s standing.
Partnership Potential: Crucially, Pere didn’t just criticize, he proposed collaboration as a way forward, hinting at co-productions, knowledge-sharing, and creative exchange as possible paths.
The Broader Picture: Nollywood in Context
While Nollywood is celebrated as one of the world’s most prolific film industries by volume, it faces ongoing challenges:
Distribution & Quality Control: Recent trends show filmmakers pivoting to platforms like YouTube as streaming services cut back on African content, highlighting distribution and visibility issues.
The Guardian
Infrastructure Gaps: With limited cinema access and underdeveloped support systems, Nigerian filmmakers often struggle to secure broad theatrical release and financial returns.
Canon South Africa
The Guardian
Room for Growth: Educating and equipping film professionals remains an ongoing priority. Without proper training infrastructure, many creatives self-teach, limiting long-term industry capacity.
Canon South Africa
Collaborating with South African counterparts, who benefit from stronger institutional support and developed platforms, could help bridge some of these gaps.