Irate reactions have been flying left, right and center following the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed's visit to the copyright society of

Nigeria (COSON) last Saturday. There, he confirmed that pretty soon music/movie production will be banned from going abroad and must be

produced locally.


However, this hasn't gone down well with Nigerians judging by the comments on news outlets and websites one of which includes back and forth

banter with a popular Nigerian singer. Many are citing that even in advanced countries, movie/music production are taken outside the country, so

why should ours be different.



After all, the cost of production overseas is significantly higher than here at home. Producers already know this and are sure of the profit margin

before taking any film/music production outside. How is it the government's business? Have they provided an enabling environment for film/music

stakeholders to thrive?  Understandably so, this a line of thought going on in the mind of some Nigerians.


To be quite candid, there are many arguments that can be made for taking a movie/music production out of the country.



Some of which are:
1. Scenic attraction of international locations
2. The need to reach international audiences
3. Tax breaks from the foreign government
4. Access to top notch shooting equipment/crew
5. More control over filming locations
6. And so many more



Nonetheless, I'm going to take sides with the honorable minister and give reasons of why I support him on this one.



1. It improves the local economy:

Think about it, taking movies/music production improves the economy of the foreign country where it is put together, then imagine what it'll do to

improve the finances of the local business people. The food used to feed the cast, the hotels used for actors accommodation and the

houses/villages/shops that will be used as locations are few examples of how local production of entertainment will improve our economy.



2. Provision of jobs for local talent:

Producing entertainment locally means there'll be provision of more jobs for the indigenous people and given the unemployment situation in

Nigeria, this will go a long way in curbing youth joblessness: especially in the casting of extras and upcoming actors.




3. Leads to creation of more film/music settings:

This is a major reason why film/music producers go abroad: to be able to shoot in beautiful locales worldwide and increase the quality of content

output. Notwithstanding, a ban on overseas production will result in ingenuity of our producers who will try as much as possible to create those

scenic locations found abroad.




4. Production of Nigerian centric content:

Admittedly, one syndrome Nollywood has been suffering over the past few years is trying to copy ideas that have been overused in Hollywood

and Bollywood. Examples: film titles, plot, story lines etc. Film/Music assembled, packaged and sold to Nigerian audiences will force us to go back

to our roots and come up with stuff that is more original.  More Nigerian!




5. In turn Nigeria becomes the go to place for film/music production:

Yes, that is provided we are able to develop our own first by implementing the steps above. Patronizing our resources and creating our own

unique content. That way, we become the top destination for entertainers abroad to come produce their own content. We form our own brand!



It doesn't go without saying that stakeholders have voiced their opinions known with respect to the minister's words (and in most cases not in

support), but I'm trying to tackle the issue from a different perspective and I hope you see it just the way I do.



https://www.efilimu.com/film-music-production/

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wel said