Abuja: The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), representing professional screen actors in Nollywood, has opened its national office in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the inauguration event in Abuja was attended by filmmakers and actors from across Nigeria, as well as government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and other stakeholders. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, commended the AGN’s leadership for completing the project. Her remarks were delivered by Mrs. Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director of the Entertainment and Creative Economy Department. The minister highlighted the office’s significance as a milestone for the guild and a pivotal development for Nigeria’s creative economy.
The minister stressed the importance of Nollywood, the world’s second-largest film industry, in showcasing Nigeria’s talent on a global stage. She noted that the new office is more than a building; it is a hub for creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Musawa also emphasized the potential of Abuja as a growing center for arts and culture, complementing Lagos’s established role as an entertainment hub.
Musawa further explained that the ministry is working to position Abuja as a global entertainment hub to boost tourism, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy as part of the “Destination 2030” plan. She anticipated that the AGN’s national office in the FCT would accelerate these efforts.
Dr. Emeka Rollas, the AGN National President, described the project as part of a broader effort to make the guild’s services more accessible to actors nationwide. He encouraged the FCT leadership to support the guild, particularly in nurturing young talents interested in the film industry. Rollas highlighted the importance of infrastructure in achieving the guild’s objectives and emphasized the leadership’s commitment to enhancing member welfare.
Sen. Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the AGN Board of Patrons, expressed his satisfaction with Nollywood’s evolution into a global brand. He identified the Nigerian motion picture industry as a potential economic goldmine and advocated for government support and regulation comparable to other professional sectors.
Nollywood actors at the event expressed satisfaction with the new office, viewing it as a unifying space for actors across Nigeria. The event also featured the unveiling of the AGN Galleria prototype, a planned multi-purpose creative hub, and the launch of the “AGN Super AP” for membership enrollment.