Nigeria's movie industry generates 200 million dollars

The Nigerian movie industry has generated over 200 million US dollars in international sales since 1992, an official said here Thursday.

Adebambo Adewopo, director-general of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), said at the Joint Motion Picture Industry Charter forum here that the marketing potentials for Nigerian movies in the international market "is far higher than its market at home."

He said Nigerian movies provided a unique alternative to Western movies, especially among the African American population.

"Judging from these statistics, expectations, therefore will be that the industry should make significant contribution to the economy," he added.

Adewopo noted that the industry was being faced with piracy as nine of every 10 CDs, VCDs and DVDs circulating in the country were pirated.

He said these negative trends in the industry were militating against its growth as the nation lost more than 100 million naira (about 770,000 dollars) annually to piracy.

However, he expressed the government's commitment to the protection of intellectual property, noting that the Strategic Action Against Piracy program launched last May was to ensure the growth of a legitimate entertainment industry.

He said the forum, the first synergy jointly organized by the NCC, the National Broadcasting Commission, the National film and Video Censors Board and the Nigerian Film Corporation would " channel a way forward for the industry, which is being repositioned to greater heights."

Source: Xinhua