Beyond Lagos: Ibadan is Nollywood's Next Cinematic Hub
Beyond Lagos: Ibadan is Nollywood's Next Cinematic Hub
From Breath of Life to Adire, Ibadan was home to some of Nollywood's best projects from 2023. Is the industry moving over there?
(Photo credit: _helloibadan )
Last year, 2023, was a stellar year for Nollywood, bringing several outstanding and daring films in terms of art, form, and story. A notable trend among some of these top films was their choice of location outside Lagos, which introduced a visually distinctive and welcoming change to audiences.
The arthouse Mami Wata, which was shot on a beach in Benin Republic, had a striking and serene feel that might not have been achieved in any of Lagos’s busy and overly commercial beaches. BB Sasore’s stunning Breath of Life was shot in the lush areas of the University of Ibadan; Adeoluwa Owu’s Adire, a story set in a quaint little town was shot in Ibadan. Even the epics, from Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo to Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun, which were shot in faraway Oyo towns, carry the grand visuals characteristic of big-scale period dramas.
There appears to be a growing preference for Ibadan, and Oyo state by extension, as a new favoured filming location, which is logical considering its proximity to Lagos, the hub of most mainstream Nollywood films and activities. However, it is also because Ibadan offers what may not necessarily be found in Lagos. The city houses many structures from the colonial era which makes it easier for filmmakers to tell historical stories, without the need to build new sets to achieve the period look.
“Ibadan has very unique architecture and landscapes from the buildings to the dams, brown roofs, cathedrals, old colonial buildings, postcolonial buildings, and schools; these are areas that have retained the quality of 50 years ago,” the Ibadan-raised filmmaker, Taiwo Egunjobi, said in his interview with In Nollywood. “This provides a unique tool for filmmakers who want to tell stories around these worlds. Ibadan provides the look while also providing the feel of a modern city. It sits in that sweet spot where filmmakers who want to retain the best of both worlds can easily come and do it.”
Ibadan provides an affordable cost of living outside of filming, and the filming process is generally hassle-free.
This sentiment is clearly expressed in Imoh Umoren’s A Herbert Macaulay Affair, partly shot at Mapo Hall, Ibadan. The film explores three decades of Herbert Macaulay’s life, depicting his continual rebellion against the colonial government. Mapo Hall epitomises the historical and colonial architecture Egunjobi mentioned.
Sasore echoed Egunjobi’s viewpoint when explaining why his AMVCA-winning Breath of Life was shot in Ibadan.
“When you remove people’s gadgets, most of the buildings in Ibadan look the same. The cars, and roads all feel the same and though a few high-rise buildings may pop out, Ibadan still looks like what it did in the ‘70s,” he noted.
A Cheaper Alternative
Beyond the benefit of a different world, Ibadan provides filmmakers a cushion for their pockets. Expenses are notably lower compared to Lagos, primarily due to the cheaper cost of living.
“Ibadan provides an affordable cost of living outside of filming, and the filming process is generally hassle-free,” Babara Babarinsa, Adire’s producer, noted. “Also, the community is helpful, they volunteer to cook, lend items to shoot, and even volunteer to feature as extras for the shoot.”
The homeliness and comeliness of the people which can facilitate the production process and save cost, is another attraction.
“The people are a little nicer, they are more willing to help and because they are less busy and more fascinated with what you are doing, a few bucks for a tip can go a long way,” Sasore added.
Other locations offer similar perks, after all, cities like Enugu, Kaduna and Jos have colonial attributes and nicer folks. However, Ibadan’s proximity to Lagos makes it more attractive. Egunjobi said “because it is closer to Lagos, it is logistically viable as there is also very little traffic and the city is not as chaotic as Lagos. This also allows filmmakers to do better planning for their film production.”
(Photo credit: @shedracksalami_ )
The Trade-Off
Shooting in Ibadan comes with its own set of challenges, such as securing suitable filming locations, finding the right crew, travelling with an entire team, and accommodating them.
Sasore calls it a trade-off of chaos.
“Ibadan is much slower and less populated than Lagos,” he explained. “Things are significantly cheaper to work with. However, in the same way, there are fewer options for professionals and less expertise. It also does cost a bit to take the expertise personnel from elsewhere like Lagos and house them in Ibadan.”
Egunjobi expands on the expertise angle mentioning the lack of very sophisticated TV and film production companies or culture can impact or limit filmmakers who want to execute big productions, especially in finding big equipment and their handlers.
“While you might find some local talent, when it comes to crewing up, it might be difficult to find suitable talent other than from the universities and local film schools around,” Egunjobi explained. “However, finding and bringing together top-level crew can be a little challenging.”
Another set of challenges include the lack of big studios or sound spaces suited for film production and Ibadan’s weak nightlife and niched catering, which often forces some production to travel with their Lagos caterers
Therefore, filmmakers have to decide the trade-off of their preference.
How does this benefit Ibadan?
The increasing traction and attention have had a significant impact on the city and Oyo state both creatively and economically. The production influx has created another avenue for local businesses and talents to thrive. People who offer craft services and catering can find more means to make money. This is stressed by Egunjobi who sees small businesses thriving every time he visits production locations.
“People who do craft services, catering and all are making a living,” he added. “The local talents as well, it allows them to earn and I think it’s a good opportunity for the state government to rise and make the state attract bigger and more film opportunities in Ibadan.”
Responsibility lies on the state’s government to get involved and provide support to Ibadan (and Oyo state) is even more attractive to filmmakers. This is something the Seyi Makinde’s government has already started, according to political analyst and commentator Ayobami Agboola, popularly known as Dondekojo on X.
“Recently, the Oyo State tourism conference was held and a number of filmmakers attended, including Kunle Afolayan,” Agboola informed In Nollywood. “There will be a working document out very soon covering all the resolutions and upcoming initiatives concluded from the conference.
“Ibadan is on the radar of many for many reasons including the shift of remote workers moving from Lagos to Ibadan and this creates opportunities for infrastructural development and job creation,” Agboola continued. “Filmmakers find it easy to shoot in Ibadan where they are not harassed by hoodlums and thugs. The government sees this growth and is invested in making the process even more seamless for filmmakers coming to shoot films in Ibadan.”