screenwriters-from-nigeria

"I know my crafts and I can defend my handiwork wherever, whenever, and to whomever."

"My passion, commitment, resilience, and love for excellence always make me want to do things better and bigger."

"Remember, once a boxer always a boxer."

"If you’re into anything and nobody is appreciating you it’s like you’re not doing anything. But so far you have people around you, appreciating your work, it inspires you to forge ahead."

"Footballers and musicians make more money than actors. Actors are the least paid."

"There is no way you live and won’t have one or two negative stories to tell. But one thing about me is that so far I have overcome any"

"I am not against criticism but there’s a good criticism that makes the script better and there’s a bad one that makes it worse. So, these were the hurdles I faced earlier in my career."

"Screenwriting can be as profitable as you like. It’s a profession you love first before it starts loving you. Every screen­writer’s journey is different. I worked in radio for five years writing full time. And even then it there were long scary moments when nothing was happening. I don’t recommend people quit their day job to pursue screenwriting until your writing can support you”."

"In bringing Shuga to Nigeria, I hope that we embrace it. I hope young people will learn, be entertained and ultimately change their lives. I would like Shuga to help start conversations between friends and families about issues relating to certain taboos, talk about HIV and about teen pregnancy."

"It's so unfair to see the way some countries discuss sanctioning international students through crazy immigration policies like they go to these schools for free. If you don't want them in your country, just stop giving student visas rather than constant humiliation."

"Having morals in this economy is tough but to God be my glory."

"As a girl child, you truly believe yourself to be weaker than your male relatives, friends, class mates."

"There is nothing wrong with being a presenter or an actor, but if you are interested in other tech aspects of the job, you need to embrace that thing you are afraid of."

"A woman who will break barriers will break barriers, whether she has many other responsibilities on her shoulders or not."

"You don't have to leave before you are forgotten."

"The only one standing in your way is you. Go for what you want at full speed, no hesitation, no questions."

"A person focused on achieving his/her goals will find life more fulfilling. Keep glowing."

"Life is perspective, 2 pieces."

"Children are not asked to be born so when you have them, you must take care of them."

"I believe that this (acting) is what God ordained me to do and that is why I am still relevant. I am very sure that if I had towed a different career path I would have been forgotten by now"

"Some people are frustrated on social media. If they don’t say negative things about you, they won’t get well. I just block such people; I don’t have time to entertain them."

"In five years, I would be everywhere and would be a role model to the world because by then I believe I will be an international icon in the movie industry. And by then, I will also be a wonderful mother."

"For now I am not facing any challenges because I have overcame my problem and fear back then. Today, I am grateful to Almighty God because He is the foundation of everything and He has been faithful to me."

"No matter how long the road, it will lead to your destination"

"There is nothing wrong with dating a fan. Are they not human beings? In as much as the person is caring and loves my job, I can definitely date or marry a fan. However, I won’t go for someone that doesn’t love my job."

"I cannot marry a man who would restrict my success. He knew I was an actress before approaching me, so why would he restrict my success? That means such a person is selfish and doesn’t appreciate what I am doing. Why would I settle down with a man that will restrict my success"

"What’s gone is gone, what’s lost is lost. Trust in your destiny, you will find love. and it will find you."

"Royal Arts Academy will contribute to the transformation, development and growth of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole, by offering first class training to students who would go on to produce excellent films that would place Nollywood at par with the international community. This training will be provided by industry professionals within and outside the country."

"I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I have strong passion for it. And whenever I finish a movie and come across people who are enjoying my movies, I always feel elated."

"This is my first time to do a true life story. It was challenging for me. We spent weeks doing research in the creeks of Bayelsa, learning the culture of the people. My choice of cast fit the character in reality."

"Every country should respect its own local industry. We must look for ways to help Nigerians who put in a lot of hard work whether as cast or crew members. Their hope is to be able to earn a living from the sacrifices and efforts they put into supporting the production of the movies the Nigerian audience consume."

"As a way of saying thank you to my people, I have decided to film my next huge project in Uyo to continue in our contributions towards the development and growth of the movie industry in Akwa Ibom and indeed Nollywood."

"Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you’ll look back, and realize they were the big things."

"Special Jollof is just a love story set in the background of immigration, the problems immigrants go through and this preconceived notion that every immigrant is involved in illegal activities. This movie is actually different from what I normally do and because it is a well talked about issue worldwide at the moment, causing concern for world leaders."

"Remuneration for creatives in Nigeria is a far cry from what their counterparts receive abroad. Hollywood and other established film industries are much older and sophisticated than Nollywood and therefore would reward their practitioners better.""

"Shooting this movie was very challenging but also fun. One of the major challenges we faced was finding foreign actors, so, I had to hold an audition but thank God, the turnout was really impressive. Another challenge was finding locations and getting people to open up to you. I was new to that terrain, so, it was quite challenging for me.”"

"Take every opportunity you get; you never know which one will help you accomplish your goal."

"Stop comparing your life to others. There’s no comparison between the SUN and the MOON. They shine when it’s their time."

"I have learnt to be patient. I have learnt to understand that people’s destinies are different. I have also learnt to understand that not everybody will appreciate your style, not everybody will understand where you are coming from. All you need as a person is focus."

"There is this rush in me, it is there, and you can feel it inside you, knowing that somebody is going to make use of it. It comes at the end of the script you write knowing you have been able to come up with something that someone else will make use of what you are doing. Then, knowing that not everybody can do what you are doing."

"Growing up in the slum helps you to find yourself. It’s either you are defined or you are not. Growing up as a child in Ajegunle, it’s either you get lost or it helps you find your way."

"As a child I have always known what I wanted. In my room I had a write-up that when I become eighteen I would rent my own apartment."

"You don’t decide when you find the right person, so wherever you find yourself at whatever point in life, it’s important to be happy at that stage."

"Both writing and acting, I don’t see myself trying to compare them. It is my duty to do my job and it is people’s duty to analyse it. Success is getting to a point where you are comfortable with what you have and you are happy with it and this is exactly how I feel."

"One Nigeria can truly not work, except these excesses can boldly and truly be checked."

"Wealth and assets have no hiding place."

"Stop trying to replace your ex. What’s gone is gone. Trust yourself to make better choices and make corrections from your initial error. If you still haven’t healed, give yourself time to."

"Film is often the perfect vehicle to provide education about social issues and to inspire social and political change."

"What I think we can do better in Nollywood is, improve the quality of our content. We should not compromise standards in any way."

"Art has a huge role to play in society and can be a catalyst for change and positivity if used in the right way."