Connect with us

Entertainment

The Scroll Generation And Nollywood, By Precious Enusa 

Published

2 months ago

on

I recently tried to watch a Nollywood film with a friend. Barely four minutes had passed before he reached for his phone.”When is something going to happen?” he asked. I laughed because, truthfully, I had been thinking the same thing. A few seconds later, he skipped ahead, then a little further, then abandoned the film altogether for TikTok, where he spent the next forty minutes watching clips that lasted less than a minute each. The irony wasn’t lost on either of us. Somehow, we had become too impatient for a two-hour story but had endless patience for hundreds of disconnected thirty-second clips.

That moment stayed with me. Yet I remember a different era. Growing up, watching Papa Ajasco, Super Story or Soul Sisters was rarely a solitary experience. Siblings wandered into sitting rooms when they heard the familiar theme songs. Families gathered around one television. Nobody was asking for the story to hurry up. Nobody was complaining that “nothing has happened yet.” The conversations came after the credits rolled, not while everyone was distracted by another screen.

Today, that kind of patience feels almost nostalgic. It is tempting to blame TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts for this shift. They certainly deserve part of the conversation. Their endless streams of bite-sized content have trained us to expect instant gratification. Every swipe promises something newer, funnier or more exciting than the last. The moment boredom creeps in, another video is waiting.

 But the real story is bigger than social media. We now live in what economists and media scholars call the attention economy, a world where attention has become one of the most valuable commodities. Every app wants it. Every notification competes for it. Every creator measures success by how long they can hold onto it. In this economy, time is no longer just money; attention is.

The consequences are measurable. Gloria Mark, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, has spent more than two decades studying human attention. Her research shows that the average time people stay focused on a single screen activity has fallen dramatically over the years. Once our attention is interrupted, regaining deep focus can take far longer than most people realise.

Nollywood has not escaped this reality. For an industry built on long-form storytelling, that changes everything. Perhaps no one understood this better than Funke Akindele. Long before “Everybody Loves Jenifa” reached cinemas, audiences had already been seeing the film everywhere, not through conventional trailers, but through dance videos, comedy skits, behind-the-scenes clips and social media reels released months in advance. By the time the film finally premiered, it already felt familiar. People were not simply buying cinema tickets; they were completing a conversation they had been part of online for months. The strategy worked. The film crossed the billion-naira mark at the Nigerian box office, proving that in today’s entertainment landscape, attention is often won long before release day.

READ ALSO: Opinion: Social media: A Learning Tool Or A Distraction?

The payoff shows in the numbers. By mid-2026, Nigerian films had overtaken Hollywood’s share of the local box office for the first time in years, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria and FilmOne Entertainment, despite fewer titles released overall. Nigerian cinema attendance is now above pre-pandemic levels even as Hollywood ticket sales in the same market have dropped by nearly two-thirds. The films doing the heavy lifting are comedies rooted in everyday Nigerian life- exactly the register skit culture spent a decade perfecting.

The transformation goes beyond marketing. A decade ago, aspiring actors hoped to be discovered through auditions. Today, many first build an audience on social media.

Take Broda Shaggi. Before becoming a familiar face in mainstream Nollywood, he built an enormous following through short comedy skits. Those sixty-second performances became his portfolio, introducing him to millions long before any casting director called. Along the way, he collaborated with established actors, creating a bridge between the internet and the film industry. In many ways, the skit has quietly become the new audition.

This is one of the most fascinating shifts in Nigerian entertainment. Rather than treating skit makers as competitors, Nollywood has absorbed them. The timing, humour and cultural references perfected in short-form comedy now influence everything from casting decisions to screenplay pacing and film promotion.

However, adaptation always comes with trade-offs. For years, one of the biggest criticisms of Nollywood was that some films took too long to get to the point. Scenes lingered, conversations repeated themselves and plots sometimes moved at a frustrating pace. In many ways, today’s audiences have forced filmmakers to become more disciplined. scenes that overstayed their welcome. But something is also slipping away. It’s hard to imagine many younger viewers today sitting through the unhurried openings that made Super Story or Osuofia in London so memorable, not because those stories were poorly told, but because our viewing habits have changed. 

But there is a difference between better pacing and perpetual speed. Some of Nollywood’s most enduring stories became memorable because they allowed emotions to unfold naturally.Those stories trusted viewers to stay.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Driver for Kidnapping Child He Was Hired to Transport

Today’s filmmakers often cannot afford that luxury. They are competing not just with other films, but with TikTok, Instagram Reels, football highlights, podcasts, memes and countless other distractions living inside the same smartphone. 

Still, I hesitate to claim that people can no longer concentrate. If that were true, cinemas would not still fill up for the right films. People would not binge entire television series in a weekend. Football fans would not remain glued to ninety minutes of action every week. Nigerians would not spend hours following election coverage or reality television like Big Brother Naija when the stakes feel high enough. Attention hasn’t disappeared. It has become expensive. We no longer give it away freely, stories have to earn it.

For Nollywood, that is both a challenge and an opportunity.The future of Nigerian cinema will not be decided by whether films become faster or slower. It will be decided by whether they can still make audiences care deeply enough to put their phones down.

Because in a world built on endless scrolling, perhaps the greatest achievement for any filmmaker is no longer making people watch. It is making them stay.

Precious Enusa is a final year student of Mass Communication at Delta State University, Abraka.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

‎Why Christy Essien-Igbokwe Remains Nigeria’s Lady of Songs

Published

2 months ago

on

August 13, 2026

By

In Nigeria’s entertainment history, few female musicians have left a legacy as enduring as Christy Essien-Igbokwe.

Her success as a singer, actress and music administrator made her one of the pioneers who transformed the country’s music industry.

‎‎Born in Akwa Ibom State, Christy discovered her passion for music at an early age and steadily built a successful career that produced numerous hit songs and award-winning albums.

Her performances in different Nigerian languages enabled her to connect with audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds.

‎‎Apart from entertaining millions of fans, she used her influence to advocate for women and children through music and film.

Her emergence as the first female president of PMAN also demonstrated her leadership and commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

‎‎Today, years after her passing, Christy Essien-Igbokwe’s songs remain popular, while her achievements continue to inspire upcoming artists.

Her life stands as proof that talent, hard work and determination can create a legacy that outlives generations.‎

Continue Reading

Entertainment

“They Were touching Me Everywhere”: Lady Alleges Gang Assault In Delta Community Festival, Begs For Police Action

Published

2 months ago

on

August 12, 2026

By

By Annabella Esiri/David Akpovwa

A young lady has gone public with allegations that she was assaulted and nearly gang-raped by a group of men in Otor-Iyeded community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, during a local festival.

In a video shared on TikTok under the handle @dge_redoii, the lady, who appeared distressed and was speaking from what she said was a hospital, recounted that the incident occurred on the day she went out to get kegs for her business in Ugele.

According to her account, she entered a commercial motorcycle to Otor-Iyede, which she identified as her father’s village.

She alleged that upon arrival, a group of more than 20 men surrounded her.

“I was minding my business and then about four immediately dragged me out and dragging my hair, using stick to beat me,” she said in the video.

She further alleged that the men touched her inappropriately and attempted to take her to a hotel.

The woman said she was rescued after calling her mother, who then contacted relatives.

She stated that her uncles and the police were alerted and she was taken to her uncle’s house.

She expressed frustration over the response she received from community members, alleging that she was told “this is the tradition” and that “they are not going to do anything.”

“I don’t have evidence because I could not video it… but they should do something about it,” she said, appealing for authorities to investigate.

As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command has not released an official statement on the allegation.

Efforts to reach community leaders in Otor-Iyede for comment were ongoing.

Human rights advocates have urged the police to investigate the claims thoroughly and ensure the safety of the alleged victim.

The video has since sparked reactions online, with many calling for justice and protection for women and girls during cultural festivals.

Editor’s Note: The allegations in this report are based on the account given by the individual in a public video. Delta State University, Abraka, and other authorities have not yet confirmed the details. Victims of sexual assault are advised to seek medical attention and report to the nearest police station or support organizations.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you can contact the Nigeria Police Force, NAPTIP, or local support centers for assistance.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Peller Weds Jarvis: DELSU Students React To TikTok Star’s Marriage Decision

Published

2 months ago

on

August 11, 2026

By

By Osarumwense Success

Popular Nigerian TikTok streamer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has married fellow content creator Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, known online as Jarvis.

The wedding trended across TikTok, X and Instagram for over a week and has sparked wide debate among young people.

Recall, Peller rose to fame in 2024 through live streams and skits.

Jarvis, also a creator, is known for tech and comedy content.

The couple confirmed they had completed both traditional and court weddings in a private ceremony with family and close friends.

At Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, the news dominated student conversations in lecture halls, hostels and on social media.

While some students celebrated the union, others questioned the timing, citing age, education, and career pressure.

To capture campus opinion, Interview was conducted with four DELSU students.

Their views reflect how young people on campus are processing marriage.

Isaac Gloria, a 200-level student from department of Mass Communication believes education and career stability should come before marriage.

“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw the videos. Peller is just 20 years old.

“His career is just starting to blow up and he has so much ahead of him.

“Marriage is not just love and posting pictures.

“It comes with bills, pressure and responsibilities that can distract you.

“I feel like education should have come first.

“He should finish school, build a stronger structure for his brand, and then think about marriage.

“Fame does not last forever.

“Trends change every month on TikTok.

“What happens if content creation slows down in two years?

“What will he fall back on?

“That is why having a degree and a backup plan matters.

“At 20, there is still a lot to learn about life, money and people.

“I am not saying he cannot marry later, but right now it feels rushed.

“He needs time to grow personally before adding the pressure of marriage.

“I wish them well, but I think the timing is wrong,” she said.

Ovie Efe, a 100-level student from the department of Film and Multimedia believe adults have the right to decide for themselves.

“No one has the right to choose for another person.

“Peller and Jarvis are both adults. If they love each other and they have decided to marry, then we should respect that.

“People online are acting like they know everything about their relationship but on the contrary we do not.

“Maybe they prayed about it.

“Maybe they talked to their families and planned it well.

“We cannot tell. Social media will always talk, whether it is good or bad.

“That is just how it is.

“Marriage does not mean your career must end.

“Look at creators abroad who got married young and are still doing very well because they support each other.

“Jarvis is also a creator, so she understands the job.

“That can even make things easier for them. Instead of dragging them, we should allow them to live.

“If it works, fine. If there are challenges, they will learn and adjust.

“It is their life, not ours,” he said.

Another student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared diverse views on the marriage, saying, “I do not think it is totally wrong, and I do not think it is totally right.”

“It depends on the couple.

“Marriage at 20 is possible, but it is not easy at all.

“There will be pressure from fans, pressure from content creation deadlines, and pressure from family expectations.

“If Peller and Jarvis have mentors and if they plan their finances well, it can work.

“But if they entered it without thinking, the stress can break them.

“Young couples in the public eye need counseling and strong boundaries.

“They must create time for work, time for rest, and time for each other.

“If they do not balance it, one side will suffer.

“Content creation is already stressful with trends and hate comments.

“Adding marriage means they must communicate more.

“My prayer is that they succeed, but they must be very intentional.

“They should also protect their privacy because too much public opinion can destroy a young marriage,” the person said.

Godsgift Smart a final-year from the department of Science Laboratory Technology , says the marriage can bring stability.

“I think it is a good decision.

“This content creation space is stressful.

“You are always online, always chasing trends, and always dealing with criticism.

“Having someone you trust by your side can help you stay grounded.

“Jarvis is also a creator, so she understands the pressure.

“That means they can support each other instead of fighting the job.

“Love and partnership matter a lot in this industry because it can be lonely.

“Age is just a number if two people are ready to work together and build.

“Many people criticize without knowing their background, their faith, or their plans.

“We do not know what God has told them. Instead of dragging them, we should encourage them.

“If this works, it will show other young people that you can build love and career at the same time.

“I wish them strength and peace,” he said.

Peller’s marriage to Jarvis has sparked real conversation at DELSU about age, education, career and love in the age of social media.

Some students say it is too early. Others say it is their choice.

Others believe it can work with planning, and some see it as a positive step.

As they begin married life in the spotlight, the outcome will likely depend on how they balance fame, responsibility and partnership.

Continue Reading

Trending