Etinosa Idemudia Laments Area Boys’ Extortion in Lagos

Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Etinosa Idemudia has urged the state government of Lagos to address the problem of local touts, sometimes known as area boys.

She bemoaned the continual disruption caused by the local males on film sets, pointing out that she had never encountered such behavior in any other state.

Filmmakers are frequently required to pay absurd amounts by the goons before being permitted to film in specific spots, according to Etinosa Idemudia.

The producer said; “Another challenge is the case of area boys who often disrupt film shoots, demanding money in Lagos State. These people usually ask filmmakers to pay outrageous bills to continue their shoot. It’s daylight robbery.

“The Lagos State government needs to address this issue. I have not encountered this problem in other states, such as Edo, Enugu, or Abuja where I have filmed.

“The lack of regulation in Nollywood is a big challenge for me as a filmmaker and actor. Regulation is not about blocking the gate of any industry; it is about checking entrance procedures, ways of carrying out activities, and protecting its practitioners.

“In the film space, there is hardly anything like an exam or qualification process. It is a free-for-all, which is both good and bad. The value of films needs to improve. These challenges need to be addressed for the industry to thrive, and for us to showcase our craft to the world.

“Another major challenge is the lack of funding. Funding has always been a challenge. Sometimes, as a creative, you have amazing ideas, but the budget constraints can be disheartening. Recently, there have been improvements. There have been grants from the Edo State government and other sources. However, funding is likely to remain an issue in the industry, until the right things are done.”