The Rise of Nollywood: Creators, Entrepreneurs, and Pirates
Author Information
Author: Olufunmilayo B. Arewa
Position: Professor of Law and Anthropology
Institution: University of California, Irvine School of Law
Email: oa****@*****ci.edu
Academic Background:
- A.B., Harvard College
- M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (Anthropology)
- A.M., University of Michigan (Applied Economics)
- J.D., Harvard Law School
Paper Details
Title: The Rise of Nollywood: Creators, Entrepreneurs, and Pirates
Author: Olufunmilayo B. Arewa
Series: Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2012-11
Institution: University of California, Irvine School of Law
Publication Type: Legal Research Paper / Working Paper
Date: Draft dated February 27, 2012
Abstract (Brief Overview)
The paper examines the rapid growth of Nollywood and how creators, entrepreneurs, and pirates collectively contributed to the development of Nigeria’s film industry. It highlights the role of digital technology, informal distribution systems, and weak intellectual property enforcement in shaping Nollywood’s expansion across Africa and globally.
Main Focus of the Paper
The paper explores:
- The rise of Nollywood in the early 1990s
- Technology leapfrogging in Africa
- Informal distribution networks
- Piracy and its role in industry growth
- Entrepreneurship in Nollywood
- Intellectual property challenges in Nigeria
- Global spread of Nollywood films
Key Themes
- Nollywood Film Industry Development
- Intellectual Property and Creativity
- Informal Economy and Film Production
- Piracy and Distribution Networks
- African Cultural Production
- Digital Technology and Media Growth
Key Observations in the Paper
- Nigeria became one of the world’s largest producers of digital video films despite limited infrastructure
- Nollywood films spread widely across Africa, Europe, and the United States
- Informal business structures played a significant role in Nollywood’s growth
- Piracy and informal distribution networks contributed to rapid expansion
- Nollywood is considered a natural experiment in creativity with limited intellectual property enforcement
About the Author
Olufunmilayo B. Arewa is a legal scholar and anthropologist whose research focuses on intellectual property, cultural production, media industries, and economic development. Her work explores how creative industries evolve in developing economies and how intellectual property laws affect innovation and entrepreneurship.
Suggested Citation
Arewa, Olufunmilayo B.
The Rise of Nollywood: Creators, Entrepreneurs, and Pirates.
Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2012-11,
University of California, Irvine School of Law, 2012.
