Nollywood and the leaders of tomorrow: interrogating film content and character formation of the Nigerian child

Abstract

The intellectual discourse on the influence of films in shaping a child’s ideological leaning is a topic that has generated interest in different parts of the world. The supposed proposition that inapt behaviours, nonchalant attitudes, moral decadence, and violence among children are outcome in most films produced in Nollywood Film Industry calls for serious examination. Hence, to examine the effects which film contents could have on educational development and character formation of a Nigerian child remains the aim of this study. Objectives include; to ascertain the potentials of films content in creating a standard for good leadership skills for the Nigerian child, and to advocate possible ways through which Nollywood movies can be produced to achieve all round development of the Nigerian child. The study through the adoption of observation, and content analysis approaches of qualitative research method, evaluated the influence of films on children. The study utilized George Gerbner’s Cultivation theory in examining the influence of film environments in child’s learning and leadership skill and found out that most Nollywood films have themes of Mischief, adult chauvinisms, hatred, demonic possessions, and violent politicking, among other social vices which pose serious threats to the child’s ideal leadership purview. The researcher therefore recommends, establishment of a film unit that should provide adequate censorship of children films. The unit should be empowered to sieve, dissect and scrutinize all children film contents in Nollywood Film Industry so as to make sure that the filmmakers produce films relevance to the academic and character formation needs of Nigerian children. Hence, children are the leaders of tomorrow.