Nigeria's Creative Industry (Nollywood) in the Quest for Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development

The spate of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria necessitates serious efforts toward economic diversification for sustainable development. Nigeria's creative industry (Nollywood) has attracted attention as a potential contributor to national GDP. This qualitative review examines Nollywood's contributions to the economy and identifies gaps between policy statements and implementation. While Nollywood has demonstrated economic viability through its global ranking as the third-largest film industry after Hollywood and Bollywood, government support remains inadequate. The paper argues that without proactive government intervention—including proper financing, professional regulation, data collection, and tax administration—Nollywood cannot fully realize its potential for sustainable development. Strategic initiatives such as training hubs, financing partnerships, and harmonization of practitioners' associations are essential to reposition Nollywood as a viable engine for economic diversification and job creation in Nigeria.