The Kwara State Government has completed production of a series of Nollywood films worth N290 million reflecting the devastating consequences of kidnapping on Nigerian society.
Speaking to newsmen in Ilorin, the state commissioner for communications, Bola Olukoju, said the first film of the state film school, Sugar Factory film studios, titled ‘Ajuwaya’, had a total of 1,211 people on set.
The commissioner, who said the production of the film was a big victory for the state, added that 712 people on the set of the film had acquired residency in the state.
Featuring notable actors such as Desmond Elliot, Keppy Ekpeyong, Femi Adebayo, Tina Mba, Segun Arinze, Monalisa Chinda, among others, Olukoju said the production of Ajuwaya was supported with a N350 million grant from the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative programme.
“45 percent of Nollywood’s population is from Kwara State. And that is what we attacked. What is being celebrated in Kwara State is a whole new ecosystem of the creative industry as production was done in a controlled environment where economic activities and job opportunities were opened up for fashion designers, carpenters, technicians, caterers, drivers and makeup artists to develop their trades,” Olukoju said.
Sugar Factory Film Studios CEO Olagbenga Titiloye also said the production of the film was “a collaborative symphony of public leadership, private sector dynamism, artistic bravery and community support, all playing harmonious roles.
“The Ajuwaya project is a model of what is possible when government, philanthropy and industry align towards a common goal: cultivating local talent, generating employment and reinforcing our cultural identity on regional and global stages.”
Olagbenga, who praised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his willingness to champion a film studio in Nigeria, said the effort “demonstrates not only a bold strategic mind but also a deep faith in our people and their talent.
“It is through that foresight and determination that we have reached this moment: a state-backed effort that fosters art, innovation and economic vitality.
“We also express our gratitude to Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Initiative. Their collaboration and generosity, embodied in the grant that helped Sugar Factory Studios make its first film, Ajuwaya, embody the very spirit of national renewal: investing in our creative economy, empowering filmmakers and inspiring the next generation to dream big.
“This grant is more than funding, it is a sign, a beacon and a promise that Nigeria will not only tell its stories but export them with pride and excellence.”
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