For any film industry, an Oscar nomination is the ultimate global recognition – a validation of artistry, storytelling, and technical excellence. For Nollywood, it’s more than that; it’s a deeply cherished national aspiration, a symbol of our film industry finally taking its rightful place on the world stage. As 2025 unfolds, the question on many lips is: Is this the year Nigeria Oscar dream finally comes true?
The journey to the Academy Awards has been a challenging but determined one for Nigeria. Our filmmakers and the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) are pushing harder than ever to break through. Let’s look at the current buzz, the hurdles, and the hope for Nollywood to make history at the Oscars.
The 2025 Contender: “Mai Martaba” Carries the Torch
For the 97th Academy Awards (held in March 2025), Nigeria officially selected the epic Hausa film “Mai Martaba“ as its contender for the International Feature Film (IFF) category. Directed by Prince Daniel, this grand historical drama delves into themes of power, love, and betrayal within an ancient African kingdom. Shot on location in Daura, Katsina State, “Mai Martaba” aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage and cinematic ambition from Northern Nigeria.
Its selection by the NOSC was a testament to its strong visual and technical execution, and its relevant themes of inclusive leadership and diverse voices. “Mai Martaba” truly carried the hopes of a nation, eager to see our stories resonate with Academy voters.
The Uphill Battle: Understanding the Challenges
While the desire is strong, Nigeria’s Oscar journey has faced significant hurdles over the years:
- Language Barrier & The “Lionheart” Lesson: Nigeria’s first-ever submission, Genevieve Nnaji’s “Lionheart” (for the 92nd Oscars in 2020), was famously disqualified for having too much English dialogue. The Academy’s rule requires International Feature Films to be “predominantly non-English.” This ruling sparked a global debate and led to the Academy clarifying its stance on “foreign language,” eventually even allowing Pidgin English. However, it highlighted a crucial learning curve for Nollywood.
- Visibility and Campaigning: Making a great film is one thing; getting it seen by Academy voters is another. Unlike other countries that invest heavily in strategic marketing and lobbying campaigns in Hollywood, Nigeria’s efforts have historically fallen short. Films, even when selected, often lack the necessary push to be screened, discussed, and considered by a broad base of Academy members. The “visibility problem” is a significant barrier.
- Consistency in Selection & Standards: The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) has faced internal challenges and controversies regarding selections, with instances where no film was deemed eligible in certain years despite strong contenders existing. Maintaining consistent, high standards in submissions and selection processes is vital.
- Funding for Campaigns: Oscar campaigns are incredibly expensive, involving screenings, Q&As, advertising in trade publications, and direct engagement with Academy members. Nollywood, while growing, often lacks the dedicated, consistent funding required to compete at this level compared to other nations.
Why This Push is So Important: National Pride & Global Recognition
Despite the challenges, the continuous effort to get an Oscar nomination is crucial for Nollywood and Nigeria:
- National Pride: It’s a huge source of pride. An Oscar nomination would validate decades of hard work and passion within the industry, signaling that Nigerian storytelling belongs on the biggest global stages.
- Increased Investment: Recognition at this level can attract more international investors, distributors, and collaborators, leading to more high-quality productions and further growth for the industry.
- Global Cultural Soft Power: Every time a Nigerian film is submitted, it puts our culture, languages, and unique narratives in front of a global audience, expanding Nigeria’s soft power and promoting a deeper understanding of our diverse heritage.
- Inspiration for Filmmakers: It inspires a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers to aim higher, to craft stories with universal appeal while maintaining local authenticity and cinematic excellence.
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As 2025 unfolds, the conversation around “Mai Martaba” and future submissions continues. While the path to an Oscar nomination is tough, Nollywood’s ambition is undeniable. Every effort, every film submitted, is a step closer to that historic moment when Nigeria’s cinematic brilliance finally shines on the Academy Awards stage, proving that our stories are not just for us, but for the entire world.
