Filmmaker and producer, Rogba Arimoro, has called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s film and television industry, urging creators to move beyond the traditional commission-driven production model towards building scalable intellectual property capable of competing in global markets.
For years, Nigeria’s broadcast ecosystem has largely operated on a structure in which broadcasters finance productions, while producers deliver completed projects, with long-term ownership and commercial value often remaining with the commissioning platform.
However, changes in the global entertainment landscape driven by streaming services, international co-productions and new financing mechanisms are pushing Nigerian creators to rethink how their stories are developed, financed and distributed.
Arimoro said the industry is entering a phase where creators must focus not only on producing content but also on retaining and structuring intellectual property in ways that allow it to expand beyond a single market.
According to him, the future of the sector will depend on how well producers can position their projects for cross-border distribution and long-term value creation.
“We’re moving into a phase where creators have to think beyond production and into ownership about how intellectual property is built, financed and positioned across markets,” he said.
The producer, known for his work in commissioned television projects, has been involved in developing long-form series within Nigeria’s broadcast landscape.
In recent years, however, his focus has increasingly shifted towards packaging projects that align with global financing and distribution frameworks.
This direction became evident during his participation at MIP London, where his legal drama series, Ivory Esq., was selected for the Best of Africa Pitch. The platform brought him into direct engagement with international buyers, distributors and potential co-production partners.
Arimoro said the experience highlighted the importance of structuring projects in ways that make them adaptable across territories.
“It’s not just about the story anymore. It’s about how that story is packaged, the rights structure behind it and how it can travel across different markets,” he said.
Beyond television, the filmmaker is also expanding into feature film production. His upcoming project, The Wrench, supported by a grant from Africa No Filter, is currently in post-production and is being positioned for international film festivals and cross-border distribution.
He explained that the project reflects a deliberate effort to engage with financing and distribution models that extend beyond local broadcast systems.
“With The Wrench, the goal is to engage more directly with international financing and distribution pathways, not just local broadcast systems,” he added.
Industry observers say such efforts mirror a broader transformation within Nigeria’s creative sector, where producers are increasingly exploring rights retention, co-production agreements and content development strategies that allow projects to scale across multiple platforms and markets.
Arimoro’s television drama, Mother of the Brides, which he created and directed, reflects this evolving approach. The series examines the social and emotional dynamics surrounding marriage in contemporary Nigeria, using wedding culture as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, power and generational expectations.
The production recently secured nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026, including Best Scripted M-Net Original, with veteran actress Gloria Young also nominated for Best Lead Actress.
While the recognition highlights the growing reach of the series, Arimoro said the broader objective remains to develop projects that can exist beyond a single platform or territory.
As Nigeria’s creative industry continues to expand, analysts say the ability to combine storytelling with business strategy, financing and global market access will become increasingly important.
For emerging and established producers alike, the challenge now lies in transforming locally driven productions into globally viable intellectual property capable of sustaining long-term growth in the sector.
Credit: ThisDay
