Africa's first film city

In Lagos, a vast patch of scrubland is being imagined as the future home of Kebulania: an ambitious African film city on the edge of Nigeria’s biggest metropolis, and one of the centres of Nollywood, the country’s multi-billion dollar film industry.

Nigerian journalist Samuel Okocha follows the project in its earliest, most uncertain days – when the vision is big, but the buildings are yet to rise. At the proposed site, he joins community members, contractors and staff from Del-York Creative Arts, a Nigerian conglomerate film and media training company, as traditional leaders offer prayers and blessings. Local residents weigh up hopes for jobs, training, renewed movie making activity and authentic African storytelling.

Samuel tours the landscape and visits the local royal palace, the traditional seat of authority for the host community. He also sits in on the latest planning meeting, as the team discuss the delicate issue of communication and keep the community and stakeholders on side in this huge and ambitious project.

The CEO of Del-York, Linus Idahosa, outlines his personal motivations, mission and long-term plans, including how the project is already investing in training a new generation of creative Nigerians. Finally, Samuel sees the film makers already being put through their paces ahead of the building of Africa’s first ever film city.

Presenter: Samuel Okocha
Producer: Ashley Byrne

A Made in Manchester Production for the BBC World Service

Image: Concept illustration of Studio City Kebulania (Credit: Storyland Studios)