LagosExplorer reports: Former Big Brother Naija housemate and Nollywood actor, Pere Egbi, has stirred a storm within Nigeria’s entertainment space after declaring that South Africa is now ahead of Nollywood in filmmaking. Pere made the controversial statement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, August 18, 2025, insisting that Nigeria’s movie industry must learn and collaborate more with South African creatives if it hopes to catch up.
According to Pere, South Africa has overtaken Nigeria not just in technical production quality but also in storytelling, work ethics, and overall filmmaking craft. His words immediately triggered heated reactions online, with some fans accusing him of downplaying Nollywood’s global achievements while others hailed his honesty as a needed wake-up call for Africa’s largest film industry.
The actor, who has featured in several Nollywood projects since leaving the BBNaija house, stressed that collaboration is the key to progress. “South Africa is ahead of us in filmmaking, and it’s time we start working closely with them. The quality of their storytelling and production is world class,” he said, warning that Nollywood must evolve to remain competitive.
His comments have since gone viral, sparking conversations about the future of Nollywood at a time when Nigerian films are gaining wider recognition on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other international streaming platforms.
Entertainment analysts suggest that Pere’s blunt statement may actually open the door for more partnerships between Nigerian and South African filmmakers, a move that could strengthen Africa’s film industry as a whole. As debates rage on, one thing is clear: Pere Egbi’s remarks have reignited an urgent conversation about Nollywood’s place in the global film market.