Expositions of civil unrest and militancy in Nigerian films: an analysis of <i>oloibiri</i>

Abstract

Understanding the political economy of Nigeria is needed to reveal the root causes of its many ethnic, religious, economic, and political problems. The pressures now weighing on Nigeria could literally fracture the state along deep fault lines if rampant corruption continues. There has been much hue and cry about militancy in some Nigerian video films of late. It appears that most people (Africans and non-Africans) now perceive Nigerians as very violent people considering the avalanche of militancy that play out in most films that emanate from Nigeria. Nollywood is further gaining popularity due to its transformations, which bear resemblances to the processes of gentrification and representation. The case study approach of the qualitative research method has been employed in engaging an analysis of the Expositions of Civil Unrest and Militancy in Nigerian Films. The paper adopts frustration-aggression and social exclusion theories as proposed by Dollard, Doob, Miller, Mower, and Sears as major theoretical constructs. The study also extends the argument that some Nigerian filmmakers are as responsive to national and historic issues as their counterparts in other artistic endeavours and also examines the portrayals of militancy in Nollywood films. A close study of Oloibiri reveals the anxieties and aspirations of filmmakers who re-imagine the politics of oil exploration as it influences the Nigerian people.