Silva calls to revive Tinapa Film Village, highlighting its potential to boost Nollywood, tourism, and economic growth in Cross River State
Revive Tinapa Film Village has become a clarion call from industry executive Silva, who lamented the current dormancy of Nigeria’s once-promising creative hub.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Silva noted that Tinapa, conceived as a hub for film-making, tourism, and entertainment, now suffers from underutilisation and decay.
“Tinapa was built to be Nigeria’s Hollywood. It had world-class studios, sound stages, and accommodation for film-makers. But today, it’s a ghost of its promise,” she said.
“It breaks my heart because that place had the potential to transform our film industry and create jobs for thousands of young Nigerians.”
Tinapa Film Village, established in the early 2000s in Cross River State, was envisioned as a creative and economic powerhouse for the South-South region. Yet, years of neglect and insufficient funding have left it largely idle.
Silva emphasised that reviving Tinapa should go beyond repairing infrastructure. “If we can breathe life into Tinapa again, we can revive the heartbeat of Nollywood in the South-South region.
It could attract global investors, film-makers and tourists. But it requires vision, political will and public-private collaboration,” she stated.
Her comments precede the Cross River International Investment Summit, scheduled for November 17 to 19, 2025, in London, UK.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Sustainable Growth with the People’s First Agenda,” aims to engage investors, the diaspora, and spotlight sectors including tourism, ICT, renewable energy, and creative industries — all linked to Tinapa’s original vision.
Ignatius Oli, Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee, stressed that the summit seeks not just to attract funds but to forge sustainable partnerships aligned with Governor Bassey Otu’s agenda.
“Our people in the diaspora are not spectators. They are vital partners in the state’s transformation agenda. The creative economy, including projects like Tinapa, will be a major discussion point,” he said.
Creative Director Femi Oyelade added that a public-private partnership model could transform Tinapa into a thriving creative city, combining local expertise with foreign investment.
Observers believe that reviving Tinapa could re-establish Cross River State as a major Nollywood and tourism hub, boosting economic growth and providing employment opportunities for youth.
Business3 years ago
