Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has raised concerns over what he described as the declining representation of Igbo culture, history and heritage in contemporary Nigerian cinema.

Duru said the issue goes beyond the availability of talented Igbo actors and filmmakers, arguing that the major challenge is the failure of stakeholders to deliberately invest in, preserve and promote stories rooted in Igbo identity.

The actor made the remarks during an interview on Gbam, aired on the Yan Content Factory YouTube channel on Friday.

According to Duru, the growing visibility of Yoruba-centric productions on major cinema platforms and international streaming services should serve as a lesson for Igbo filmmakers and investors.

He said regional stakeholders must recognise the importance of controlling and promoting their own narratives rather than expecting outsiders to preserve their cultural heritage.

“When they say charity begins at home, that’s what has happened to the Yorubas. We need to learn from them. If you don’t protect your own, if you don’t project your own, who will do it?” he said.

Duru expressed disappointment that major Igbo historical figures, writers and cultural traditions have not received sufficient cinematic attention despite the abundance of stories capable of attracting both Nigerian and international audiences.

“We have how many great men in Nigeria? When was the last time you saw the epic of one of these great men?” he asked.

The actor also criticised the failure of some early Nollywood stakeholders to build sustainable structures around the industry, saying many producers and marketers were more focused on immediate financial returns than developing the sector for the long term.

“They were just merchandising. Not passion. They just wanted to make money,” Duru said, adding that the pursuit of control and quick profits contributed to the loss of influence by some of the pioneers of the industry.

He further called for a return to professionalism in filmmaking, arguing that the quality and enduring appeal of older Nollywood productions were partly the result of careful auditions, rehearsals, casting and adherence to established procedures.

Duru, however, clarified that he does not consider the rise of new content creators a threat to Nollywood.

Rather, he described the changing landscape as an expansion of the industry, but urged veteran filmmakers and industry custodians to provide leadership by restoring professional ethics and standards.

The actor maintained that preserving cultural identity through film requires deliberate planning, financial commitment and a willingness by stakeholders to develop stories that can stand the test of time.

He urged Igbo filmmakers, investors and cultural custodians to seize emerging opportunities in cinema and streaming platforms before more of their historical narratives are told by others.