Kwara Govt Completes N290m Nollywood Movie ‘Ajuwaya’ To Address Kidnapping
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Kwara State Government has completed the production of a ₦290 million Nollywood movie series aimed at shedding light on the devastating impact of kidnapping in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, the State Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, announced that the debut film“Ajuwaya” produced by the state-owned Sugar Factory Film Studios, featured a total of 1,211 cast and crew members, with 712 of them now residing in Kwara State.
Describing the production as a significant achievement for the state, Olukoju noted that the film received ₦350 million in funding from the Renewed Hope Initiative, a programme led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The film features a star-studded cast including Desmond Elliot, Keppy Ekpenyong, Femi Adebayo, Tina Mba, Segun Arinze, and Monalisa Chinda, among others.
“About 45% of Nollywood practitioners are from Kwara State,” Olukoju said. “We built on that strength to create an entire creative ecosystem here. The production was carried out in a controlled environment that created economic opportunities for local professionals—fashion designers, carpenters, caterers, drivers, technicians, makeup artists, and more—to grow their businesses.”
Also speaking, the General Manager of Sugar Factory Studios, Olagbenga Titiloye, described Ajuwaya as “a collaborative symphony of public leadership, private sector dynamism, artistic courage, and community support.”
He praised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his vision in establishing the film studio, calling it a bold move that demonstrates “deep faith in our people and their talent.”
“This project is a testament to what’s possible when government, philanthropy, and industry unite,” Titiloye said. “It showcases our commitment to cultivating homegrown talent, generating employment, and reinforcing our cultural identity—both locally and globally.”
Titiloye also extended gratitude to the First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative for their support.
“This grant is more than just funding—it is a powerful signal that Nigeria is ready not only to tell its own stories, but to share them with pride and excellence on the world stage,” he said.
