From Music to Movies: JJC Skillz Opens Up on His Nollywood Journey and Industry Challenges

Popular Nigerian filmmaker and former musician JJC Skillz has shed light on his transition from the music scene to Nollywood, while also voicing strong concerns about the struggles faced by filmmakers in Nigeria.

Speaking in a candid interview on Channels TV, JJC explained that his decision to leave music for film came with age and passion.

“As far back as I can remember, I have been shooting music videos for years. Even my We Are Africans video, I shot that myself. But after doing African Gang in 2011, I realised I was getting too old for the young scene, so I knew it was time to evolve. I packed my bags and moved into Nollywood. I was very passionate about telling stories,” he revealed.

Despite his previous success in the UK with groups like Big Brovaz and JJC & the 419 Squad, he noted that breaking into Nollywood wasn’t easy. “I was a JJC (newbie). I didn’t grow up with most of the filmmakers in Nigeria, so some doors were closed. There are gatekeepers at all levels,” he said.

Thankfully, notable figures like Deyemi Okanlawon and Funke Akindele believed in him and supported his journey into filmmaking.

The Harsh Realities of Nollywood’s Business

While JJC Skillz has gone on to direct successful projects like Industreet, Jenifa’s Diary, and the blockbuster Omo Ghetto: The Saga, he lamented the severe financial struggles Nigerian filmmakers face due to cinema revenue sharing and heavy taxation.

“It’s a situation of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. We put in a lot of work. Sometimes the cinemas take 70 per cent, other times 60 per cent, and after paying 22 per cent tax, we’re left with nothing,” he explained, adding that filmmakers are forced to not only produce but also market their movies with little to no support from distributors.

The exit of streaming giants from Nigeria has worsened the situation. “The hope for a better day was with streaming companies, but they’ve left. So now we’re back to asking, ‘if we put our money into it, will we get it back?’ At the end of the day, it’s a business, and creativity is getting killed,” he added.

JJC also stressed the need for Nigerian filmmakers to deliver value to audiences, even revealing that he once marketed his film with a money-back guarantee if viewers weren’t satisfied.

Opinion: Nollywood’s Growth Hinges on Structure, Not Just Talent

JJC’s story is more than a personal journey—it mirrors the struggles of many filmmakers who pour their hearts into creating but are crippled by structural imbalances in the industry. Nollywood is overflowing with talent and passion, yet systemic issues like unfair revenue sharing, weak distribution, and lack of support make sustainability a nightmare.

His call for value-driven filmmaking is valid; audiences deserve quality. But quality thrives when creators are supported, not suffocated. If filmmakers continue to risk their life savings with little chance of recouping costs, creativity will shrink, and Nollywood’s progress may stall.

JJC’s evolution from music to film proves that passion can fuel reinvention. Yet, unless Nigeria’s entertainment ecosystem becomes fairer and more supportive, even the brightest talents may struggle to shine.

For Nollywood to reach its full global potential, the industry must find a balance between art and commerce—one where the “monkey” not only works but also eats.