Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma has asserted that women are the dominant force in the country’s entertainment industry, contrary to ongoing complaints about inequality. Bovi made the claim during an appearance on the TVC talk show Your View, where he argued that women have already conquered significant ground in the entertainment world but often fail to recognize their achievements due to their ongoing fight for gender equality.
“Women need to understand that in areas where they are fighting for equality, sometimes they may have already won,” Bovi said. He pointed out that women now hold influential positions across various sectors of the entertainment industry, citing examples from both past and present.
The comedian highlighted major milestones achieved by women, including Funke Akindele, whose films have become box office hits, and Mo Abudu, another leading figure in the industry. He also mentioned renowned producers and directors like Bolanle Austin-Peters, Kemi Adetiba, and Jade Osiberu, alongside the success of the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), organized by Chioma Ude.
“These women are some of the biggest producers and directors in the industry,” Bovi said. “The biggest box office hit is Funke Akindele. The second biggest is Mo Abudu. These are women who are calling the shots in an industry that is often viewed as male-dominated.”
Bovi also addressed the ongoing issue of sexual harassment, where some female actors have accused male producers of demanding sex in exchange for roles. He expressed surprise that many women still raise such complaints, given that women hold many powerful positions within the industry. “When I see young girls complaining about male producers demanding sex for roles, I ask, ‘Who have you spoken to? Women own the industry.’”
His remarks have sparked discussions about gender dynamics in the Nigerian entertainment space, with many debating whether women have truly gained equality or if there are still significant hurdles left to overcome.
Bovi’s comments underscore the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, where women continue to rise to top positions as actors, directors, producers, and influencers. However, they also highlight the complexities of gender equality, as women remain vocal about the challenges they still face, including issues of harassment and recognition.
