Nigeria Film Crew Community Speaks Out Against Bullying and Abuse on Set

NFCC Condemns Violence on Nollywood Set, Calls for Industry-Wide Accountability

The Nigeria Film Crew Community (NFCC) has taken a powerful stand against bullying and abuse within Nollywood’s production ecosystem, issuing a bold statement that has reignited conversations around respect, professionalism, and safety on film sets.

The outcry follows a disturbing incident that reportedly occurred on October 28, 2025, during the filming of Lagos to Opulence, a production by Caddilly Productions.

According to the NFCC’s official statement, the Production Manager, Anierobi Courage popularly known as Nwa South allegedly assaulted Mary Chizzy Eze, the Head of Makeup and Hair Department.

The organization revealed that it received video evidence showing Courage physically attacking and strangling Eze after she reportedly spoke up against the mistreatment of crew members. Following the viral video, Courage was arrested, and the victim has since received medical care.

In its statement, the NFCC condemned the act in the strongest terms, describing it as “inexcusable, unprofessional, and criminal.”

“The role of a Production Manager is to ensure the welfare, safety, and comfort of the entire cast and crew,” the statement read. “A good production manager protects his team, not harms them. This individual chose to do the exact opposite, turning violent and animalistic against the very people he was responsible for managing.”

Beyond the physical assault, the NFCC highlighted disturbing welfare concerns, revealing that 15 female crew members were forced to share a single room on the same set a situation it described as “a gross violation of human dignity.”

“We strongly condemn this violent and animalistic behavior and the inhumane accommodation conditions on the same set,” the NFCC added. “This level of disregard for human dignity is unacceptable. We stand firmly against all forms of abuse, assault, and crew maltreatment.”

The community urged major film bodies including the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Active Movie Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (AMPMAN), and the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) to take swift disciplinary action by blacklisting Anierobi Courage from all productions.

Their social media post read:

“Production Manager @anierobi.courage has been arrested for physically assaulting the Head of Makeup & Hair on set, caught on video strangling her. The victim is receiving medical care. This act is unprofessional, criminal, and inexcusable. Violence has no place in our industry. Respect is not negotiable.”

A Growing Pattern of On-Set Violence

This incident adds to a growing list of on-set altercations within Nollywood. Just months earlier, veteran actor Femi Branch was accused of assaulting an Assistant Director during a film shoot in Lagos.

According to multiple eyewitnesses and video clips, a routine disagreement escalated when Branch allegedly insulted and slapped the crew member after being questioned about filming logistics. In protest, the crew locked the set’s gate, demanding an apology before production could resume.

Such repeated incidents have fueled renewed calls for stronger regulations and enforceable codes of conduct across Nigeria’s film industry.

Crew members often the unsung heroes behind every successful production have long decried poor welfare, lack of respect, and unsafe working conditions, even as Nollywood continues to gain international recognition.

A Turning Point for Nollywood

The NFCC’s latest statement could mark a turning point a collective call for accountability and a safer, more humane work environment.

“Enough is enough,” the NFCC declared. “Violence has no place in our industry. Respect and safety are not negotiable.”

As conversations continue online and within professional associations, one message rings clear: the era of silence and tolerance for abuse in Nollywood must end.

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