The Kwara State Government has completed production of Ajuwaya, a N290 million Nollywood movie series aimed at spotlighting the harrowing impact of kidnapping in Nigerian society.
The project marks the debut production of the state-owned Sugar Factory Film Studios.
Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, described the production as a major milestone for the state’s creative industry. She disclosed that a total of 1,211 individuals were involved in the project, with 712 of them now having acquired residency in Kwara State.
Olukoju emphasized the scale and significance of the initiative, noting its contribution to economic activity and skill development in the state, according to Tribune.
“Forty-five per cent of people in Nollywood are from Kwara State. And that’s what we lashed on. A whole new ecosystem of the creative industry is what’s being celebrated in Kwara State, as the production was done in a controlled environment where economic activities and job opportunities were opened up for fashion designers, carpenters, technicians, caterers, drivers, make-up artists, to develop their trades,” she said.
The film features several high-profile Nollywood actors, including Desmond Elliot, Keppy Ekpeyong, Femi Adebayo, Tina Mba, Segun Arinze, and Monalisa Chinda. According to the commissioner, Ajuwaya was supported by a N350 million grant from the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
General Manager of Sugar Factory Film Studios, Olagbenga Titiloye, described the production as a “collaborative symphony of public leadership, private sector dynamism, artistic courage, and community support, all playing harmonious parts.”
He praised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s vision and commitment to the film industry, saying it reflected belief in local talent and the creative economy. “It is through that foresight and resolve that we have arrived at this moment: a state-backed endeavour that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality,” he said.
Titiloye also extended gratitude to the First Lady for her support through the Renewed Hope Initiative. “Your partnership and generosity, embodied by the grant that helped Sugar Factory Studios shoot its debut movie, Ajuwaya, embody the very spirit of national renewal: investing in our creative economy, empowering filmmakers, and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.
“This grant is more than funding; it is a signal, a beacon, and a pledge that Nigeria will not only tell its stories but export them with pride and excellence,” he added.
