Veteran actor and filmmaker Ramsey Nouah has dismissed the idea of separating Nigeria’s film industry into “old” and “new” Nollywood, saying the distinction is misleading and unnecessary. He made the remarks during an appearance on Isbae U’s YouTube interview show, Curiosity Made Me Ask, where he reflected on his career and the industry’s development.
Nouah challenged the premise that Nollywood should be split into separate eras, noting that other major film industries are not commonly described in that way. He referenced classic Hollywood films such as The Godfather and The Sound of Music to argue that works produced decades apart still belong to the same industry. Nouah reiterated his view with the statement, “Honestly, there’s no new and old Nollywood. It’s the same Nollywood.”
The actor stressed that many of the people working in the industry remain the same across generations, including actors, directors, producers and other filmmakers, and that the industry’s evolution should be seen as continuity rather than a rupture. He also urged younger actors and filmmakers to learn the industry’s history, a perspective he said is important for building on what came before.
During the conversation Nouah reflected on how his early romantic roles shaped his public image as a “lover boy” and described some career moments that drew strong public attention. He spoke about his work on the 2016 historical drama 76, and he briefly recalled a past motorcycle accident that was reported widely in the media. Nouah also shared personal background details, saying his father is Lebanese and his mother is from Ondo State, and that he was born and raised in Lagos.
Nouah’s comments underscore an ongoing conversation within Nigerian cinema about identity, generational change and the language used to discuss creative progress. By rejecting a binary between old and new, he framed Nollywood as a single, adaptive industry shaped by many contributors over decades. For industry observers and practitioners, the remarks are a reminder to balance celebration of fresh approaches with awareness of the films and professionals that built the sector.
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