Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has raised concerns over the long-standing neglect of the Tinapa Film Village in Calabar, calling for urgent action to restore the once-promising project to its original purpose.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Silva lamented that Tinapa, which was initially envisioned as a hub for filmmaking, tourism, and entertainment, now lies in a state of abandonment with its world-class facilities wasting away.
“Tinapa was built to be Nigeria’s Hollywood. It had sound stages, studios, and accommodation facilities for filmmakers. But today, it’s a ghost of its promise,” Silva said. “It breaks my heart because that place had the potential to transform our film industry and create jobs for thousands of young Nigerians.”
Originally conceived in the early 2000s, the Tinapa Film Village was designed to position Cross River State as a center for creativity and economic expansion. However, years of underfunding and neglect have left it in disrepair.
Silva stressed that restoring Tinapa should go beyond infrastructure development, explaining that it symbolizes a dream that once inspired the entire African creative industry.
“If we can breathe life into Tinapa again, we can revive the heartbeat of Nollywood in the South-South region,” she said. “It could attract global investors, filmmakers, and tourists. But it requires vision, political will, and strong public-private collaboration.”
Her remarks come ahead of the Cross River International Investment Summit, scheduled to take place from November 17 to 19 in London. The summit, themed “Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Sustainable Growth with the People’s First Agenda,” aims to attract investors, engage the diaspora, and spotlight key sectors including tourism, ICT, renewable energy, and the creative industries — all central to Tinapa’s original vision.
Mr. Ignatius Oli, Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee, said the summit seeks to position Cross River as a top investment destination in West Africa.
“This summit is not just about attracting funds. It’s about building partnerships that align with Governor Otu’s People’s First Agenda and promote sustainable growth,” Oli said.
Registration details for the summit are available via https://cridcom.crossriverstate.gov.ng/crs-investment-summit.
Similarly, Mr. Otu Okor, Chairman of the Cross River Diaspora Commission, described the summit as a turning point for diaspora-driven investment in the state’s economy.
“Our people in the diaspora are not spectators; they are vital partners in the state’s transformation agenda. The creative economy, including projects like Tinapa, will be a major discussion point at the summit,” Okor said.
Femi Oyelade, Creative Director of Say It Loud Africa, added that adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model could help transform Tinapa into a vibrant creative city powered by local talent and foreign investment.
Observers believe Silva’s call aligns with Cross River’s renewed efforts to attract investment into its creative and tourism sectors. Many say reviving Tinapa could once again position the state as a major film and tourism hub, while also boosting economic growth and youth employment.
