BigEyeComedy.com is back with another blockbuster update and no, this time it’s not a skit, it’s not a music beef, and it’s not another Instagram live session gone wrong. It’s real, it’s big, and it smells like film reels, red carpets, and… bureaucracy?
That’s right. The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially thrown its weight behind the grand opening of the KAP Film Village and Resort, an ambitious, high-budget project backed by none other than filmmaker, cinematographer, and director extraordinaire Kunle Afolayan.
This isn’t your typical celebrity ribbon cutting. This is a serious, potentially game-changing move that could shift the landscape of Nollywood, redefine tourism in Nigeria, and if they play their scenes right actually create jobs that don’t involve being an extra in someone’s skit. Let’s roll the tape.
What Is the KAP Film Village?
First, for those of you who’ve only just emerged from under a rock, or maybe you’ve been too focused on Portable’s prison saga fair enough, KAP Film Village and Resort is a 40 acre film, hospitality, and tourism complex located in Komu, Oyo State.
The brainchild of award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, the facility is designed to be a full-fledged ecosystem for movie production, entertainment, leisure, and training.
And we’re not talking one little building with a ring light and a tripod. We’re talking about:
Multiple film sound stages
A fully equipped post-production hub
Outdoor film sets that mimic traditional Yoruba villages
Luxury lodges and villas for guests and film crews
Training centers under the KAP Academy banner
A cinema, restaurant, and amphitheater
And because this is Nigeria a bar and bush meat joint (allegedly)
Basically, Kunle Afolayan said, “Why should Hollywood have all the fun?” and decided to bring Cannes to Komu.
The Federal Government Enters the Scene
Now here’s the part that elevates this from “ambitious personal project” to “national relevance”: the Federal Government is backing it.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, recently visited the site and gave a glowing endorsement, calling the initiative “a shining example of what creative industry partnership with government should look like.”
She was joined by reps from the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), industry stakeholders, and some very sharply dressed aides who probably thought they were on the set of Aníkúlápó 2.
Why This Matters (Like, Really Matters)
We joke a lot on BigEyeComedy.com, but let’s be honest this is big.
Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world by volume, but it has long been plagued by logistical nightmares: poor infrastructure, inconsistent electricity, lack of professional facilities, and budget constraints that make even a Naira Marley video look like a Marvel production.
What KAP Film Village promises is a centralized, fully functional, and locally inspired solution to those problems. Think about it: instead of flying to Cape Town or renting overpriced gear in Lagos, a filmmaker could just check into Komu and start rolling.
The Government’s Creative Economy Agenda
Under the current administration, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has been pushing hard to transform Nigeria’s creative sector into a major GDP contributor.
Minister Musawa has spoken repeatedly about Nigeria’s “soft power” potential the idea that music, film, fashion, and art can be economic exports just as powerful as oil and agriculture.
Supporting KAP Film Village fits perfectly into that narrative. It’s a tangible project with jobs, infrastructure, and an exportable product: stories.
And as we all know, Nigerians have no shortage of stories. Some are even true.
Job Creation: From Set Designers to Jollof Suppliers
One of the most tangible benefits of this initiative is job creation. According to preliminary estimates, the KAP Film Village could create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
We’re talking:
Set designers
Costume makers
Cinematographers
Editors
Makeup artists
Tour guides
Caterers
Local transport providers
Jollof rice suppliers (who we believe should be unionized immediately)
And with an ongoing training partnership with Netflix and KAP Academy, there’s also a pipeline for young creatives to learn the craft in a structured environment—without having to beg their uncle for a slot on a music video shoot.
A Tourism Boost in the Making
Here’s the twist Nollywood never saw coming: Komu, Oyo State, might be the next Nigerian tourist hot spot.
Minister Musawa emphasized how projects like this help “rural revitalization” by drawing visitors to areas that would otherwise remain underdeveloped. Imagine flying into Ibadan and taking a film-themed road trip to Komu, complete with movie screenings, bush bar delicacies, and celebrity sightings.
It’s a tourism dream—assuming the roads cooperate. (Fashola, over to you.)
Kunle Afolayan: The Visionary Director Turned Real Estate Mogul?
Let’s give this man his flowers. Kunle Afolayan is not just directing films he’s directing the future of Nigerian cinema.
He’s taken his reputation, built on films like The Figurine, October 1, and Aníkúlápó, and turned it into a blueprint for sustainable growth in the creative industry. While other filmmakers are renting sets, he’s building entire villages.
At the opening, he said, “This is not just about movies. This is about preserving our culture, empowering our people, and showing the world the beauty of Nigeria through our own lens.”
That’s deep. That’s powerful. That’s dare we say Oscar-worthy.
But Let’s Be Real: Can This Actually Work?
Ah yes, the Nigerian skepticism. It’s our birthright.
We’ve seen big launches before. We’ve clapped for ribbon cuttings that never led to functioning businesses. So naturally, there are some real concerns:
Will the government keep supporting long-term?
Can this village generate enough commercial activity to stay afloat?
Will politicians try to hijack it for photo ops and campaign jingles?
Will NEPA let them be great?
Kunle Afolayan has promised that the entire facility will be solar-powered and eco-sustainable, so at least he’s planning ahead. But still, this is Nigeria. Anything can happen. That’s why it’s not Nollywood if there’s no plot twist.
Reactions from the Industry
Top filmmakers like Mo Abudu, Tunde Kelani, and Kemi Adetiba have all expressed support, saying the KAP Film Village could set a new benchmark for how local productions are executed.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming actors and creatives on X (formerly Twitter) are already pitching their tents, metaphorically and literally:
“How do I apply to be the village hunter in like 5 movies?”
“Will there be Wi-Fi? Asking for an influencer friend.”
“Can KAP Film Village accommodate ghost scenes? Nollywood must represent all.”
As always, the memes are flowing, and everyone wants a piece of Komu now.
Final Scene: The Dawn of Nollywood’s Golden Era?
We’ve clowned on enough government projects over the years here at BigEyeComedy.com, but this one? It actually looks promising.
With a serious director at the helm, proper support from the Ministry of Arts, and a clear economic and cultural vision, KAP Film Village could be the project that redefines how Nigeria tells its stories.
More jobs. Better films. Tourism revival. And most importantly a chance for creatives to win without moving to Canada.
So, here’s to Kunle Afolayan, the FG, and the 40 acres of possibility in Komu. We’re watching closely. From the sidelines, with popcorn, jollof, and a pen in hand ready to report whatever drama comes next.
Because this is Nigeria. The movie never ends.
