At Film Lab Africa: Creative Hustle, filmmaker Kayode Kasum framed the future of Nollywood around the ability to solve problems.
Speaking during a panel with Uche Ikejimba and Victor Sanchez Aghahowa on positioning creatives for 2026, the director and producer pointed to a growing need within the industry for individuals who can adapt quickly and respond to the realities of production.
“The industry needs problem solvers because we’re still growing,” he said. “There are so many challenges… we’re looking for people who can take difficult situations and turn them into magic.”
Kasum’s remarks reflect the everyday constraints of filmmaking, where shifting locations, limited resources, and unexpected changes often require on-the-spot decisions. For him, the difference between a good creative and a valuable one lies in how they respond under those conditions.
“If you’re an actor and what you envisioned isn’t what you meet on set, can you still deliver?” he asked. “If you’re a director and a location changes on the spot, can you still elevate the material? If you’re a writer and a scene has to change, do you adapt or do you let your emotions take over?”
His emphasis on flexibility comes at a time when the industry is expanding across cinema and streaming platforms, with increasing demand for efficiency across productions. According to Kasum, this environment rewards collaborators who reduce friction rather than add to it.
“Everybody wants to be on set with someone who makes the work easy,” he said. “People always remember problem solvers.”
Beyond the panel, Kasum is currently preparing for the release of Ajosepo 2, a sequel he admits he approached with caution.
“I’m really not a fan of sequels,” he said. “But we worked hard with everyone involved to make sure we made a film people will enjoy.”
That attention to process extends to his broader evolution as a filmmaker. Reflecting on his journey, Kasum described himself as “a student of the game”, emphasising continuous learning and the gradual shift from working independently to building structured collaborations.
“You can only go so far alone,” he said. “You go further with people.”
His comments align with a wider conversation at Film Lab Africa, where speakers highlighted the changing demands of the industry, from consistency and clarity to adaptability and collaboration.
