Dr. Smile Laments Billions Lost in Nigeria’s Neglected Entertainment Industry

Olamilekan Abegunde, popularly known as Dr. Smile, a renowned stand-up comedian, has voiced his concern over the significant financial losses incurred by the Nigerian government due to the neglect of the nation’s entertainment industry. Dr. Smile expressed his dismay, emphasizing that instead of harnessing its potential as an alternative source of revenue, those in government have effectively “killed” the industry.

He lamented the lack of support for the entertainment sector at all government levels, which has resulted in many industry players opting to host their events and shows elsewhere.

Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to promote his upcoming comedy show, “Why Not Smile,” Dr. Smile highlighted that government officials are not fully aware of the industry’s capacity to generate substantial revenue capable of driving the nation’s economy.

He stressed the need for government to play a more significant role in fostering the development of the entertainment industry. Ogun State, known as a hub for entertainment after Lagos, was specifically mentioned as an untapped resource that the present administration should leverage, especially in the era of digital content creation.

Dr. Smile’s forthcoming show is set to feature prominent comedians like Alibaba, Basket Mouth, Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, and others. The comedian urged governors across the country to create an enabling environment for entertainers and consider sponsoring them.

“Government needs to come in and support this industry so that it can grow. The entertainment industry can generate billions for the economy. Government has continued to lose money that could have come from this industry,” Dr. Smile emphasized, highlighting the unrealized potential of the sector.

The calls for greater government support come at a time when the entertainment industry, which includes music, film, comedy, and more, is gaining international recognition and significantly contributing to Nigeria’s cultural and economic landscape.