Bebuzee, a technology company based in Miami, Florida, United States, has announced partnerships with Nollywood actors, guilds, and industry organisations.
The company made the announcement at the launch of its application in Lagos, Nigeria. The app combines social media, video streaming, e-commerce, messaging, and freelance services on one platform.
Patience Ozokwo, Yakubu Abubakar, and Paul Obazele were unveiled as brand ambassadors for Bebuzee at the event.
Speaking at the launch, the founder and chief executive officer of Bebuzee Inc., Joseph Onyero, described the app as a digital ecosystem intended for users across different markets.
“Bebuzee is a next-generation AI-powered app bringing together social, entertainment, streaming, creator economy, commerce, mobility and digital services in one connected ecosystem. With Bebuzee, you can do over 15 things in one app,” he said.
On the partnerships, he said they were intended to connect Nollywood’s creative ecosystem with Bebuzee’s technology platform and digital revenue channels.
“We are entering the Nollywood ecosystem not simply as another streaming platform, but with a broader vision to build digital infrastructure connecting producers, content owners, creators and audiences through streaming and digital distribution, advertising and creator revenue sharing and global audience engagement,” he said.
The director-general of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, delivered the keynote address at the launch.
He said technology was changing how cultural content was created, distributed, consumed, and monetised in Nollywood.
“We have entered into a more complex ecosystem in which the distinction between a television screen, a cinema screen, a mobile phone and a digital platform is becoming increasingly blurred. This extraordinary promise of communication technology has made it possible for our narratives to be everywhere,” Husseini said.
He noted that Nigerian filmmakers could now reach audiences in cities including London, Johannesburg, Toronto, New York, Accra, and Nairobi without travelling to those locations.
Husseini, however, cautioned that global reach should not be mistaken for global relevance, saying quality, authenticity, and craft remained important.
“To the Bebuzee team, today’s launch comes with both opportunity and responsibility. You are entering an ecosystem with enormous creative energy. Nigeria has one of the world’s most dynamic film industries. You have creators. You have audiences. You have stories. You have technology. What we must now build is the infrastructure that allows all these elements to work together sustainably,” he said.
