At 73, ANA Salutes Prof. Hyginus Ekwuasi’s Contributions to African Cinema

AT 73, ANA SALUTES PROF. HYGINUS EKWUASI’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFRICAN CINEMA

By ANA Media Team 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has congratulated renowned Nigerian academic, author, filmmaker, and poet, Professor Hyginus Ekwuasi, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, celebrating a life devoted to scholarship, creativity, and the advancement of African cinema and letters.

This goodwill message was contained in a press statement jointly issued by the President of the Association, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, PhD. 

The Association described Professor Ekwuasi as a towering intellectual whose pioneering work continues to shape film studies, media arts, and literary discourse in Nigeria and beyond.

Born in 1953 in Enugu, Professor Ekwuasi received his early education in Nigeria before earning a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Ibadan, where he also obtained his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Theatre Arts. His academic training was further enriched through advanced studies in media arts at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, experiences that broadened his global scholarly outlook.

Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Professor Ekwuasi served as Professor of Broadcasting and Film at the University of Ibadan, where he also acted as Head of the Department of Theatre Arts. Beyond the university, he made indelible marks in the film industry as Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, founding Director of the National Film Institute, Jos, and as a consultant to international bodies including UNESCO and the World Bank, contributing significantly to film education, production, and policy development.

ANA noted that his seminal book, Film in Nigeria, remains a foundational text in African film studies, offering rigorous analysis of Nigerian cinema from its early beginnings to contemporary practice. His numerous scholarly works on screenwriting, television, documentary film, and advertising have continued to bridge theory and practice, mentoring generations of filmmakers, scholars, and media practitioners.

As a creative writer, Professor Ekwuasi has also distinguished himself in poetry, drama, and fiction, earning multiple awards and critical acclaim. The Association lauded his enduring legacy as a mentor, juror, and cultural advocate, and wished him continued good health, fulfillment, and inspiration as he marks his 73rd birthday, celebrating his lasting contributions to Nigerian and African cultural life.