Photos: Semafor Africa\Facebook
Olubankole “Banky W” Wellington is a Nigerian Afrobeats pioneer and actor who starred in Nollywood’s blockbuster The Wedding Party (2016) . He has also been an entertainment executive and signed Afrobeats superstar Wizkid to his first deal. Now, after a run for public office in 2019 and a 2020 Desmond Tutu Fellowship, he’s pursuing a master’s degree in policy management at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
💡 What inspired your switch from the entertainment business to public policy? My journey in the entertainment industry has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing talent flourish and dreams realized has always been a driving force for me. However, I realize that true, sustainable transformation requires more than creativity; it demands systemic change. I have a deep desire to see an entire generation empowered to succeed, but I know that individual success stories can only go so far. For lasting change, we need policies that support education, entrepreneurship and social welfare.
💡What does Nollywood’s future hold on the global stage? There is a growing global appetite and audience for Nigerian and African content. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney have begun investing in Nigerian media, and I believe this is just the beginning. Nigerian films and music have crossed borders, pushed boundaries, and redefined narratives of what the world can expect from our country and continent.
💡With your policy hat on, what can the US do to more efficiently tap into Africa’s growing workforce? For the US to tap into Africa’s workforce, the mindset has to be one of partnership as opposed to exploitation. The focus must, therefore, be on policies that promote mutual benefit.
💡What Nigerian/African restaurant do you recommend in DC? The Continent DC, a phenomenal Nigerian restaurant and bar by Chef Tony. Another is a fantastic Kenyan restaurant called Swahili Village.
