T he history of cinema in Nigeria dates back to as early as the history of film itself; notably in
the late 19th century, with the use of peephole viewing of motion picture devices.
These were soon replaced in early 20th century with improved motion Picture exhibition de-
vices; the first set of films shown in Nigerian theaters were Western films, with the first film
screened at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos from 12 to 22 August 1903. In that year, Herbert
Macaulay had invited to Nigeria, the Balboa and Company from Spain to organize an exhibition
tour of silent films in Nigeria.
Although Mr. Balboa later closed his exhibition in Lagos, he continued showing films in
other African countries, the
Success of his exhibition led to a European merchant, Stanley Jones, to begin showing films
in the same Glover Memorial
Hall starting from November 1903. This brought about the influx of more European film ex-
hibitors to Nigeria. The first
Hit film in this early period came on 3rd August 1904, when the documentary on the visit of
the Alake of Abeokuta to England was screened.