Actor Daniel Etim Effiong has said that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for shaping society and influencing the future.
He stated this while speaking on the topic, “How Stories Create the Future,” at The Platform: Young Professionals Bootcamp (YPB) 2026, held on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
According to him, storytelling goes beyond entertainment and serves as a means of transporting ideas through language.He noted that every story created carries a message and intention from its creator.
Speaking about his movie, “The Herd,” Daniel Etim Effiong explained that his goal was to promote the importance of unity and how collective strength can change narratives and transform societies.
“For my movie, ‘The Herd,’ my intention was to show how unity can shape narratives and influence change. I wanted people to understand that through unity, we can overcome many of the challenges facing our country,” he said.
“In a nation divided by tribe, language and differences, unity is one value we must embrace if we truly want to build a better country,” he added.
The actor further explained that the title of the movie itself metaphorically reflects the message he intended to pass across.
Daniel Etim Effiong also revealed that the film generated over N100 million within a few weeks of its cinema release. However, he said he decided to make the movie available on Netflix because he wanted it to reach everyday Nigerians and not just the elite.
“I could have left it in cinemas, but I wanted ordinary people to have access to it as well,” he said.
Encouraging young creatives, the actor stressed the importance of observation in storytelling, noting that great stories are born from paying attention to people, experiences and society.
He advised creatives to constantly observe their environment if they want to create meaningful and impactful stories.
