From Screen Queens to Studio Titans: Meet the Women Transforming Nigerian Cinema
Nigeria's entertainment industry is a dynamic patchwork of artistic energies, especially in the fields of film and music.The music sector, which is becoming more and more well-known worldwide, is comparable to Nollywood's cinematic brilliance. Nollywood is the second-largest film producer in the world, with a hefty valuation of $6.4 billion as of 2021.
By Asteroid Media
Annually, Nollywood unfurls over 2,000 productions across diverse platforms. Its strategic collaborations with global movie streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax have positioned Nollywood to export its rich culture and values worldwide.
This global outreach is facilitated by compelling narratives crafted by some of Nigeria’s most talented producers and directors. In the preceding year alone, the Nigerian box office demonstrated remarkable resilience by generating approximately N7.4 billion in revenue. This feat becomes even more impressive considering the challenges posed by diminishing purchasing power and inflation.
Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu, recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential women in global media, stands as an influential figure in Nollywood. Her journey involves spearheading Ebony Life TV since its inception in 2006, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Under Abudu’s leadership, Ebony Life TV has expanded its reach to over 49 countries across Africa, the UK and the Caribbean. The network has become a significant player, fostering global partnerships that enhance its influence in the media landscape.
Notably, Ebony Life TV has secured major collaboration deals with industry giants such as Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix.The groundbreaking agreement with Netflix marked a historic milestone as the first time an African media company entered into a multi-title film and TV agreement with the streaming giant.
Emem Isong
With over 25 years of devoted devotion, Nollywood star Emem Isong has been a powerful storyteller for women’s rights in the industry.Her film “Bursting Out” made a lasting impression, drawing a full house at the Odion Cinemas in London in November 2010.
Additionally, Emem has worked on films for important institutions such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) and Action Health Incorporated (AHI). These programs are designed to provide underprivileged and out-of-school teenage females in the slum areas surrounding Lagos more influence.
At The African Film Festival (TAFF) in Dallas in 2018, Emem was given the esteemed African Film Leadership Award. Her numerous honors include the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMMA), which are sometimes referred to as Africa’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Thema Award, ZAFAA Award, Best of Nollywood Award, City Peoples Award, and Giama Award.
Emem’s films have gained international recognition, being screened at important film festivals and being studied in academic programs at colleges in America, Europe, and Africa.
Kemi Adetiba
Nigerian director Kemi Adetiba has directed music videos, television shows, and Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV, BET, and Netflix. She began her career as a radio host on Silver’s Rhythm 93.7 FM. Sunday at the Seaside and Soul’d Out, two nationwide smash shows, both have her voice. Kemi Adetiba presented on TV before gradually transitioning from radio to television. She then made the transition to music and film production. helmed “The Wedding Party,” a movie that debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2016.
The wedding celebration was a huge success, earning over N3.5 billion at the box office.In addition, Kemi Adetiba is the creator of the online documentary series King Women. Young women are inspired and mentored by King Women.
Kemi Adetiba created, wrote, and directed the well-known political thriller King of Boys, which starred Sola Sobowale in the title role. Adetiba, sometimes referred to as the Bruce Lee of visuals, will debut her most recent TV series, the criminal drama To Kill A Monkey, on Netflix in 2024.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele, often known as Jenifa, is a well-known actress, director, producer, and politician from Nigeria. Akindele, who was born on August 24, 1977, became well-known for her performance in the sitcom “I Need to Know” (1998–2002). She won the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her superb performance in “Jenifa.”
Akindele developed the 2015 television series Jenifa’s Diary, which was an adaption of the popular character Jenifa. She won the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy in 2016 and 2017, and she will return in 2020 and 2022 thanks to her work in the series.
A Tribe Called Judah (N1.4 billion), the highest-grossing film of 2023 in theaters, making her history as the first female director from Nigeria to achieve a billion naira at the Nigerian box office. Funke Akindele has consistently produced top-grossing movies in Nigeria for the past three years. In 2020, Omo Ghetto the Saga brought in a total of N636 million, while in 2022, Battle on Buka Street brought in N668 million.
Biodun Stephen
Film director, writer, and producer Biodun Stephen is from Nigeria; he specializes in romantic comedies and dramas.
She’s known for drawing inspiration for her movie titles from the names of the lead characters as they appear in the picture; some well-known examples are Tiwa’s Baggage, Ovy’s Voice, Ehi’s Bitters, and Sobi’s Mystic.
In 2014, Biodun Stephen made her feature debut with the release of The Visit. The film received accolades for its unique plot, small yet observant cast, and creativity. At the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in Lagos, it was nominated twice.
She directed Sista and co-produced Breaded Life.
Jade Osiberu
Mary Njoku has cemented her position as a dominant force in the African cinema industry with over two decades of experience in both acting and production. Njoku made her cinematic debut in 2004 and has since been in more than 100 movies and TV shows, most of which are part of “Nollywood,” the Nigerian film industry, which is known as the second-largest in the world in terms of production output.
Over the past 10 years, Njoku has made a smooth shift from on-screen roles to executive responsibilities behind the scenes, significantly influencing the development and delivery of African content adapted for streaming platforms.
She made a risky move in 2013 when she started ROK, a digital media firm that runs four TV stations. She also launched ROK Studios, a content production firm that serves her husband Jason Njoku’s IrokoTV, a Nigerian streaming video-on-demand network.
Tope Oshin
A prominent figure in the film industry, Tope Oshin is best known for helming notable projects like Up North, which starred Nigerian musician Bankole Wellington. Recognized as one of OkayAfrica’s Okay100 Women in 2017, Oshin is a highly accomplished director with a resume that includes more than 7,000 hours of cinema and television work.
Her directing skills are evident in a number of Africa’s most well-known drama series, with a whopping 750 episodes under her credit, including MTV Shuga, Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, Hush, and Castle & Castle. Her directing credits include notable movies like New Money, Journey To Self, InLine, Ireti, The Young Smoker, and the ground-breaking UpNorth theatrical release that took place in December 2018.
Toyin Abraham
With a remarkable career spanning more than 20 years, Toyin Abraham is a pillar in the Nollywood industry. Since starting her career in 2003, she has dabbled in producing and directing in addition to acting on screen.
Her filmography includes well-known pieces like “Ijakumo – The Born Again Stripper” and the popular “Malaika,” which became one of the highest-grossing films in December 2023 with a total of N300 million, marking the peak of her box office success to date.
Other noteworthy motion pictures include “Fate of Alakada,” which debuted in 2020 and brought in N113.2 million at the box office. “Alakada Reloaded” also made N70 million after this triumph.
She also produced “The Ghost and the Tout” (2018) and “Seven and a Half Dates” (2018).
Omoni Oboli
Notwithstanding a brief leave of absence from the business owing to familial obligations, Omoni Oboli is regarded as a leading personality in Nigerian cinema. Over the past 20 years, she has successfully negotiated the industry’s hectic terrain.
Oboli is not only an accomplished actor but also a certified digital filmmaker who attended the esteemed New York Film Academy to refine her craft. Numerous scripts, including well-known pieces like “Fatal Imagination,” “Being Mrs. Elliott,” “The First Lady,” and “Wives on Strike,” demonstrate her prolific creative energy. Omoni Oboli won Best Actress – Narrative Feature at the 2010 Harlem International Film Festival and Best Actress at the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards.
She co-starred with Funke Akindele in the comedy film “Moms at War” in 2018 and has since directed many films for both theatrical release and streaming services. Oboli has made significant use of the digital sphere, especially on YouTube with her channel, Omoni Oboli TV. She has hosted films such as “A Night in July” and “Marriage of Inconvenience,” and her movie collections have racked up an astounding five million views.
