Entertainment

Niyi Akinmolayan’s 2025 Vision: Building Nollywood’s strongest workforce yet

Published

Sunday, 16 March 2025, 12:02 pm

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Renowned Nollywood filmmaker and founder of Anthill Studios, Niyi Akinmolayan, has outlined his ambitious plans for 2025; one that prioritizes workforce development and the structural growth of the Nigerian film industry. A pivotal year for Anthill Studios The industry’s workforce crisis & the Netflix effect Building the Future: Connecting filmmakers with skilled crew Anthill’s 2025 roadmap: Expansion, partnerships & family content

Renowned Nollywood filmmaker and founder of Anthill Studios, Niyi Akinmolayan, has outlined his ambitious plans for 2025; one that prioritizes workforce development and the structural growth of the Nigerian film industry.

In a recent report by Nollywire, Akinmolayan emphasized the urgent need to reshape Nollywood’s backbone: its crew and professionals.

For Niyi Akinmolayan, one of Nollywood’s most forward-thinking filmmakers and the founder of Anthill Studios, 2025 is more than just another year; it’s a mission. His focus? Strengthening the backbone of the Nigerian film industry: its workforce.

A pivotal year for Anthill Studios

Coming off a dynamic 2024 filled with solo and collaborative productions, Anthill Studios has made its mark with standout projects. The studio’s two major releases saw Hey You director Uyoyou Adia helm Casa de Novia, starring Anee Icha and Taye Arimoro, while Dolapo Adigun made her cinematic directorial debut with Criminal.

Beyond its in-house projects, Anthill’s co-productions were among the year’s biggest successes. Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju); a collaboration with Eniola Ajao’s Lighthouse Pictures and Filmone Studios; became the fourth highest-grossing Nigerian film, raking in ₦252.8 million.

Meanwhile, Lisabi: The Uprising, the first instalment of a two-part historical epic produced alongside Lateef Adedimeji’s Al Notion Studios, emerged as Netflix Nigeria’s second most-watched title of 2024.

READ ALSO: Vibes, Marvel & Jollof: A look inside Filmhouse After Dark’s exclusive ‘Captain America’ Screening

The industry’s workforce crisis & the Netflix effect

Despite Nollywood’s rapid growth, it continues to grapple with a critical issue; a shortage of skilled crew members and industry professionals.

This problem is further compounded by the growing frustration of diaspora investors who lose money to questionable “producers” and inexperienced film crews.

Adding to the uncertainty was Netflix’s rumoured quiet exit from Nigeria, which was later debunked by the streaming platform.

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Reflecting on the industry’s lessons from 2024, Akinmolayan emphasized the need for self-sufficiency.

“I think the biggest lesson from 2024 would be that we need to be in control of our own destiny, especially in terms of distribution. We cannot just leave everything to our saviours from Silicon Valley. We need to be strategic about what we do for both Nigerian and international audiences.”

Building the Future: Connecting filmmakers with skilled crew

Anthill Studios is taking an active role in reshaping Nollywood’s workforce. Known for its commitment to training and upskilling, the studio plans to revive its in-house training programs in 2025. Previous initiatives, such as its post-production training and the free three-month director internship in 2023, have helped launch the careers of rising filmmakers like Barnabas Emordi, Dolapo Adigun, and Akhigbe “Akay Mason” Ilozobhie.

But Akinmolayan’s ambitions go beyond training. In 2025, Anthill Studios is partnering with a tech company to launch a new platform that connects filmmakers with vetted, skilled crew members.

“We believe that if we can strengthen and grow the talent pool of crew members and filmmakers, it will lead to better films and an expanded industry,” he shared.

This platform will serve as a curated directory of top industry professionals, ensuring that filmmakers have access to reliable talent; a crucial step toward raising the industry’s professional standards.

Anthill’s 2025 roadmap: Expansion, partnerships & family content

Beyond workforce development, Akinmolayan’s 2025 plans include:

Ensuring a successful year for Anthill Family, the studio’s newly launched family-focused division.
Strengthening partnerships with distributors, exhibitors, and brands, including another collaboration with Eniola Ajao and Filmone Studios.
Exploring new story ideas and expanding the studio’s storytelling range.
Expanding operations beyond Nigeria, pushing Nollywood’s presence on the global stage.

Unlike many production companies that work on a project-by-project basis, Anthill Studios employs a significant number of full-time staff.

This structure enables the studio to focus on long-term growth and maintain consistent quality; an approach that sets it apart in Nollywood’s fast-paced ecosystem.

Akinmolayan’s vision for Nollywood isn’t just about making great films; it’s about creating an industry that can compete globally, both in storytelling and technical execution.

With a growing workforce, a commitment to skill-building, and a drive to elevate family content, Anthill Studios is setting the stage for a stronger, more sustainable Nollywood.

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Entertainment

Buy a N50m house for your father – Asake’s family lists demands in video message

Published

3 hours ago

March 16, 2025

Julie

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The family of Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has reeled out a list of demands they would like him to meet after his sick father, Fatai Odunsi, called him out for abandonment.

Recall that a video surfaced online earlier this week where Mr. Odunsi, accompanied by a man identified as Sonibare, his brother, accused Asake of abandoning him since he fell ill in 2022.

The singer has since responded to the allegation, taking to social media on Friday with a cryptic message delivered in a Yoruba freestyle.

Asake leveled his own allegation against his father, suggesting that despite his generosity, he was attempting to manipulate him.

ALSO READ: He wants to cajole me – Asake reacts to reports of abandoning sick father

However, in the latest update in the Asake family saga, the singer’s family released a video in which they made several demands of him.

In the video, a lady who spoke on behalf of Asake’s family demanded that the singer buy an N50m house in Isale Eko that would generate rental income to support his father.

Additionally, the representative demanded a DNA test for Zeenat, Asake’s alleged 11-year-old daughter, whom they claim he also abandoned. The singer was also asked to support Zeenat’s mother, Asake’s alleged baby mama.

The family said, “Asake come and buy N50Million House for your father so that he can be collecting rent to feed. Always remember that your father will always be your father, come and take care of your father.

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“Even if the whole of Nigeria donate N1 billion to Asake’s father, the N1Million Asake will donate will make Papa Asake feel more better. Also come and take care of Your 11years old daughter and your Babymama. if you are in doubt about Zeenat, the mother has agreed to a DNA test.”

ALSO READ: Asake used to accept ₦700 rice, bottle of drink as performance fee – Yemi Elesho

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Entertainment

Rumours of association with Illuminati making me lose fans – Rema cries out

Published

6 hours ago

March 16, 2025

Julie

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has spoken about the effects of some rumours that have been spreading about him online.

The Mavin Records singer addressed the rumours during an interview with Rolling Stone.

Speaking about the rumours, which are about him joining Illuminati, worshipping the devil, and even drinking blood, Rema described them as baseless.

He explained further that these unfounded claims had affected his fanbase, as some of his fans believe the rumours to be true.

Rema expressed frustration at the depletion of his fanbase due to the “random stories” fabricated about him, which some fans blindly believed after only seeing them online.

ALSO READ: Rema will perform in Japan as part of his landmark 2025 world tour

He said, “Random stories have been made up about me being Illuminati, worshipping the devil, and drinking blood. I definitely lose some fans who just believe anything they see.”

Going personal, Rema spoke about the sentimental value he places on the pendants he wears.

He disclosed that the accessories serve as a tribute to his late father and brother, reminding him of his humble beginnings and helping him stay grounded amidst the chaos of fame.

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“It was just a dark moment that changed my life, so I always wear this chain—mostly because I never want to forget. While any craziness or any fantastic shit is happening, I always remind myself, ‘Know the struggles you came from,’ because, for real, people be forgetting,” he said.

Rema further addressed the challenges facing Nigeria, expressing his concern that many Nigerians are already giving up on the country.

He, therefore, declared his resolve to remain optimistic and contribute his quota to the country’s development.

ALSO READ: Tyla joins Rema as the second African artist on Spotify’s 1 billion Song Club

He said: “A lot of people are giving up in Nigeria. A lot of people are angry at Nigeria. But I keep hope. There’s not a lot of people who would carry Afrobeats like this so much, carry culture.

“It makes me look like a blabber. It makes me look like I talk too much, or care too much, or I’m trying to be a f**ing messiah. I don’t want to do much. I just want to do what I need to do.”

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Entertainment

Sex-for-Lambo: Chloe Bailey hints at separation from Burna Boy, 'You're not even worth it'

Published

15 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Julie

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American singer Chloe Bailey has hinted that she is no longer in a relationship with Nigerian singer Burna Boy as a result of the sex-for-lambo incident involving the ‘Last Last’ singer and Nigerian socialite Sophia Egbueje.

Recall that Burna and Chloe sparked dating rumours last December when the duo was captured getting cozy in a private section of a club in Nigeria.

Appearing to confirm their affair in February, Burna surprised Chloe with a matching Rolex wristwatch during a romantic dinner date in Lagos.

Now, it appears all but certain that things are not well between the singers. Earlier this month, Chloe unfollowed Burna on Instagram in the heat of the sex-for-lambo saga.

ALSO READ: I no buy Lambo, is that why you’re shouting? – Burna Boy claps back at Sophia Egbueje

As if unfollowing Burna in the middle of the saga was not enough to hint at an end to their relationship, Chloe has gone a step further in her recent music cover, singing lyrics that appear to target shades at the Nigerian singer.

Chloe sang, “Don’t know about the other girls you used to deal with, but I do not need to buy a man to give me love to lay with, no.

“You are not even worth it, got me out here looking crazy. I should not have ignored all the signs. You wasted all my time, I know you are gonna miss all of the times we had shared. There is only one Chloe in the world and no other woman can compare”.

Recall that Burna was dragged into the sex-for-Lambo saga after audio surfaced online where Sophia Egbueje narrated how the Afrobeats singer slept with her and didn’t fulfill his promise of buying her a Lamborghini.

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