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Top Notable Women Leading the Nollywood Industry

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Top Notable Women Leading the Nollywood Industry, As one of the largest film industries in the world, Nollywood has evolved significantly since its inception. Central to this evolution are the remarkable contributions of female filmmakers, who have redefined storytelling and the representation of women in African cinema.

The impact of these filmmakers extends beyond their individual works. They have paved the way for future generations of women in Nollywood, demonstrating that creative, administrative, and managerial roles are not bound by gender.

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So, if you’re interested in exploring Nollywood, watching films by some of these notable female filmmakers will be an exciting ride.

Fondly called Jenifa, Funke Akindele is the queen of blockbusters, an actress, producer, and director. With numerous films exceeding box office expectations, she has honed her filmmaking skills, whether it’s acting on screen, producing, directing, she is a force. Her unique marketing style, often featuring effective social media and influencer marketing strategies, keep her audience eagerly anticipating her next release.

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Although her introduction to the film industry was through her role as Bisi in the popular sitcom, I Need to Know, she returned years later with her own sitcom Jenifa, which earned her the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009. Some of her notable works include Tribe Called Judah, highest-grossing movie of the year; 2023, Omo Ghetto the Saga, She Must Obey, Jenifa’s Diary.

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A pioneering figure in Nigerian theatre, Bolanle Austen-Peters is a multi-award-winning movie director, producer, theatre director, and cultural entrepreneur. She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts and culture center, Terra Kulture in Lagos. Her contribution to the arts and the Nollywood space are immeasurable. Her biopic on Funmilayo Ransome Kuti became the highest grossing biopic in West Africa.

Her recent movie, House of Ga’a, made it to the top 10 Netflix Global Chart for Non-English Films in the first week of its release. Austen-Peters is also the founder of Terra Academy for the Arts, an initiative in partnership with Mastercard Foundation aimed at empowering young people with skills to kickstart their careers in filmmaking. Some of her notable works include, Bling Lagosians, Man Of God, and Collision Course.

 

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3. Biodun Stephen

Biodun Stephen is a screenwriter, producer, and director widely recognized for incorporating family-oriented elements in her storytelling. Using natural settings and relatable middle-class characters, she has mastered the art of telling powerful stories that resonate with audiences. Her films often bear unique titles reflective of the protagonist, such as Tiwa’s Baggage, Ovy’s Voice, Ehi’s Bitters and Sobi’s Mystic, Sista are notable examples. She runs her production company, Shutterspeed Projects. In 2022, she won the AMVCA Award for Best Writer for her sitcom Introducing the Kujus. That same year, her film Breaded Life was nominated for Best Movie, West Africa, at the AMVCA. West Africa. Some of her other works include, Looking for Baami, All Shades of Wrong, Seven and a Half Dates.

  4. Mo Abudu

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A media entrepreneur, producer, and CEO of Ebonylife Group, Mo Abudu has made a significant impact on Nollywood since founding her company in 2014. Ebonylife Group includes EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Studios, and EbonyLife Creative Academy, a film school dedicated to teaching filmmaking skills. She also manages Ebonylife Place, a luxury entertainment resort in Lagos. Her first film as an executive producer was Fifty, and she later co-produced The Wedding Party (2016), which became a commercial success. Other films she has also executive-produced or co-produced include The Wedding Party 2, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency and Òlòtūré. Her series, Blood Sisters made Netflix’s global Top 10 within days of its release, while Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. In March 2018, EbonyLife Media and Sony Pictures Television co-produced The Dahomey Warriors. In January 2020, AMC Networks announced its partnership with EbonyLife to produce Nigeria 2099, an afrofuturistic crime-drama created by EbonyLife. Mo Abudu’s partnerships with international studios such as Netflix, Starz and Lionsgate, BBC, Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Will Packer Productions have further solidified her influence in the global film industry.

  5. Kemi Adetiba

Kemi Adetiba is widely recognized for her acclaimed political thriller, King of Boys, and its sequel, King of Boys: The Return of the King. Before her success in filmmaking, Kemi Adetiba had a prolific career in Music video directing. Some of her notable works in the music industry include Olamide’s Anifowose, Last Bus-Stop by Niyola, My Darlin by Tiwa Savage, My Place by Lynxx, Love to Love You by Niyola ft Banky W. Her short film Across a Bloodied Ocean was screened at the 2009 Pan Afric

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an Film Festival and National Black Arts Festival. On September 8, 2016, her first feature film The Wedding Party (a Nigerian Rom-com film) premiered opening night at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), as the opening film of the City-to-City Spotlight. Earlier in 2024, she announced that her new feature, To Kill A Monkey had completed principal photography and would be premiering soon. She has solidified her place as one of Africa’s most successful directors, having worked not only with some of the continent’s biggest stars but also directing commercials for several international brands. Adetiba owns her production company Kemi Adetiba Visuals. (KAV)

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Jadesola Osiberu is a screenwriter, director, producer and the founder of Greoh Studios.

Although Jade is known for her knack for crime thrillers, as demonstrated in Brotherhood and Gangs of Lagos, she has also produced romantic comedies like Isoken, and Sugar Rush. Her film, Gangs of Lagos, became the first Nigerian original film to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. In September 2022, Osiberu’s Greoh Studios signed a three-year deal with Amazon to develop and produce original scripted TV series and feature films. This partnership led to Gangs of Lagos winning Best Movie West Africa at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. In August 2024, Osebiru announced the release of her upcoming movie, Christmas in Lagos, which is set to debut on Prime Video this December. Other films to her credit include Ayinla, Rumour Has it, Gidi Up.

 

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Halima Abubakar seeks support over health challenge, accuses colleagues of neglect

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Popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has opened up on her health struggles.

The Kano-born Kogi indigene on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 shared video posts via her Instagram page, revealing that she has been using a TikTok filter to cover how her face really looks.

The 39-year-old film star and entrepreneur also solicited funds and financial assistance from members of the general public and political office holders representing Kogi, her native state.

ALSO READ: AGN suspends actress Halima Abubakar indefinitely for alleged defamation

The actress said sorrowfully, “People are confused about what is going on. I am not feeling well up until now. I am just good at being strong and pretending that I am okay. This is me, but every day you see me post a picture with a filter. That is a filter on TikTok, not me. This is how I look. Some of you will be laughing. What is funny? Will I be lying? Why would somebody say I am lying? Lying about what? That I am sick?”

The actress further revealed that she had to relocate to her village for a year while undergoing treatment. She also denied the speculations that she was pretending to be ill.

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ALSO READ: Halima Abubakar advises women to stay away from married men

Disclosing that she has been reaching out for financial support to cover medical expenses, including multiple MRIs and treatment for high blood pressure, she said,

I have so many medical things to do. My MRI, my BP. It’s 157. What am I thinking? I have not done a movie for more than six years now. What do people want? For me to die? Do you want me to kill myself? I went for MRI three times.

Accusing her colleagues in Nollywood of neglecting her, she added,


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There is nothing wrong with me medically now. Everybody in Nollywood, they don’t talk to me anymore because of this singular thing. Everybody. I go from DM to DM trying to see who will help me. I was rich. I sold everything, my cars. Everything! You would think they would sympathise with me, selling three cars, not doing anything. How would I live when I am not working?

ALSO READ: “Leave our sister alone” – – Family raises alarm over actor Halima Abubakar’s deteriorating health, calls out Apostle Suleman

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Portable declares himself mad, says he is undergoing treatment

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Popular controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, known professionally as Portable, has reacted to being on the wanted list of the Ogun State Police Command.

The 30-year-old singer also known as Ika of Africa took to his Instagram page on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 to declare himself a mad man who is currently undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Portable said this in his appeal to the Ogun State Government and Nigerians via his Instagram page following a press release on Monday night announcing him wanted by the state police command.

He addressed Governor Dapo Abiodun, stating that he was set up because he was putting on a vest with the face of Senator Adeola Solomon popularly known as Yayi.

ALSO READ: I want fearless Lawyers like Daddy Falana – Portable

In his words:

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I fear government. I am a federal government liability. Then I’m a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients. I am from Abeokuta and they are taking care of me there. I am not a thief, I help people around me without even looking at their background.

The Zeh Nation boss was declared ‘At large’ for allegedly assaulting and obstructing officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development alongside nine of his associates.

In the official statement shared on social media, the Ogun State Police Command asserted,

He is wanted for the offenses of conspiracy, serious assault, going armed, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and attempted murder by recruiting armed thugs who conspired and attacked officials of against the Ministry of Physical Planning and urban Development, Ota zonal office. The offenses were committed at Oke-Osa, Tigbo ilu, Ota Ogun state on the 5th of February.

ALSO READ: Justice for me – Portable cries out amid battle with Ogun State government


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Adekunle Gold teases collaboration on Davido's upcoming album

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Award-winning star Adekunle Gold has teased an upcoming collaboration with 5-time Grammy-nominated Afrobeats hitmaker Davido.

AG Baby as he’s fondly called took to his X page to share a crypto post about Davido’s upcoming album ‘5ive’ which suggests he might be making a guest appearance on the album.

Pictures have also surfaced online of the duo in the studio recording what could be their second collaboration. The tracks will be part of Davido’s highly anticipated fifth project, which is scheduled for release on March 15, 2025.

Adekunle Gold and Davido have previously collaborated in the past on the former’s super hit single ‘High’ off his fourth album ‘Catch Me If You Can’.

AG also penned Davido’s hit single, ‘1 Milli,’ which appeared on his acclaimed second album, ‘A Good Time.’

Davido has described his eagerly awaited fifth album has been described as the best he ever made. The album has been preceded by the chart-topping singles ‘Awuke’ featuring YG Marley and ‘Funds’ featuring Chike and OdumoduBlvck.

Another collaboration expected on the album is one with Omah Lay who earlier announced in an interview.

Expectations will be high for ‘5ive’ aiming to follow in the path of Davido’s hugely successful Grammy-nominated fourth album ‘Timeless’.

The album will also mark another milestone for the serial hitmaker who has been at the summit of the Nigerian music industry for over a decade.


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