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Nollywood, Nigeria’s cinematic and film manufacturing trade, has witnessed a exceptional transformation, largely because of its sensible screenwriters.
These storytellers haven’t simply scripted films; they’ve formed an period, bringing Nollywood into the worldwide limelight.
On this article, Nairametrics pays tribute to those artistic minds whose works have redefined the trade.
Our choice standards highlight writers behind field workplace successes, chart-toppers on world platforms like Netflix and Amazon, and critically acclaimed movies acknowledged at prestigious awards just like the AMVCA, Oscars, and Sundance.
We have fun those that have helmed big-budget productions and penned main titles in recent times, together with these honoured with numerous accolades for his or her craft.
In an period the place streaming companies have revolutionized movie consumption, these writers have confirmed adept, fascinating worldwide audiences. Their scripts haven’t solely garnered immense industrial success but in addition vital acclaim, typically overshadowed by the glitz of administrators and actors.
These are the brains behind Nollywood’s most compelling narratives and record-breaking hits.
Their tales transcend leisure; they’re cultural phenomena that echo throughout continents. With out additional ado, meet the poetic minds behind the scripts which have change into the heartbeat of Nollywood’s success.
Naz Onuzo, the Director and co-founder of Inkblot made his mark in 2014 with the discharge of “The Division,” signalling the graduation of a prolific artistic journey. He’s additionally the author behind, The Wedding ceremony Get together 2 which raked in N500 million on the field workplace in 2017.
As a talented author, he’s the pen behind fascinating narratives in movies akin to “Out of Luck” (2015), “The Arbitration” (2016), “My Spouse and I” (2017), “New Cash” (2018), “Mothers At Warfare” (2018), “The Up North” (2018), “The Set Up” (2019), “Who’s The Boss,” and “Quam’s Cash” in 2020 and W(2022)
Past his accomplishments, Naz’s affect extends to trade management as a Non-Government Director at FilmOne Leisure and Filmhouse Cinemas. Boasting 12 years of expertise in funding at African Capital Alliance, he stands as a driving drive in shaping funding landscapes, additional emphasised by his dedication to training.
Naz Onuzo holds an M.Sc. in Economics and Finance from Warwick Enterprise College (2004-2006) and a B.Sc. in Economics and a B.A in English from Duke College (1999-2003).
Bunmi Ajakaiye, a adorned screenwriter, director, and producer, performed a pivotal position in propelling the political motion thriller “Black E book” to the zenith of Netflix’s charts, securing its place because the platform’s #1 most-watched title in November.
After graduating with a level in Economics from Deakins College Australia, Bunmi seamlessly transitioned from the banking sector to the colourful world of Nollywood.
At present serving because the Public Relations Officer of the Screenwriter’s Guild of Nigeria, her illustrious profession is marked by a string of profitable TV reveals and films.
Bunmi’s journey contains notable experiences in Kenya and movie research in Australia. In 2022, she directed the Netflix Africa Authentic “Glamour Ladies,” a manufacturing that not solely clinched the fifth spot globally upon its launch but in addition amassed a powerful 12 million streaming hours.
Kayode I. Jegede, a screenwriter and filmmaker born in London with a singular mix of Nigerian heritage and experiences spanning three continents, has left an indelible mark on the worldwide cinematic panorama.
An alumnus of North Carolina Central College and the London College of Economics, Kayode has authored impactful screenplays, with “GANGS OF LAGOS” (2023) standing out as Amazon Prime’s groundbreaking African authentic.
This movie garnered widespread acclaim on a world scale, securing the third place worldwide on Amazon Prime and persistently holding a spot within the High 10 throughout 57 international locations.
Kayode’s work is acknowledged as certainly one of Prime Video’s top-ten best-traveled non-English originals, resulting in a major streaming deal and the institution of Kayodeville, a platform devoted to function movies and TV initiatives.
Presently, he takes the helm in steering the event of the crime thriller collection “HUSTLE UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS” for a significant American TV community.
Collins Okoh, a 2015 alumnus of Delta State College, emerges as a standout Nigerian screenwriter. His notable contribution to Funke Akindele’s 2023 blockbuster ‘A Tribe Referred to as Judah’ performed a pivotal position in its record-breaking N1 billion ticket gross sales
Past this success, Okoh’s affect reverberates by the tv panorama, evident in his works akin to ‘MY SIBLINGS AND I’ and the immensely widespread ‘JENIFA’S DIARY.’
Venturing into the silver display, he co-wrote the script for ‘OMO GHETTO, THE SAGA,’ claiming the title of the second highest-grossing Nollywood film at N636 million. His influence extends to ‘SHE MUST BE OBEYED,’ an Amazon Prime Video Authentic Sequence.
Okoh’s storytelling prowess transcends leisure into socially impactful initiatives. Notably, ‘LEAVE TO LIVE,’ a compelling quick movie commissioned by Caritas Nigeria for World Day Towards Human Trafficking 2022, showcases his dedication to significant narratives.”
Musa Jeffery David, a talented screenwriter, is making vital contributions to the colourful Nigerian movie trade, Nollywood.
Notably, he authored the script for Moses Inwang’s Netflix launch, ‘Blood Vessel,’ in 2023, showcasing his narrative prowess on a world platform.
David’s position within the backend for Inyang’s ‘Film Lockdown’ (2021) additional underscores his versatile contributions. Whereas Inwang was the unique author, David adeptly crafted the screenplay.
Along with his cinematic achievements, David co-wrote the favored Nigerian collection, ‘Wura,’ featured on Showmax.
His dedication to storytelling earned him recognition in 2016 when he clinched the Homevida Award for the quick movie screenplay, ‘Life in a Day,’ offering the impetus for his artistic profession. Past this, Musa Jeffery David is the co-creator and author of the Netflix TV collection, “Mystic River.”
C.J. Obasi is a notable Nigerian movie director, editor, and screenwriter. His filmmaking journey started with the debut of “Ojuju,” which premiered on the Africa Worldwide Movie Pageant in November 2024.
With a background in pc science from the College of Nigeria, Obasi co-founded the Fiery Movie Firm in 2012 along with his spouse and a fellow screenwriter, setting the stage for his impactful directorial profession.
“Ojuju,” a zero-budget zombie thriller unleashed in 2014, garnered world acclaim, gracing worldwide festivals and incomes accolades for its distinctive strategy. Undeterred by conference, Obasi continued his dedication to innovation with “Mami Wata” in 2016.
Impressed by his late sisters, the movie dazzled audiences with hyper-stylized visuals and profound storytelling, incomes prestigious awards on the Sundance Movie Pageant and FESPACO, significantly lauded for its excellent cinematography and set design.
Tunde Babalola, acclaimed for his Netflix debut “Ijogbon,” commenced his writing odyssey within the UK submit his dramatic arts diploma. Notably, he scripted Kunle Afolayan’s hit ‘October 1’ in a mere 4 weeks for the preliminary draft, showcasing his prolific abilities.
Acknowledged for his work in Final Flight to Abuja, Crucial Task, and Quotation, Babalola’s writing journey spans numerous genres. His profession trajectory contains the 1996 sitcom “IN EXILE,” evolving right into a Channel 4 Tv collection praised on the 1999 Montreaux Tv Pageant.
As an everyday contributor to “The Invoice” from 1996 to 2001, Babalola showcased versatility, and his 2004 political thriller “Crucial Task” achieved worldwide acclaim, securing acquisitions by HBO and BBC Movies.
Xavier Ighorodje, the mastermind behind Netflix’s 2023 hit “Shanty City,” led this fascinating collection to change into one of many platform’s most-watched reveals.
Securing the writing contract in late 2021, Ighorodje’s creation earned a powerful 11 nominations on the 2023 Africa Magic Viewer’s Alternative Award (AMVCA). With a adorned profession, he’s written over 4000 minutes of primetime Nigerian TV and performed key roles in 60,000+ minutes of storytelling.
Past tv, Ighorodje’s artistic affect extends to Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning album “TWICE AS TALL,” the place he crafted and wrote companion materials titled “The Secret Flame” in 2020.
Distinguished African storyteller Ifeanyi Barbara Chidi launched into her artistic journey in 2014, carrying a number of hats as a Author, Director, and Producer. She earned approval for crafting the Nigerian Authentic Restricted collection “Diiche” and contributing to the AMVCA-winning “Crime and Justice Lagos.”
As a Juror for the British Fantasy Awards in Movie and Tv, Chidi showcased her experience. Her visionary creations embrace reveals like “Ajoche,” “Riona,” and “Dilemma.” From scripting “Our Finest Pal’s Wedding ceremony (S2)” to directing “Man of Her Desires” and producing “One Likelihood” for Ndani TV, Chidi’s affect permeates numerous narratives.
Holding a grasp’s diploma in communication and media research from Pan Atlantic College, she stands as an expert in her subject.
Donald, honoured because the AMVCA8 Finest Author for “Introducing The Kujus,” stands as a pivotal drive shaping Africa’s tv panorama.
Because the co-creator and head author of the groundbreaking collection “SLUM KING,” he leads the narrative cost, leaving an indelible mark. His affect extends globally with co-writing credit on Netflix’s “Shanty City” and the creation of “Mud,” an Africa Magic Telenovela.
With a powerful 45,000 minutes of prime-time tv expertise, Donald’s influence resonates by well-received productions like “Masquerades of Aniedo,” “Tinsel,” “Covenant,” and “Dilemma.”
His collaborative spirit shines in initiatives akin to “Afro Metropolis Season 2,” “Extras,” and “Massive E book of Lies,” solidifying his place as a artistic drive on each the native and world stage.
Be aware: The people featured on this compilation have been rigorously chosen by a distinguished panel of editors, specialists, and analysts at Nairametrics.
You will need to notice that not one of the people listed have solicited their inclusion. Whereas this checklist goals to be complete, it’s under no circumstances exhaustive; quite a few different contributors have performed vital roles in advancing the Film Trade in Nigeria.
This compilation is unique to Nairametrics and could also be up to date periodically to mirror modifications and developments within the subject. Suggestions will likely be appreciated.
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