Nollywood, Nigeria’s cinematic and film manufacturing business, has witnessed a exceptional transformation, largely due to its sensible screenwriters.
These storytellers haven’t simply scripted motion pictures; 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 business.
Our choice standards highlight writers behind field workplace successes, chart-toppers on international platforms like Netflix and Amazon, and critically acclaimed movies acknowledged at prestigious awards just like the AMVCA, Oscars, and Sundance.
We have a good time those that have helmed big-budget productions and penned main titles lately, together with these honoured with varied accolades for his or her craft.
In an period the place streaming companies have revolutionized movie consumption, these writers have confirmed adept, charming worldwide audiences. Their scripts haven’t solely garnered immense industrial success but additionally essential acclaim, usually 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 turn out to be 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 Marriage ceremony Social gathering 2 which raked in N500 million on the field workplace in 2017.
As a talented author, he’s the pen behind charming narratives in movies corresponding to “Out of Luck” (2015), “The Arbitration” (2016), “My Spouse and I” (2017), “New Cash” (2018), “Mothers At Battle” (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 business 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 embellished screenwriter, director, and producer, performed a pivotal function in propelling the political motion thriller “Black Ebook” to the zenith of Netflix’s charts, securing its place because the platform’s no 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 exhibits and flicks.
Bunmi’s journey contains notable experiences in Kenya and movie research in Australia. In 2022, she directed the Netflix Africa Unique “Glamour Women,” a manufacturing that not solely clinched the fifth spot globally upon its launch but additionally 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 unique.
This movie garnered widespread acclaim on a world scale, securing the third place worldwide on Amazon Prime and constantly holding a spot within the Prime 10 throughout 57 nations.
Kayode’s work is acknowledged as one in every of Prime Video’s top-ten best-traveled non-English originals, resulting in a big streaming deal and the institution of Kayodeville, a platform devoted to characteristic movies and TV initiatives.
Presently, he takes the helm in steering the event of the crime thriller collection “HUSTLE UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS” for a serious 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 function in its record-breaking N1 billion ticket gross sales
Past this success, Okoh’s affect reverberates by way of the tv panorama, evident in his works corresponding to ‘MY SIBLINGS AND I’ and the immensely fashionable ‘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 Unique Sequence.
Okoh’s storytelling prowess transcends leisure into socially impactful initiatives. Notably, ‘LEAVE TO LIVE,’ a compelling brief movie commissioned by Caritas Nigeria for World Day In opposition to Human Trafficking 2022, showcases his dedication to significant narratives.”
Musa Jeffery David, a talented screenwriter, is making vital contributions to the colourful Nigerian movie business, Nollywood.
Notably, he authored the script for Moses Inwang’s Netflix launch, ‘Blood Vessel,’ in 2023, showcasing his narrative prowess on a global platform.
David’s function 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 brief 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 Competition 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 international acclaim, gracing worldwide festivals and incomes accolades for its distinctive method. 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 Competition and FESPACO, notably lauded for its excellent cinematography and set design.
Tunde Babalola, acclaimed for his Netflix debut “Ijogbon,” commenced his writing odyssey within the UK put up 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 expertise.
Acknowledged for his work in Final Flight to Abuja, Crucial Project, and Quotation, Babalola’s writing journey spans various genres. His profession trajectory contains the 1996 sitcom “IN EXILE,” evolving right into a Channel 4 Tv collection praised on the 1999 Montreaux Tv Competition.
As a daily contributor to “The Invoice” from 1996 to 2001, Babalola showcased versatility, and his 2004 political thriller “Crucial Project” achieved worldwide acclaim, securing acquisitions by HBO and BBC Movies.
Xavier Ighorodje, the mastermind behind Netflix’s 2023 hit “Shanty City,” led this charming collection to turn out to be one of many platform’s most-watched exhibits.
Securing the writing contract in late 2021, Ighorodje’s creation earned a powerful 11 nominations on the 2023 Africa Magic Viewer’s Selection Award (AMVCA). With a embellished 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 popularity of crafting the Nigerian Unique 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 embody exhibits like “Ajoche,” “Riona,” and “Dilemma.” From scripting “Our Finest Good friend’s Marriage ceremony (S2)” to directing “Man of Her Desires” and producing “One Probability” for Ndani TV, Chidi’s affect permeates various narratives.
Holding a grasp’s diploma in communication and media research from Pan Atlantic College, she stands as an expert in her area.
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 way of well-received productions like “Masquerades of Aniedo,” “Tinsel,” “Covenant,” and “Dilemma.”
His collaborative spirit shines in initiatives corresponding to “Afro Metropolis Season 2,” “Extras,” and “Massive Ebook of Lies,” solidifying his place as a artistic drive on each the native and international stage.
Word: 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 observe that not one of the people listed have solicited their inclusion. Whereas this record goals to be complete, it’s in no way exhaustive; quite a few different contributors have performed vital roles in advancing the Film Business in Nigeria.
This compilation is unique to Nairametrics and could also be up to date periodically to mirror adjustments and developments within the area. Suggestions might be appreciated.
