Women in the Nigerian movie industry have been instrumental in the exponential growth it’s been experiencing from time immemorial. These women are the powerhouses behind major blockbuster films and take both directorial and production credit. We may not get to see them on-screen, but we get to experience them through the results of their overtime hard work and sleepless nights.
To wrap up Women’s Month, this article looks to spotlight some Nollywood movies produced/directed by women over the years.
“Isoken” – Jadesola Osiberu
Surviving African parents as an unmarried woman in a Nigerian home is just like searching for water in a desert. This is the story of Isoken, a 34-year-old serial entrepreneur who was introduced to Osaze by her mother. However, things took an unexpected turn, that eventually led to her love life with Kelvin.
Isoken was written, directed, and produced by Jadesola Osiberu in the year 2017. Although it was her directorial debut, she also went on to work on projects like “Brotherhood”, “Sugar Rush”, “Gangs of Lagos” and “Ayinla”.
A 38-year-old brilliant Nigerian and one of the women pushing the envelope in the Nigerian movie industry. It won the categories; Best Movie West Africa, Best Directo, and Best Supporting Actress at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2018.
“A Tribe Called Judah” – Funke Akindele
Blazing the trail as a Nigerian movie director and producer is Funke Akindele. She has been producing her movies as far back as 2011, which is evident in the movie, “The Return Of Jenifa”. Akindele herself played the character of a wanna-be Lagos big girl. This serves as a follow-up to the prequel, “Jenifa”.
The screen goddess has extensively showcased her expertise through her directorial lens in the movies “Omo Ghetto”, “Your Excellency”, “Battle On Bukka Street”, and “Double Trouble” to mention a few. While many were mostly families with her acting prowess, Funke Akindele has been directing movies since 2008 – “Aje Meta” and the movie “Apaadi” in the year 2009.
Her movie, “A Tribe Called Judah” hit cinemas on the 15th of December, 2023, and amassed N1.5 Billion across cinemas in Nigeria, the UK, the USA, and other African countries. She is one of the women who deserve to be given their flowers in Nollywood.
“Up North” – Tope Oshin
“Up North” traverses love, relationship, family, betrayal and rebellion. The movie features Nigerian singer and label owner, Banky W, his wife, Adesua Etomi, Rahman Sadau, Michelle Dede, and Ibrahim Suleiman. The movie hit the cinemas in 2018.
Tope Oshin, in fact, takes credit for MTV Shuga, a Nigerian movie series centered around the issues affecting young adults as they navigate through life. The series also creates awareness about one of the most deadly diseases affecting Africa, HIV/AIDS.
Both the stories and characters are very relatable as they touch on topics like family, social life, peer pressure, relationships, early pregnancy, contraceptives, and everything in between.
The series, however, captivated the minds of both the young and old. She has also directed series like “Tinsel”, “Castle & Castle”, “Hush”, “New Money” and “Hotel Majestic”.
“King of Boys” – Kemi Adetiba
Her masterpiece, “King of Boys” had the highest number of awards at the 2019 AMAA. It got nine nominations and bagged three. She earned the award of Best Music Video Director of the Year from the Headies in 2014.
Kemi Adetiba is a Nollywood filmmaker, producer, television director, music video director, founder, and CEO of Kemi Adetiba Visuals (KAV). Adetiba’s short film “Across a Bloodied Ocean” was screened at the 2009 Pan African Film Festival and National Black Arts Festival. Additionally, the phenomenal filmmaker directed sequels to King of Boys, as well as “The Wedding Party”.
Adetiba is also the brains behind the ever-green music video of “Lagos Party”. The video hit the airwaves in 2010 by Music icon, Banky W.
“Sista” – Biodun Stephen
From the director of movies like “A Simple Lie”, “The Kuju’s”, “Different Stroke”, and “Big Love. “Hotel Labamba” comes the movie, “Sista”. “Sista” tells the story of a struggling single mother-of-two, whose baby daddy unexpectedly makes his way back into her life. He completely steals the kids’ attention, which causes their mother so much hurt.
The character “Sista” was played by seasoned and beautiful actress, Kehinde Bankole, who interpreted her role to a fault. It is safe to say that Biodun Stephen’s casting is superb. She won the category of Best Writer and Best Movie West Africa in Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2022.
