Nigeria’s entertainment sector stands as a vibrant tapestry of creative forces, particularly within the realms of music and movies.
The music industry, garnering increasing global recognition, parallels the cinematic prowess of Nollywood, proudly holding the title of the world’s second-largest film producer and boasting a substantial worth of $6.4 billion as of 2021.
Annually, Nollywood unfurls over 2,000 productions across diverse platforms. Its strategic collaborations with global movie streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax have positioned Nollywood to export its rich culture and values worldwide.
This global outreach is facilitated by compelling narratives crafted by some of Nigeria’s most talented producers and directors.
In the preceding year alone, the Nigerian box office demonstrated remarkable resilience by generating approximately N7.4 billion in revenue. This feat becomes even more impressive considering the challenges posed by diminishing purchasing power and inflation.
As March remains women’s month and commemoration of International Women’s Day, Nairametrics highlights some of Nigeria’s exemplary female producers who stand as catalysts for inclusion and agents of growth within the dynamic Nollywood industry.
13. Bolanle Austen-Peters
Bolanle is a lawyer, acclaimed movie and theatre director/producer, and cultural entrepreneur. Recognized by CNN as the “woman pioneering theatre in Nigeria,” she is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and Terra Kulture, an arts and culture centre in Lagos.
Forbes Afrique named her one of the most influential women in Africa, acknowledging her numerous awards for contributions to the arts.
Additionally, Austen-Peters founded Terra Academy for the Arts in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, focusing on empowering young individuals.
Her impactful work extends to previous collaborations with the United Nations.
12. Ruth Kadiri
Ruth Kadiri is a Nigerian actress, screenwriter and producer. Tagged as the Queen of YouTube Nollywood, the female producer garners an average of 2 million views per movie hosted on the video platform.
Ruth Kadiri has made significant contributions as a screenwriter and film producer- with productions such as Mad Wife, Married and Diary of a Pregnant Wife. She has been involved in crafting compelling scripts for various Nollywood projects, showcasing her storytelling skills.
Before focusing primarily on production, Ruth Kadiri made her acting debut in 2003 with the movie “Boys Cot.” Since then, she has consistently delivered captivating performances across a diverse range of films. Her ability to embody various characters with depth and authenticity has earned her widespread recognition and respect within the industry.
Some of her notable works as an actress include roles in films like Matters Arising, Over the Edge, and “Husbands of Lagos.
11. Omoni Oboli
Omoni Oboli stands as a preeminent figure in Nigeria’s film industry, despite facing a temporary hiatus from the industry due to family commitments, she has navigated the fast-paced landscape with success over the last two decades.
Oboli is not only a seasoned actress but also a trained digital filmmaker, having honed her skills at the prestigious New York Film Academy. Her creative energy is evident in a myriad of screenplays, including notable works such as ‘Fatal Imagination,’ ‘Being Mrs Elliott,’ ‘The First Lady,’ and ‘Wives on Strike.’
In 2010, Omoni Oboli clinched the Best Actress – Narrative Feature award at the Los Angeles Movie Awards and the Best Actress award at the Harlem International Film Festival.
In 2018, she took on the dual roles of star and director in the comedy film “Moms at War” which starred Funke Akindele and has produced many movies for cinema and various streaming platforms.
Notably, Oboli has leveraged the digital space, particularly on YouTube through her channel, Omoni Oboli TV. Hosting productions like “Marriage of Inconvenience” and “A Night in July,” she has amassed an impressive five million streams for her movies.
10. Toyin Abraham
Toyin Abraham stands as a stalwart in the Nollywood realm, boasting an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Commencing her journey in 2003, she has not only graced the screen as an actress but has also ventured into directing and producing.
Her cinematic repertoire includes notable works such as “Ijakumo –The Born Again Stripper,” and the blockbuster “Malaika,” which emerged as one of the highest-grossing movies in December 2023, amassing N300 million—the pinnacle of her box office achievement yet.
Other notable movie pieces include “Fate of Alakada” in 2020, which garnered N113.2 million at the box office. Following this success, “Alakada Reloaded” also raked in N70 million.
She also produced, “Seven and a Half Dates(2018), and The Ghost and the Tout(2018).