At the heart of Nigeria’s film industry popularly known as Nollywood, several individuals have gained recognition for being the gladiators who have redefined and elevated the sector through their talent, hard work and passion.
Notable among them are Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer and director. She came to limelight with her exceptional role in her movie “Jenifa” in 2009, winning her African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role in 2009.
Since her rise to stardom, she has raised the standards of Nollywood. In 2021, her comedy movie “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” became the most-watched on Netflix. The movie also became Nigeria’s highest grossing film, raking in over N698 million. Her release in 2022 “Tribe of Judah” sets a new record as Nollywood’s highest-grossing film, beating her own “Omo Ghetto: The Saga”. “Tribe of Judah” shattered records, becoming the first Nollywood production to gross N1 billion at the box office.
Whenever Funke’s name is mentioned, success comes to mind. She has set numerous records and even broken her own records. She has raised Nollywood’s standards, inspiring innovative storytelling, diversity, and global recognition, transforming the industry into a dynamic, inclusive, and impactful force.
The actress has won several awards and recognitions which include Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for best actress. She also won Nollywood Movies Award (NMA) Lifetime Achievement Award as well as Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women. Funke has been known for inspiring up-and-coming artistes by giving them roles. She has always expressed her enthusiasm for supporting emerging talents in Nollywood, highlighting the rewards of mentoring young minds and her eagerness to collaborate on innovative projects.
Mo Abudu
Mosunmola Abdul is a Nigerian filmmaker and media mogul. She has continued to surmount hurdles in the Nigerian film industry, leading force in shaping the continent’s storytelling landscape. The top-grossing films in Nigeria feature several productions from Mo. “The Wedding Party 1 and 2” occupy the second and third spots, with earnings of N453 million and N433.2 million respectively. “Chief Daddy” secures fourth place with N387.5 million. In 2015, “Fifty” emerged as the highest-grossing film, accumulating N87 million.
According to Mo, her mission is to share authentic, untold Nigerian stories that showcase the African rich culture, heritage and creativity.
Mo’s legacy shines on the local scene as Netflix brings Nollywood to the world. Digital platforms have fuelled the industry’s global growth, cementing Netflix’s role in Nollywood’s new wave. She has received prestigious recognition as Africa’s most successful woman by Forbes. Additionally, she was inducted into The Hollywood Reporter’s List of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television in 2017, a distinction she first achieved in 2013 following the launch of EbonyLife TV.
Notably, Mo was the sole African woman on the list, underscoring her remarkable influence. She made history by becoming the first African recipient of the prestigious Medailles d’Honneur at the 2019 MIPTV ceremony in Cannes, France.
Following the ESFTA announcement, Mo joined forces with LACI, a Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture initiative, to establish the EbonyLife Creative Academy. Offering free programmes, the academy trains 120 emerging creatives each semester.
AY
One of the Trojans in the Nigerian movie industry is Ayodeji Richard Makun known by his stage name AY.
The comedian, actor, writer, producer and film director has redefined the movie industry with his blockbuster movies starting with “30 Days In Atlanta” which broke records at the box office.
Ayo Makun came into the spotlight when he was Alibaba Akporobome’s personal assistant and event manager. He started to make waves with comedy skits and made a successful brand as host of the AY Live.
His debut movie, “30 Days in Atlanta” released in 2014 was produced by him and directed by Robert O. Peters.
It premiered on October 31, 2014 and was recognised as the highest-grossing film of all-time in Nigerian cinemas in 2015.
Before “30 Days In Atlanta”, AY had featured in “Being Mrs Elliott”. The maverick AY who is the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment Nigeria, consolidated with “A Trip To Jamaica” released in 2016. “10 Days In Sun City” was the next production, all a sequel to the adventure of Akpos, a Nigerian courageous to make success from living outside his country.
Other flicks are “Merry Men 1 & 2” and “Christmas in Miami” released in 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively. Since AY created his brand of movies, the industry has taken note of the dude who seemed to have understood the business of entertainment and this spiked up his brand value making him to appear in other people’s productions like Mo Abudu’s “Wedding Party 1 & 2” using the “Star Power” casting option.
Odunlade Adekola
Odunlade Jonathan Adekola a Nigerian actor, filmmaker and director, hails from Ekiti State. Born on December 31, 1978, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from a humble family, his parents instilled in him the virtue of hard work and determination. Odunlade’s love and passion for acting made him join the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) after his primary and secondary education.
Odunlade’s lead role in “Ishola Duro Jaye” and “Asiri Gomina Wa” 2003 made him popular in Nigerian movie industry, won African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) Best Actor in comedy in 2018 and Best Supporting Actor and NET Honours Most Popular Actor 2022, Odunlade’s hard work and resilience stand out as one of the most talented actors and also the founder and CEO of Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).
His captivating and unwavering dedication earned him widespread acclaim and a devoted fan base made him one of the famous actors.
Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo is a Nigerian filmmaker, actor and producer. He started his career as far back as 1985.
His acting prowess was nurtured through apprenticeship under his iconic father, Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), a veteran actor with an unmatched legacy. Although he didn’t study Theatre Arts formally, Adebayo’s tutelage provided him invaluable training. With a remarkable career spanning over 500 Nigerian films, Adebayo has been honoured with four Best Yoruba Actor Awards at the esteemed Afro Hollywood Awards 17th African Film Awards, among several others.
Femi Adebayo’s filmography, including “Jagun Jagun” and “King of Thieves,” has significantly contributed to the revival of Yoruba cinema, appealing to a broader audience. His unique storytelling blends tradition with modernity, showcasing rich Yoruba culture.
Adebayo has reshaped the industry by producing unconventional storylines and themes, incorporating epic elements that captivate audiences. His films have broken box office records, appealing to diverse viewers.
To foster growth, Adebayo established a modern theatre institute in Ibadan to nurture young practitioners. He emphasises the importance of trained professionals handling specific areas, allowing them time to demonstrate their capabilities.
Lateef Adedimeji
Adetola Lateef Adedimeji is a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He came into limelight with his first major role in Kudi Klepto in 2013. Lateef is loved because of his versatility. In 2018, he won the Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) through his outstanding performances in the film “Kogbede”. He also won Best Actor Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) for his outstanding performance in the film: “Omo Ghetto” among several other awards.
Known for his versatility and acting prowess, Lateef has gained recognition for his role in various movies which has solidified him as one of the leading actors in the Nigerian film industry. Lateef has been involved in several projects that celebrate Nigerian cultures and traditions, helping people to reconnect with their heritage. He has revolutionised Nollywood through versatility, cultural storytelling, and advocacy. He’s known for diverse roles, promoting Yoruba heritage, mastering biographical portrayals, inspiring young talents, breaking stereotypes, and addressing social issues. His dedication and authenticity have elevated industry standards, cementing his status as a trailblazer.
Conclusion
Other gladiators in the movie industry are Bolanle Austen Peters, the CEO of Terra Kulture, Blessing Egbe, Charles Okpaleke of Play Network and a few others.
Indeed the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, is acclaimed to be the third best movie producing hub after Hollywood from the United States (US) and Bollywood from India, adding 2.3 percent to the national GDP.
According to a report, Nollywood contributes an estimated $600 million to Nigeria’s economy annually. In 2021, the industry contributed 2.3 percent to the nation’s GDP or $660 million. In 2023, the motion picture and music recording industry contributed roughly N154 billion to the country’s GDP, which is about $197.6 million. Nollywood is one of the world’s largest film producers and is considered a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and Africa. The industry has produced films and stars that have gained international recognition.
