Top 5 Female Directors in Nollywood

These women have not only made a name for themselves but have also contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Nigerian film industry.

They have displayed exceptional skill, vision and creativity in their work, creating compelling and thought-provoking stories that resonate with audiences both locally and internationally, breaking down traditional barriers and making a mark in the male-dominated industry.

Here are the top 5 Nollywood directors who are producing some of the best movies in the industry:

Kemi Adetiba, a multi-talented Nigerian filmmaker, has proven to be one of the most outstanding female film directors the country has ever produced. In addition to directing movies, she is also an accomplished filmmaker and music video director.

Born on January 8, 1980, she is the daughter of Mr. Dele Adetibaa veteran of broadcasting and advertising, and Ms. Mayen Adetibaa civil engineer.

Her passion for the entertainment industry began when her father introduced her to the industry and she began her career as a radio host at Rhythm 93.7fm. She hosted popular shows like ‘Soul’d Out’ and ‘Sunday at the Seaside.’

Despite studying law at the University of Lagos, Adetiba soon realized that his calling was in the entertainment industry. She followed her passion and established herself as a renowned filmmaker, with several accomplishments to her credit.

She later enrolled in the New York Film Academy to study acting to further develop her craft.

He directed his first short film, ‘Across the Bloodied Ocean’ in 2008. The film starred in Ighodaro Bears and dee spencer and it was written, produced and directed by Adetiba herself. The short film was screened at the 2009 Pan African Film Festival and the National Festival of Black Arts in Atlanta.

In 2016, he directed his first feature film, the popular ‘The Wedding Party’, which was a huge success. He went on to direct two other hit movies, ‘King of Boys’ and its sequel, ‘King of Boys: The Return of the King.’

His work has been featured on popular television channels like Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, BET, and Netflix. His film ‘King Of Boys’, a political thriller, stayed in theaters for 14 straight weeks and grossed ₦104 million.

Apart from her prominent work in the film industry, Adetiba is also known for directing music videos for some of Nigeria’s top artists including Wild Tiwa, Wizkid, Banky W, Olamidaand others.

His various talents and exceptional abilities have earned him numerous nominations and awards. She was nominated for Music Video Director of the Year for The Headies in 2014 and won the City People Entertainment Award for Music Video Director of the Year in 2015.

Adetiba also won the HNWOTY Award for Woman of the Year in Film and Television in 2017.

Mildred Okwo is a renowned Nigerian film director and producer, known for her exceptional contributions to the Nigerian film industry.

Born on April 29, 1966 in Lagos State, Nigeria, she had a passion for entertainment from a very young age, which ultimately led her to continue her academic studies in Theater Arts at the University of Benin.

He later went on to study law at Whittier Law School, Orange County, California, USA, and also earned a Bachelor of Business from California State University.

Okwo’s film career began in 2005 when he filmed his first film, ’30 Days’. The film, which had nine African Film Academy Awards (AMAA) nominations, received critical acclaim and established her as one of the country’s best female film directors.

In 2012, he directed the romantic comedy-drama film ‘The Meeting’ which topped the Nollywood box office in the country and garnered numerous awards including the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (AMAA) and the Nollywood Movies Awards.

Her other directorial works include ‘Suru L’ere’ in 2016, which was another blockbuster and won several awards at the African International Film Festival and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

In 2020, he directed the highly anticipated ‘La Femme Anjola’, which features Nollywood stars such as rita dominic and Nonso Bassey.

His films have won numerous awards, both locally and internationally. She was nominated for the Best Director award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards and was also named one of Elle magazine’s “50 Women Shaping Africa” ​​in 2016.

In addition, he is a founding member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee, which is in charge of selecting the Nigerian film that will represent the country at the Academy Awards.

Okwo has recently appeared in a number of documentaries and interviews, including a BBC documentary on female film directors in Nigeria.

Her exceptional storytelling and directing skills have placed her at the forefront of the Nigerian film industry and have made her a role model for young filmmakers in the country.

She is a multi-talented Nigerian film director, actress and producer who has gained wide recognition for her contributions to the entertainment industry.

Born on August 24, 1977 in Lagos State, Nigeria, her acting style quickly won the hearts of many movie lovers. She is best known for her role in the iconic TV series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’, which has become a household name in Nigeria and beyond.

Akindele has produced and starred in several hit movies including ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’, ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ‘Chief Daddy’. His film ‘Battle on Buka Street’ is currently the highest grossing film of all time.

In addition to her prowess as an actress and producer, she has also directed several movies. Her directorial debut was in 2011, with the movie ‘Return of Jenifa’, a spin-off of the popular TV series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. Since then, she has directed a few other movies including ‘Her Excellency Her’ and ‘War Moms’.

Osiberu is undoubtedly one of the most talented and creative directors in the Nigerian film industry. With his exceptional writing and production skills, he has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry.

Born on August 18, 1985 in Lagos, Nigeria, Jadesola attended the University of Manchester where she earned a degree in Computer Systems Engineering. She later went on to acquire a master’s degree in Media and Communications at Pan Atlantic University.

After working for a while in her field of study, Jadesola decided to pursue her passion for film. She honed her directing skills working on TV series like ‘Gidi Up’, ‘Rumour Has It’ and ‘The Juice’ while working with Ndani TV.

Through his work on these series, he quickly built a reputation for his unique vision and storytelling abilities.

Osiberu’s directing skills were put to the test when he directed his first film ‘Isoken’ which won Best Nigerian Film at the 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

His second film was ‘Sugar Rush’, a romantic comedy released in 2019 that featured some of Nollywood’s most notable actors, including Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Omoni Oboli, and Bisi Ayeola. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

In 2022, she became the first African female filmmaker to sign an exclusive master agreement with Prime Video. Her highly anticipated ‘Gangs of Lagos’ will be the platform’s first Nigerian original. Her exceptional talent has been recognized by many and she has won several awards for her work in the film industry.

Temitope Oshin is a talented director with a knack for creating captivating stories that come to life on the big screen. Her directing skills are unmatched and she has established herself as one of the leading directors in the film industry.

Born June 10, 1979 in Lagos, Nigeria, she studied economics at the University of Ilorin. Then her interest shifted to public administration and she left the program to pursue her dreams.

He later completed a degree in Theater Arts and Film and Television Production at Lagos State University, which laid the foundation for his film career.

After graduation, Oshin honed his skills at the Colorado Film School at Aurora Community College, Denver, where he majored in film directing.

His dedication to his craft paid off as he directed as many as 750 episodes of some of Africa’s biggest drama series including ‘MTV Naija Shuga’, ‘Tinsel’, ‘Hotel Majestic’ and ‘Hush’.

Oshin is also responsible for directing some of the most successful films in the Nigerian film industry. Her directing credits include ‘New Horizons’, ‘Journey To Self’, ‘Up North’ and ‘New Money’.

Her directorial skills have been recognized by some of the biggest names in the industry and she has become a role model for aspiring filmmakers. With her passion and dedication to her craft, there is no doubt that Oshin will continue to make her mark in the film industry.