Why are Nigerian Female filmmakers making the most money in Nollywood?

Female filmmakers appear to be taking the lead in the male-dominated Nigerian film industry, as they are behind the highest-grossing Nollywood films.

Interestingly, filmmakers produced five of the top-grossing Nollywood films between 2016 and 2022.

Nigeria’s highest grossing film, ‘Omo Ghetto; the Saga’ (2020), which has grossed over N600 million from theaters, was produced by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.

Also, Zulumoke Oyibo, a Nollywood filmmaker, has produced two of the top three highest grossing Nigerian movies, ‘The Wedding Party 1 & 2’.

While Mo Abudu produced ‘Chief Daddy’ which is ranked 4th on the list of highest grossing movies at the box office, Jade Abimbola produced ‘Sugar Rush’, the 5th highest grossing Nollywood film at the box office.

Nollywood actress Funke Akindele produced Nigeria's highest grossing film, 'Omo Ghetto; the Saga' (2020), which grossed over N600 million in theaters.

In addition, Nollywood filmmaker Zulumoke Oyibo produced two of the top three highest grossing Nigerian films, 'The Wedding Party 1 & 2'.

While Mo Abudu produced 'Chief Daddy,' which is the fourth highest grossing Nollywood film, Jade Abimbola produced 'Sugar Rush,' which is the fifth highest grossing Nollywood film.

Ms. Oyibo, a Nollywood filmmaker, revealed why Nigerian filmmakers produce the highest-grossing Nollywood films in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES newspaper at a film premiere in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Ms. Oyibo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions, a leading film production company, stated that female filmmakers push themselves beyond what they face as wives, mothers, and filmmakers.

"With all my heart, I say that the production companies are making the best movies in Nollywood." "I am honored to be a Nigerian filmmaker," she stated.

“If you look at the five highest-grossing movies in Nollywood history, you will notice that they were all produced by women.”

However, despite her successful career, Ms. Oyibo also pointed out that female filmmakers still face the biggest challenge of financing their films due to their genre.

He claims that most investors are much more supportive of their male counterparts.

"This is because it's natural for people to invest in people who look like you, speak like you, and believe they can do the same things you can," he explained.

Male investors, according to the filmmaker, frequently invest in their male counterparts to finance men's dreams rather than women's.

Ms. Oyibo also advocated for more female representation in the film industry. She stated, We need to represent ourselves more in movies, we don’t just want women who are wives or girlfriends, or we want women who are at the top of their game and willing to take risks and control their world.”

“We would need more women in high-ranking and parasternal positions because it goes beyond the film industry, it goes into financing, so we just need more representation,” she added.

When asked how she balances her work and marriage, the filmmaker explained that the work of a producer is very intellectual.