Lights, Camera… Naija
There’s just something about ‘Naija’ that screams ‘action!’ like nothing else. Nigerians have this incredible knack for standing out, no matter where they find themselves, anywhere across the globe. Whether it’s how they talk, how they carry themselves, the uncompromising never-say-die attitude or never-back-down spirit they radiate, or the sheer brilliance that sets them apart in fields like music, film, and more.
That’s why when Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services with over 238 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages, wanted to do an event celebrating the genius of Nollywood and its finest talents, the incredible filmmakers and the masterminds behind the scenes – they didn’t think twice before naming it “Lights, Camera… Naija!”
With Nollywood’s finests gracing the red carpet, the Lights, Camera…Naija! event turned the glamorous spotlight on Nigeria’s brilliant creative talents and industry guests who wined and dined, in appreciation of their immense contribution to the industry’s phenomenal strides in Africa and across the world.
Basketmouth, the legendary comedian and entertainer, hosted the show with his signature wit and charm. The evening was amped up with soulful performances by the sensational Chike and the Afro-House queen, Niniola. And of course, the beats kept on spinning, courtesy of the ever-awesome Superstar DJ Sose.
And just so you know, Netflix knows how to show love, especially when it comes to Nollywood. The actors, directors, and writers – the unsung heroes behind the magic – were celebrated like never before. And why not? They’ve given us stories that have made us laugh, cry, and everything in between. Their contribution to Nollywood’s rise on the global stage is immeasurable.
Talent in this industry often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. But not at Netflix’s Lights, Camera…Naija. This was the night when powerhouse talent stood shoulder to shoulder, where legends and newcomers mingled, and where everyone felt like family. The spotlight shone on these remarkable individuals who’ve poured their hearts into making Nollywood shine.
At Lights, Camera…Naija!, Netflix saluted the pioneers who laid the foundation for Nollywood’s success. And they didn’t stop there – they gave a nod to today’s talents who are taking over the global stage with their captivating stories.
So there you have it, a night that epitomized Naija’s creative prowess, celebrated Nollywood’s unsung heroes and brought the magic of Netflix to life. It was a night for the stars, where talent shone brighter than ever before. And as the stars twinkled above, they had nothing on the radiance that lit up the Netflix red carpet.
From ‘October 1st’ to ‘Jagun Jagun’ and beyond…
It was just like yesterday when Netflix Naija officially launched in Nigeria. In 2020, the streaming giant officially launched its presence in the country. Announcing its arrival via its then-new Netflix Naija X handle (formerly Twitter), it tweeted, “N is for Naija. N is for Nollywood. N is the 14th alphabet. 14 is also how many great talents you’re looking at. N is for Netflix. But most importantly…hello, Nigeria!” The tweet was shared along with a photo of some of the Nigerian film industry’s most notable actors and filmmakers, including Banky W, Adesua Etomi, Kunle Folayan, Kemi Adetiba, Omoni Oboli as well as veteran actors Ramsey Nouah and Richard Mofe-Damijo and several others.
Prior to then, the distribution of Nigerian movies on Netflix started around 2015. At the time Netflix bought the rights of blockbusters such as Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1st,” Biyi Bandele’s “Fifty,” and several others after they had already been distributed in Nigerian cinemas. This was even before Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut ‘Lionheart’ was acquired by Netflix in 2018, becoming the very first Netflix original movie in Nigeria. Another first worthy of mention also is Blood Sisters, the very first Original Netflix Series.
Ever since, more and more Nigerian films have made their way to the platform after cinema runs, and this has become more frequent with each passing year. It will be hard to forget blockbusters like Up North, King of Boys, Isoken, Banana Island Ghost, Phone Swap, even Figurine, Mokalik, The Delivery Boy, Moms At War, Fifty, The Set-Up, The Arbitration, among others.
The Netflix-Nollywood partnership was a marriage made in Heaven – empowering local storytellers to create original content. Over the course of the pandemic when it officially launched, many Nollywood titles have already been uploaded onto the platform through this licensing deal, turning Netflix into a post-cinema haven for Nigerian cinema fans.
This aligns with Netflix’s vision for Africa: “Our continent has a wealth of diversity, multiplicity and beauty in stories that have yet to be told,” Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix’s head of African Originals had said. “And we want to be top of mind for creators in Nigeria, especially when it comes to stories they haven’t had a chance to tell yet.”
Even before its arrival in the Nigerian market, Netflix has prioritized the development of creative talent on and off the screen, and partnered with various leading Nigerian creatives and organizations to roll out skills development and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the pipeline of the next generation of Nigerian storytellers. One such partnership is with EbonyLife Amazon, Mo Abudu. Through EbonyLife, Abudu has produced over 5,000 hours of original television shows and top Nollywood films such as the aforementioned “Fifty” and “The Wedding Party,” which grossed 3.5 billion naira (about $11.5 million) in its 2016 release. Her partnership with Netflix gave birth to on-screen adaptations of literary works by two award-winning Nigerian authors, Lola Shoneyin and Wole Soyinka. Already, the latter’s “Death and the King’s Horseman,” has been adapted into a film.
And why not? Nollywood, the pride of Nigeria, stands as the second-largest employer in the country, closely following agriculture. The impact is staggering – back in 2014, Nollywood held a value of $5.1 billion, contributing a significant 5% to Nigeria’s GDP. While the roots of Nigerian cinema stretch back to the 1960s, it wasn’t until the 1990s and 2000s that the industry truly flourished. The catalyst? The convergence of digital technology and internet distribution opened up a new era of possibilities.
Over the last three decades, Nollywood filmmakers have maintained an independent spirit, churning out around 50 movies per week. This tireless dedication fueled the industry’s growth, gradually shaping it into a force to be reckoned with. However, a transformative moment arrived when Netflix entered the picture.
Since Netflix’s arrival on Nigerian shores, its mission has been clear: to nurture creative talent both on and off the screen. This commitment isn’t just lip service – they’ve teamed up with prominent Nigerian creatives and organizations, spearheading initiatives designed to train and empower the upcoming generation of storytellers. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about reinforcing the very foundation of storytelling, a cornerstone of cultural expression.
The journey leading up to recent hits like “Jagun Jagun,” “One for Sarah,” and “The Rise of Igbinogun” has been a winding one from 2015 to its official launch in 2020, the trajectory has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. As for the present and future? There’s no room for doubt – Netflix’s presence in Nigeria is a lasting commitment.
With a focus on empowerment, training, and the perpetual celebration of the storytellers who infuse life into screens both big and small, Netflix has firmly etched itself into the narrative of Nollywood’s evolution. As the curtain rises on new stories, new talents, and new horizons, the partnership between Netflix and Nigeria is poised to illuminate the entertainment world with a brilliance that’s uniquely Naija.
More To Come From the Stables of Netflix
Known for delivering exciting and diverse entertainment programming from both Nigeria and around the world, audiences can expect an even more riveting lineup of films and series from Netflix in the next coming months. Netflix has shared an exciting and diverse slate of upcoming films and series – which include returning fan favourites that will land on the service throughout the last quarter of the year and the beginning of 2024.
The upcoming slate of Nigerian stories that span various genres and themes include new local films and series from Editi Effiong, Mo Abudu, Charles Okpaleke, Kunle Afolayan, and Kemi Adetiba. The titles are currently in different stages of production and once completed, they will make their debut on Netflix to over 238 million members around the world in more than 190 countries.
Ben Amadasun, the Netflix Vice President for Content in the Middle East and Africa, said, “We are fortunate to bring incredible projects from some of Nigeria’s most prolific creators. Collaborating with them has enabled us to showcase Nigeria’s immense storytelling talent and creativity and make Netflix the home of the best Nigerian stories for our audience in Nigeria and around the world.”
The licensed titles from Nigeria’s prolific filmmakers will include much-anticipated films and series that will all make their global premieres on the service. The exact dates for each title will be shared closer to the launch dates:
The Black Book is a much-anticipated mystery and crime thriller film by Editi Effiong and Anakle Films. In this story, old scores bubble to the surface when a gang of corrupt policemen kills a man’s only son, and he begins a search for justice. The film is directed by Editi Effiong, who also produced alongside Kemi Lala Akindoju, and features a star-studded cast with Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ade Laoye as lead cast members, working alongside Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo; Olumide Oworu, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Patrick Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Branch, Denola Grey, Kelechi Udegbe and Nobert Young. The title was shot by BAFTA-winning cinematographer, Yinka Edward.
Blood Vessel is a mystery and crime thriller film from Charles Okpaleke and Play Network Studios. The story revolves around a group of six friends who find themselves caught in the crossfire and attempt to flee to South America as stowaways on a ship as unrest grows over a mega coup plotting in their hometown along the Niger Delta. The film is directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Agozie Ugwu, Arafat Bello-Osagie & Roxanne Adekunle-Wright. The lead cast includes David Ezekiel, Adaobi Dibor, and Jide Kene Achufusi.
Ijogbon is a coming-of-age drama-adventure film about four teenage youths from a rural village in South-West Nigeria who stumble across a pouch of diamonds and conceal it, to grave repercussions. The story was created by director Kunle Afolayan and produced by Golden Effects Pictures. The cast features Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Oluwaseyi Ebiesuwa; Fawaz Aina of Ikorodu Boiz; Yemi Solade; Gabriel Afolayan and Bimbo Manuel.
Aníkúlápó (series): Another title from Kunle Afolayan and Golden Effects will be the spinoff of the much-beloved Yoruba epic, Aníkúlápó, which will make its return to the screens as a four-part sequel following the success of Aníkúlápó the movie. The series, directed and produced by Kunle Afolyan, will feature returning stars Sola Sowobale, Kunle Remi, and Bimbo Ademoye alongside Owobo Ogunde, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, Eyiyemi Afolayan, Uzee Usman, Oyinda Sanni and Taiwo Hassan.
War: Wrath and Revenge is a brand-new drama series from Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios. A spin-off from the popular Sons of the Caliphate, WAR follows Nuhu Bula’s rise to the governorship of Kowa, treacherously orchestrated by his wife Binta, who would stop at nothing to see her husband succeed. When Binta discovers her husband is about to take a second wife, the wrath of a woman scorned will stop at nothing to protect her love. Mo Abudu is the series’ Executive Producer. Dimbo Atiya will be in the director chair’s guiding a star-studded cast including Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed, Patrick Doyle, Ayoola Ayolola, Ifeanyi Kalu, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman”, Mickey Odeh, Sophia Muhammed, Uzee Usman, Padita Agu, and Ahide Adum.
Òlòtūré (series): Following the success of the Òlòtūré film, Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios’ feature on human trafficking, the story will return to Netflix as a series, where Òlòtūré, a young journalist continues her undercover work as a journalist crossing the Benin border. Her perilous journey will take her through the hostile lands of Niger and Libya to the Mediterranean as she desperately tries to find a way out. Kenneth Gyang makes his return as a director with the beloved cast featuring Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Beverley Osu, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Stan Nze, Amarachukwu Ono, Bukola Oladipupo, Daniel Etim Effiong and Patrick Doyle taking up their roles in the series.
Several other licensed titles are currently in production and will make their debut on the service in 2024 – one of which is Kemi Adetiba’s much-anticipated crime thriller series, To Kill A Monkey, starring William Benson and Bucci Franklin in the lead roles and includes cast support by Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Dami Adegbite, and Ireti Doyle. The series – written and directed by Kemi, who also produced it alongside Remi Adetiba – recently kicked off production. More information about the story and the cast will be shared later.
For those who’ve mastered the art of Netflix and Chill, the good news continues. Netflix’s Basic Plan is now available starting from just N1200. It’s the perfect way to dive into a world of limitless entertainment, whether you’re into drama, action, romance, or comedy. Terms and conditions apply, but you can find out all the details on Netflix.com.