Women breaking the bias in Nigeria’s entertainment industry

There are several women in Nigeria’s entertainment industry that have been blazing the trail in the industry. Despite the male dominance in the industry, they have been able to not only survive but forge a path for other women in the industry through their excellence and deligence With International Women’s Day creating another opportunity to celebrate women, it became imperative to identify some women in the industry that have made a mark with their achievements in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Mo Abudu

She is the first of many in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. From Moments with Mo she has risen to produce African content globally with several awards and recognition to her credit. With boiling passion for positive narrative around Africa through African content, she established EbonyLife TV. The first Africa first global black entertainment and lifestyle in 2013. She has not stopped since then as her determination had paid off with deals with Sony and Netflix opening doors to the African stories. EbonyLife is working on several projects, including a futuristic story of a Lagos police officer. She has been producing the highest-grossing movies locally with The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy and their sequels.  

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Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

She is the founder of Africa Film Academy a body that governs the Africa Movie Academy Awards presented annually to recognise excellence among professionals both African or other nationals that have contributed to the development of entertainment on the continent. The award is widely considered to be Africa’s most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa. The award has been held outside Nigeria but that of 2021 was held in Lagos with filmmakers across the globe converging under the same roof to celebrate African cinema. ‘Eyimofe’ and ‘The Gravediggers Wife’ from Nigeria and Somalia respectively, both won multiple awards at the event.

Osinachi Egbu

She has been doing the country proud with her music. The way maker produced by Sinach as popularly called has been making waves even outside the country. She received a certificate of recognition from the 18th Congressional District of Texas, California State Assembly and the Mayor of the City of Carson, California. Her song way maker won two Song of The Year awards, the Dove Awards 2020 and the Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI) 2021. She is among the most viewed Nigerian music artist on YouTube.

TY Bello

She was a member of the defunct KUSH, a gospel band. The band was responsible for Let’s live together that advocates the need for Nigerians to live in unity. On leaving the band, after some years, she released Green Land that went on to win Nigeria Music Award and Sound City Award. She later combined photography which has also made her take work with several personalities including President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Muhibbat Abdussalam

Muhibbat is said to be the only female director and still the only one in the history of Kannywood. The Kaduna born actress was said to have been inspired by her husband, who is a popular and a senior director in the industry, Hassan Giggs.

She has directed movies like ‘Yarda’, ‘Mutum’ and others.In 2019, Nafisat Abdullahi announced that she will join the train by putting on the director’s cap in her movie: Zainab Ali, but the film is yet to kick start.

Rahama Sadau

In September, 2021 Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau announced her presence on the set of the Bollywood movie, Khuda Hafiz chapter two. She shared her pictures on the set alongside popular Indian actor, Vidvut Jammwal. Seeing her in the movie location sparked many reactions among Kannywood actors and beyond, with many actors like Ali Nuhu congratulating her on the feat. She is the first Kannywood actress to feature in an Indian movie. She has also been featured in several Nollywood movies including Chief Daddy 2.