(By Daniel Okechukwu) - These
Are the Women Pushing Nollywood to Greater Heights in 2019
From
Mo Abudu to Ema Edosio, these women are transforming Nollywood for the better.
Women have had a place in Nollywood since its inception, but that was mostly in front of the camera.
Behind the scenes, things have historically been governed by men: they produce
and direct the biggest films and generally dictate the market for Nigerian film.
In 2019, the
era of overwhelming male dominance is over, thanks to a new type of female
mogul personified best by Mo Abudu. Since the release of her first film Fifty in in 2015 she has ruled the Nigerian box office. Three films
she executive produced—The Wedding Party
1, The Wedding Party: Destination Dubai and Chief Daddy—sit atop the list of highest grossing Nigerian
movies of all time. The original Wedding Party grossed ₦453 million, its sequel did ₦500 million, and her latest Chief Daddy made over ₦300 million in three weeks.
Four of the
films produced by her film company EbonyLife are among the top 10 highest grossing Nollywood films. Mo
Abudu's success has ushered in a new trend of women making boss moves in
Africa's biggest film industry.
