The Nigerian film industry isn’t what it used to be anymore. There are more innovations in making our Naija films more appealing to international audiences. Naijassador has revealed that there are more collaborations between Nollywood and other movie industries like Hollywood. All of these feats could only be achieved with the contributions of great filmmakers, producers, and directors.
One such force to reckon with in the movie industry is Kemi Adetiba. She has indeed turned around the Nigerian film industry to greater levels. Kemi Adetiba is a multi-talented director, screenwriter, and music video director. Adetiba has carved her name as a pioneer and visionary storyteller, whose work has captivated audiences both locally and internationally.
This article from Naijassador will reveal to you all you need to know about Kemi Adetiba and her impact on the movie industry.
Early life
Kemi Adetiba was born on January 8, 1980, in Lagos state, Nigeria to her parents, Dele and Mayen Adetiba. As a young child, she was featured in a Television commercial for the popular Nigerian detergent brand OMO which aired in the 90s. Kemi Adetiba’s father Dele Adetiba worked in the advertising and broadcasting industry and he was an icon. Her mother, Mayen Adetiba is a civil engineer. She was the first elected female civil engineer in the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Kemi Adetiba hails from the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria and her state of origin is Ekiti State. Her mother, Mayen is Efik. Born into a rich family with successful parents, nothing short could be expected from the young Kemi. She liked storytelling even as a young child but didn’t realize this until she grew much older. That was why even after obtaining a law degree she went back to her first love which is filmmaking.
Kemi Adetiba was raised alongside two brothers Remi and Bamidele Adetiba. Like his sister, Remi Adetiba is also in the entertainment industry. He is a creative director and photographer who is based in New York. Remi teemed up with his sister, Kemi to produce the movie, ‘King of Boys’. On the other hand, Bamidele Adetiba Jnr is not in the entertainment industry, however, he is a fitness professional, athlete, and business entrepreneur. The Adetiba family are of diverse careers and all are successful in their chosen fields.
Education
Kemi Adetiba attended the Atlantic Hall High School for her secondary school education. She obtained a law degree from the University of Lagos and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.
Career
Despite having a law degree, Kemi Adetiba took a different interest in entertainment. She began her journey in the entertainment industry when she worked as a presenter with a popular radio station in Nigeria known as Rhythm 93.7 FM. While at the radio station, Adetiba was the voice behind popular radio shows like Sunday at the Seaside and Soul’d Out. This early experience laid the foundation for her confident and engaging communication style, which would later translate seamlessly into her film-directing career.
Adetiba’s love for visual storytelling led her to transition easily from radio to television. She began her career officially as a storyteller by producing and presenting shows on Mnet, including Studio 53 and Temptation Nigeria. This experience broadened her creative horizons and allowed her to hone her skills in directing and captivating audiences through the power of moving images.
While at Mnet, Adetiba worked along famous TV host, Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa. She also was a presenter for the famous TV station, Soundcity TV. Adetiba was also a TV host and she showed her talent in this field when she hosted the TV show, Maltina Dance All for three consecutive seasons.
To further propel her into the movie scenes, Kemi Adetiba took a great step by going back to study. She attended the New York Film Academy to fully grasp what it entails to work behind the cameras. After completing her studies, Kemi Adetiba emerged in the Nigerian movie industry and she became the spotlight and celebrity director. Her series of works today can fully tell anyone of her dedication and hard work over the years. Adetiba is not only a force to reckon with in Nigeria but also on the international scene.
Kemi Adetiba Movies
Coming into the Nigerian movie industry, Kemi Adetiba took the industry by surprise when she released her blockbuster movies back to back. Let’s take a look at her famous movies over the years.
Bloodied Ocean
This was a short film from Kemi Adetiba and it was screened at the Pan African Film Festival and National Black Arts Festival in 2009.
The Wedding Party
In 2016, Adetiba broke onto the Nigerian film scene officially with a bang, directing the romantic comedy “The Wedding Party.” This commercially successful film smashed box office records and became the highest-grossing Nigerian film ever made at the time. “The Wedding Party” was praised for its relatable characters, humor, and glamorous depiction of modern Nigerian life. On 8 September 2016, The Wedding Party premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as the opening film of the City-to-City Spotlight.
The movie, Wedding Party was also premiered at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on 26 November 2016. It was well attended by celebrities and other entertainers. The film became a huge success and by 2017, a sequel to the movie ‘The Wedding Party 2’ was another huge success and added more feathers to the great director. The Wedding Party starred big names in the entertainment industry like the celebrity couple, Banky Wellington, Adesuwa Etomi-Wellington, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, and so on.
King Women
In 2017 Adetiba presented a show titled King Women where she interviewed different women in the entertainment scene. Notable king women include her mother, Mayen Adetiba, Chigul, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, TY Bello, and Tara Durotoye.
King of Boys
In 2018, Adetiba further solidified her status as a leading Nigerian filmmaker with the release of the crime thriller “King of Boys.” This critically acclaimed film explored themes of corruption, ambition, and power in Nigerian society, showcasing Adetiba’s ability to tackle complex narratives with depth and nuance. The film’s success led to a sequel, “King of Boys: The Return of the King,” which was released in 2021 to further acclaim. This film was written, produced, and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It was a huge success and was widely received. The movie featured top movie stars like Sola Sobowale who played the major characters, ill Bliss, Toni Tones, Jide Kosoko, Reminisce, and lots more.
Music directing
Kemi Adetiba’s career is all-encompassing and she has also directed several music videos. Her popular works include directing the videos for the song “Ekundayo” by TY Bello, “Today na Today” by Omawumi, “Onye” by Waje and Tiwa Savage, “Anifowose” by Olamide “Sitting on the Throne” and “Say” by Bez. She has also won several awards for her music video directing including the Best Female Video for the song “Ekundayo” by TY Bello at the Soundcity TV Music Video Awards and the Best Female Video for the song “Today na Today” by Omawumi at the 2010 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Kemi Adetiba’s impact on the Nigerian film industry extends far beyond her filmmaking achievements. She is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, both in front of and behind the camera. Adetiba actively mentors and supports up-and-coming filmmakers, particularly young women, and tirelessly works to create opportunities for them to excel in the industry.
Kemi Adetiba’s journey is far from over. This talented director continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a successful filmmaker in Nigeria. Her work has not only entertained audiences but also sparked important conversations about social and cultural issues. As she continues to tell stories that resonate with people all over the world, one thing is certain: Kemi Adetiba is a name that will be etched in the history of Nigerian cinema for generations to come.
The filmmaker established her own production company known as Kemi Adetiba Visuals (KAV). The company focus on film production, documentaries, directing music videos and online content. This production company is also responsible for the creating of the movies Kemi Adetiba produces and directs.
Kemi Adetiba’s Awards and Recognition
Some of the awards and nominations won by Kemi Adetiba throughout her career in the entertainment industry are listed below:
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Director (nomination)
- City People Music Award for Music Video Director of the Year (nomination)
- City People Movie Award for Best Movie Producer of the Year (English) (nomination)
- Nigeria Entertainment Award for Music Video of the Year (Director) (nomination)
- City People Movie Award for Movie Director of the Year (English) (nomination)
- Soundcity TV Music Video Awards for Best Female Video for the song “Ekundayo” by TY Bello (Won)
- 2010 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for the Best Female Video for the song “Today na Today” by Omawumi
- Best Music Video Director of the Year at The Headies 2014. (Nomination)
- City People Entertainment Award for Best Music Video Director Of The Year (2015) (Won)
- HNWOTY Award for Woman of the Year in Film and Television (2017)
Personal life
Kemi Adetiba got engaged to her husband Oscar Heman-Ackah who is a Ghanaian music executive on January 28, 2022. The engagement party was done during a family vacation in Ghana. The director was proposed to in the presence of her loved ones. On April 23rd, 2022 Kemi Adetiba and her husband, Oscar Heman-Ackah got married. In attendance were stars from different spheres of the entertainment industry like Sola Sobowale, Hilda Dokunbo, Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Ini Edo, Mercy Eke, and many others.
Oscar Heman-Ackah is the son of a Ghanaian father, Apostle Dave Heman-Ackah who is also the founder and Senior Pastor of Rainbow Christian Assembly. His mother Pastor Rhoda Heman-Ackah is from Delta state in Nigeria. Oscar is a music executive and producer who has worked with notable artists. He is the chief executive officer of Soltracka Productions, a creative marketing, advertising, and production company.
It is no wonder the couple had a strong sense of connection when they meet each other for the first time. They have the same creative mind and it is likely they collaborate to create something interesting in the future.
Kemi Adetiba surgery
During the filming of the sequel to King of Boys, the ‘Return of the King’ Kemi opened up about her illness and surgery which she had before the movie began shooting. She explained how she had to struggle between shooting and going to the hospital. She also talked about her fibroid surgery which she had in 2015 and decided to share her story to inspire others. Adetiba shared her story on Instagram where she is very active and keeps her fans up to date on the latest events and happenings in her life.
Conclusion
The media personality and director has amassed wealth from her years of hard work as a director, producer, and media personality. Her movies are also blockbuster and their sales has contributed tremendously to her net worth. She also has several endorsements deals and businesses.
Adetiba’s new movie ’To Kill a Monkey’ is star-studded and is expected to grace the big screens very soon. As expected of the savvy filmmaker, this movie is filled with Nollywood stars who are all bringing in their A-game. Nothing short of perfection is expected from the iconic director.
Kemi Adetiba’s influence on the Nigerian film industry is undeniable. She is a role model for many aspiring filmmakers and a true inspiration to those who believe in the power of storytelling to change the world. She continues to craft engaging stories and her works remain a testament to hard work and dedication. Kemi Adetiba is not near retirement as she prepares the world to witness all she still has in stock to offer. Kemi Adetiba is a true force and an embodiment of success.
Things you should know about Kemi Adetiba, a Nigerian filmmaker.
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Written by Sarah Aboje
