The Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has seen tremendous growth over the past few decades. This success can be attributed to the hard work and creativity of numerous individuals, including the unsung heroes behind the scenes – the screenwriters. These talented writers craft compelling stories that captivate audiences and drive the industry forward. Here, Naijassador spotlighted six top Nollywood screenwriters who are changing the industry with their innovative storytelling and exceptional writing skills.
Kemi Adesoye
Kemi Adesoye is a popular screenwriter who made an indelible mark on Nollywood. She is best known for her exceptional storytelling skills and ability to create relatable characters and engaging plots. Her debut in motion pictures was her role in the 2009 film, The Figurine directed by Kunle Afolayan for which he received a nomination at the African Movie Academy Awards. It became a major success, winning several awards and thus raising the bar for Nollywood films. She has also worked with popular TV series like “Tinsel” and Shuga, both of which have helped to expand the range of Nollywood. Due to her commitment to writing exceptional scripts, she has become one of the best screenwriters today.
Tunde Babalola
Tunde Babalola is a versatile and prolific screenwriter. The award-winning writer has crafted a plethora of successful films and TV series throughout his twenty-year career. Some of his works include The Meeting, a 2012 romantic comedy which won multiple awards and recognition and October 1, a historical thriller and Citation directed by Kunle Afolayan. Babalola’s storytelling is well-scripted, can relate to the human psyche and has a way of sending societal messages in between lines. His work is a reference point in Nollywood’s homage to his standards.
Chinaza Onuzo
Chinaza Onuzo is a gifted screenwriter and creator who has given so much to the new face of Nollywood. He is a founding partner of Inkblot Productions, a film production company that has produced several successful films. Onuzo has writing credits on films like “The Wedding Party” (2016), one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films ever, and its sequel “The Wedding Party 2” (2017). He often writes scripts that effectively blend humour, romance and drama, allowing production teams to reach large audiences. How he was able to achieve this makes him unique and admirable, earning his place as one of the big names now synonymous with Nollywood.
Tope Oshin
A multi-talent in Nollywood, Tope Oshin is a director who has also produced and written some films. She has also won several awards for her screenwriting work, including “Journey to Self” (2013), a film about women friendships as well the movie “Fifty” (2015), which centers on four Nigerian Women in their late 40s and fifties. One common trait of Oshin’s work was the creation of multi-faceted, sharply composed individuals, while also highlighting various social and personal issues. She is an influential voice in the new Nollywood, eliminating stereotypes and creating space for a broader representation of various female experiences.
Isioma Osaje
An emerging star in Nollywood, Isioma Osaje possibly can also be cited for their innovation and creativity in screenwriting. Some of the films she has so far worked on are “The Arbitration” (2016), and “New Money” (2018), a comedy-drama about a young woman whose life changes by sudden wealth. This is what makes Osaje’s storytelling so relevant and relatable to the younger demographic of today. It remains to break ground in Nollywood, telling new stories and giving perspectives that would not have crossed the average writer’s mind.
Yinka Ogun
Yinka Ogun is a professional screenwriter with a unique voice of originality. Some of the films he has written include “Surulere” (2016), a romantic comedy that dissected the travails of young professionals in Lagos, and “Isoken” (2017), a movie which looked into societal pressure on single women. Ogun’s writing is characterized by its humour, emotional depth, and ability to address social issues through compelling storytelling. The mark he left on Nollywood provided higher standards of script writing and set an epitome for great delivery.
Conclusion
These six screenwriters are at the forefront of Nollywood’s transformation, bringing fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and high-quality storytelling to the industry. Their work continues to shape the future of Nigerian cinema, inspiring both audiences and aspiring screenwriters. As Nollywood continues to grow and gain international recognition, the contributions of these talented writers will remain integral to its success.
Written by Sarah Aboje
