Last year, Nigerian films graced several international film festivals. We were well-represented by Babatunde Apalowo’s All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White and CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s Mami Wata, amongst other short films.
Towards the end of the year, the book adaptation of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s Debut novel, I Do Not Come To You By Chance joined the fold and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This was met with positive reactions from lovers of film and books, as the film also enjoyed a homecoming at AFRIFF.
As exciting as having a Genevieve Nnaji-produced project back on screen, something else caught my attention, a familiar name, Ishaya Bako, from Kaduna, credited as the director. In observation of the Nollywood filmmaking space, directors from the North are not frequently seen in the mainstream zone, possibly due to the obvious fact that the epicenter of the Nigerian film industry is situated in Lagos.
However, after this initial casual observation, I realized there are other notable Nollywood projects directed by “Northern” filmmakers that have gone unnoticed by some of us. So I made this unlimited list that features some in Lagos, some from the central region of Nigeria, and a few up North.
(Editor’s Notes: Given the prevalent issue of ethnic mislabeling in a country as diverse as Nigeria, and the crucial necessity to accurately identify people’s origins, it’s important to clarify that certain filmmakers listed are from the central region of Nigeria, not necessarily from the North.)
I DO NOT COME TO YOU BY CHANCE (Ishaya Bako)
Ishaya Bako is at the top of this list because he inspired this. Seeing Bako’s name as the director of the Genevieve Nnaji-executive produced I Do Not Come To You By Chance, I instinctively knew I had to curate a list of Northern filmmakers making waves in mainstream Nollywood. Ishaya Bako, a Kaduna-born director who has directing credits spanning over a decade in the Nigerian film industry doubles as the co-writer (alongside Chika Anadu) in this book adaptation. Before I Do Not Come To You By Chance, Bako also worked as a writer on Netflix’s first Nigerian Original film, Lionheart, making him a major collaborator of Genevieve Nnaji. As a director, he is also behind Road to Yesterday (2015), Royal Hibiscus Hotel(2017), and 4th Republic (2019).
His recent directorial effort, I Do Not Come To You By Chance, having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, follows the story of Kingsley, a recent graduate who has struggled to be gainfully employed. He decides to help his uncle with his email scam, to raise his family out of poverty. In a bid to maintain his position as the Opara and not become “unsuccessful” like his father, he gets caught in a web of fraudulent activities. Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Paul Nnawdiekwe (Afamefuna), Beverly Osu (Palava!), Emeka Nwagbaroacha (Far from Home), and Jennifer Eliogu star in this film After its festival run, we hope to see the movie in the cinemas or on any of the streamers. Bako is also credited as a producer on Beyond The Veil (2022), a Prime Video series that explores family, relationships and friendship in the life of 5 friends from Northern Nigeria.
BLOOD SISTERS (Kenneth Gyang)
EbonyLife Studio’s Blood Sisters (2022) was one of Nollywood’s biggest projects of 2022. The limited series tells the story of Sarah and Kemi, two friends played by Ini Dima-Okojie and Nancy Isime respectively. Sarah’s engagement party with her heartthrob, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawan) seems to be going well until tragedy strikes. This leads to the two friends running from facing the law amongst other dangers. The 4-episode thriller is Netflix’s First Nollywood original series, co-directed by the Plateau state indigene, Kenneth Gyang and the late Biyi Bandele. In this listicle, the Barkin Ladi-born Gyang is our focus.
The filmmaker has a directing filmography spanning a decade, starting with his debut feature film Confusion Na Wa (2013). He has directed over 5 films and 3 series. When he is not working on any of his passion projects at Cinema Kpatakpata, he frequently directs projects produced by Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife. These projects include Olótúré (2020); Sons of the Caliphate (2016- 2018), a story that revolves around Northern royalty; and Castle and Castle (2019).
THE LOST OKOROSHI (Abba T. Makama)
Makama is one of the directors who might raise eyebrows for being on the list, an indigene of Plateau state. In his second feature The Lost Okoroshi, a mystic-cultural comedy, we follow a disillusioned security guard fed up with the soulless city. Raymond Obinwa (Seun Ajayi) yearns for re-connection between man, spirit, and traditional society. One morning, our protagonist wakes up to discover he’s been transformed into a purple-costumed spirit. Having lost his voice, he must navigate Lagos in this new form. His journey takes him across various circles of society, to the club, and even into a secret society bent on claiming the masquerade as their own.
Before The Lost Okoroshi (streaming on AppleTV+) Makama had directed Green White Green (2016) and Visions (2017). The Lost Okoroshi solidifies him as one of Nigeria’s most exciting indie filmmakers. Also, his filmography and affiliation with the Surreal16 Collective show that Makama is committed to telling stories that are in touch with our cultural core. Another indication is the 2021 Juju Stories, a three-part anthology he made with other Surreal16 members CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi and Michael Omonua.
93 DAYS (Steve Gukas)
The Ebola virus hit Africa in 2014 and was the first of its kind in many decades. Aside from the most recent COVID-19 pandemic that led to a worldwide lockdown, the world has not seen anything like this in recent years, in terms of the danger and the widespread panic that it caused. 93 Days (2016) explores this story of The Ebola Virus in Nigeria and is also made in memory of the Heroic Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh who put her life on the line to ensure that the deadly disease did not spread. Alongside Bimbo Akintola who plays Dr. Stella, the film also stars Seun Ajayi, Danny Glover, Seun Ketembe, and Keppy Ekpeyong. 93 Days was released in cinemas in 2016 and currently showing on Prime Video.
Directed by Steve Gukas who believes films should be used to address important topics of society, had previously directed A Place in The Stars, another topical Nigerian film that touches on the widespread of counterfeit drugs. Steve Gukas, also an indigene of Plateau state, studied Television Production at NTA College, Jos, Theater Arts at the University of Jos, and Film production at the London Film School, UK. Recently, he has been more active as a producer, working on Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2018) and mentoring first-time feature filmmakers under his First Features initiative that has birthed CAKE, Love and Life, It Blooms in June and Kill Boro.
BEYOND THE VEIL (Nadine Ibrahim)
As the name gives away, Beyond the Veil is a story of 5 Northern Muslim women; Hanifa (Maryam Booth), Badriya (Norah Ego), Zainab ‘Zizi’ (Ame Aiyejina), Na’ima (Jemimah Osunde) and Surraya (Habiba Zock-Sock) as they navigate life, relationships, and family in a conservative society. The first season of the Prime Video series was released in 2023 with 6 episodes.
Behind the project is Nadine Ibrahim, from Kaduna who has directed 2 short films and has worked as Assistant Director in the 2017 movie Hakkunde. Nadine Ibrahim, who has spent time abroad, is dedicated to “spotlighting underrepresented voices through her compelling narratives.”
THE PLAN (Atiya Dimbo)
The Plan (2023) is the last on this list but that does not make it less of a big deal. The Netflix series is the story of a widow who has the “perfect plan” to hide her late husband’s stolen cache of gold with the help of her two friends. The series stars Rahama Sadau, Rosy Meurer, Oyinye Ezikwe, and Mofe Duncan. The Plan is directed by Nassarawa state indigene Dimbo Atiya.
Just like Nadine Ibrahim, Atiya’s focus is on telling contemporary Northern stories. A lot of his projects are North-driven which can also be seen in The Plan and his award-winning Africa Magic series Rishantes (a spin-off of Halita), which won the 2022 AMVCA award for Best Africa Magic Original series. He is also credited as director for Still Falling (2019), and Sons of Caliphate (2016-2018) with Kenneth Gyang.
With filmmakers from the North marking their mark in mainstream Nigerian film space, we’re optimistic about having more culture-specific Northern stories gracing our mainstream screens, big or small, very soon.
Another filmmaker to have on your radar is Diane Precious Yashim from Kaduna, known as Diane Russet. A BBNaija alumni, thriving in filmmaking as a producer and executive producer, she won the best Original series at the 2023 AMVCA with her series, Ricordi.
This list wasn’t written in any order.
Also, this list is not limited to the above. Share the names of more people we should know about.
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