Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, one of Nigeria’s most decorated on-air personalities and celebrity entrepreneurs, has been appointed as co-founder and co-executive producer of TNC Africa, one of Africa’s most promising media and entertainment startups.
TNC Africa, co-led by Olawale Adetula, is behind web series like My Name is A-Zed, Little Black Book and Our Best Friend’s Wedding, a rom-com series that also starred Olateru-Olagbegi. The former OAP also starred in Heaven Baby, a short film directed by Damilola Orimogunje which screened at NollywoodWeek 2021.
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Since ending her 13-year stint as an OAP in December 2021 and a broadcast career that spanned 20 years, this is the next venture that the multihyphenate will pursue in a career that remains rooted in entertainment.
In a statement stating her motivations, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi says, “my time as a media girl has come to an end and now, I am transitioning behind the microphone to explore more creative and business opportunities. I have listened to hundreds of Nigerians call into my shows for 20 years, and I can use that insight from them, the media, the entertainment industry to develop impactful and enjoyable content. I am excited for this new phase and what we can achieve together at TNC Africa.”
TNC Africa, launched in January 2021 by Olawale Adetula and Daniel Aideyan, is a digital-focused TV and film production company committed to taking original African Stories to the world. The outfit has created 300 hours of television; developed 4 original stories; amassed over 10 million content views in 1 year; and was recently recognised by Google’s Youtube as a member of the YouTube Black Voices Fund class of 2022.
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Gbemi already envisions to continue pushing to tell African stories the TNC way as she steps into the new role, adding, “many of us grew up watching foreign movies, and while there’s nothing wrong with their content, I want to see people from across the world consume our content voraciously. It will be powerful to see the demand for original African stories – stories that mirror our socio-economic situation and can capture our essence as Africans. But we need to stoke that desire with powerful storytelling that passionate creatives like TNC Africa can bring to the table.”
As co-founder and co-executive producer, Gbemi is expected to lead operations – a role which will see her taking charge of each of TNC Africa’s productions, end to end.
Co-founder, Olawale Adetula said, “We have always had a fantastic relationship with Gbemi from the inception of TNC. Whilst I am very proud of all that has been achieved together – her role as Kemi Manuel on our hit web series Our Best Friend’s Wedding which has amassed over four million views to date – I am even more proud of the ideas and projects that we have in store for the African market. I am positive that Gbemi coming on board will be a precursor for great things at TNC Africa.”
As a multihyphenate, Gbemi reiterates that she’ll still be involved in her other known business ventures, ‘‘I look forward to doing amazing work with the TNC Africa team, while also continuing to develop my other ideas and businesses, including Gbemisoke shoes and Speakerboxx Productions.”
A second season of Little Black Book is currently in production at TNC.
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