2023 Critics Poll: List of Participating Critics and How They Voted

We have broken down all of the individual votes that were counted as part of the 2023 What Kept Me Up Critics Poll. 

You can find the full list of this year’s results here.

The rules once again:
– Films released to the general audience for the first time between December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2023.
– The critics could select up to 3 names in the directors and performances category, which were counted as individual votes at the end.
– Every critic could select their top 5 films (as listed under their names below). They were awarded points as shown:
1st place: 10
2nd place: 5
3rd place: 3
4th place: 2
5th place: 1

2022 Critics Poll: List of Participating Critics and How They Voted

In order of submission

What Kept Me Up

Kanaani
Mami Wata
The Trade
Battle on Buka Street
Love in a Pandemic

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Tola Olatunji (Kanaani)
Performances: –

Ayodele Olawumi, What Kept Me Up

Battle on Buka Street
Kanaani
The Trade
Mami Wata
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: Tolu Olatunji (Kanaani), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata)
Performances: Gabriel Afolayan (Kanaani), Ivie Okujaye (Kanaani), Funke Akindele (Battle on Buka Street)

Jeremiah John, Freelance

Mami Wata
The Trade
Sista
Gangs of Lagos
All Na Vibes

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Biodun Stephen (Sista)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Kelechi Udegbe (Mami Wata), Uzoamaka Aniunoh (Mami Wata)

Mrs C, Iroko Critic

Mami Wata
Charlie and the Boys
Gangs of Lagos
The Trade
Sista

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Iyabo Ojo (Gangs of Lagos)

Mr Critic, Iroko Critic

Mami Wata
The Trade
–
–
–

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Iyabo Ojo (Gangs of Lagos)

Dika Ofoma, Feelance

Gangs of Lagos
Mami Wata
Ijogbon
–
–

Directors: Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos), C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), and Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon)
Performances: Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Rita Edochie (Mami Wata), and Kayode Jnr Ojuolape (Ijogbon)

Seyi Lasisi, Afrocritik

Mami Wata
The Trade
Sista
4:4:44
Jolly Roger

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (The Trade)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Kelechi Udegbe (Mami Wata)

Samuel Tunji, The Film Village

Gangs of Lagos
Battle on Buka Street
Sista
Jagun Jagun
4:4:44

Directors: Jade Osiberu (Gang of Lagos),  Editi Effiong (The Black Book,) Niyi Akinmolayan (House of Secrets)
Performances: Ibrahim ‘Itele’ Yekini (Jagun Jagun)

Michael Kolawole, Freelance

The Trade
Mami Wata
–
Sista
4:4:44

Directors: Jade Osiberu (The Trade), C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Biodun Stephen (Sista)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Olarotimi Fakunle (Gangs of Lagos)

Inemesit Udodiong, Pulse Nigeria

Big Love
Mikolo
Love in Pandemic
Gangs of Lagos
The Trade

Directors: BB Sasore (Breathe of Life), Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna), Babatunde Apalowo (All the Colours of the World are Between Black and White) – all ineligible because they fall outside the consideration window.
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Efe Irele (House of Secrets), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos)

Samson Toromade, Pulse Nigeria

The Trade
Mami Wata
Gangs of Lagos
A Weekend to Forget
The Black Book

Directors: Jade Osiberu (The Trade), C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Damola Ademola (A Weekend to Forget)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Tayo Faniran (Gangs of Lagos), Olarotimi Fakunle (Gangs of Lagos)

Babatunde Lawal, Nollywood Reinvented

Mami Wata
Ijogbon
4:4:44
Jagun Jagun
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos), and Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon)
Performances: Olarotimi Fakunle (Gangs of Lagos), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Kehinde Bankole (Sista)

Oge, Nollywood Reinvented

Gangs of Lagos
Mami Wata
The Trade
The Black Book
Adire

Directors: Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos)
Performances: Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos)

Oluwaseyi, Nigerian Movies Review

The Trade
Sista
Jagun Jagun
Gangs of Lagos
The Black Book

Directors: Biodun Stephen (Sista), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Adebayo Tijani & Tope Adebayo Salami (Jagun Jagun)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)

Halimah Yusuf, Halimah Thebird on YouTube

Jagun Jagun
Gangs of Lagos
Sista
The House of Secrets
4:4:44

Directors: Adebayo Tijani & Tope Adebayo Salami (Jagun Jagun), Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos), Niyi Akinmolayan (House of Secrets)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade)

Japheth Josiah, Freelance

The Trade
Gangs of Lagos
The Black Book
Ijogbon
Sista

Directors: Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Biodun Stephen (Sista), Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon)
Performances: Tobi Bakre (Gangs of  Lagos), Nse Ikpe Etim (4:4:44), Kehinde Bankole (Sista)

Daniel Okechukwu, In Nollywood

The Trade
Mami Wata
Gangs of Lagos
Big Love
The Black Book

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of  Lagos), Nse Ikpe-Etim (A Sunday Affair)

Alice Johnson, AJ4short on YouTube

Here Love Lies
The Black Book
Big Love
All Na Vibes
Sista

Directors: Tope Oshin (Here Love Lies), Biodun Stephen (The Wildflower) – ineligible because it falls outside the consideration window, Editi Effiong (The Black Book)
Performances: Tobi Bakare (Gangs of Lagos), Lateef Adedimeji (Jagun Jagun), Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos)

Solomon Obi, Popcorn and Reels

Battle on Buka Street
Gangs of Lagos
Sista
Jagun Jagun
The Black Book

Directors: Jadesola Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos), Ishaya Bako – (I Do Not Come to You By Chance) – ineligible because it falls outside the consideration window, Editi Effiong (The Black Book)
Performances: Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos)

Godwin Ayomide Wayne, Waynes Rants

The Black Book
Battle on Buka Street
The Trade
Sista
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: Editi Effiong (The Black Book)
Performances: Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book), Blossom Chukwujewku (The Trade), Kehinde Bankole (Sista)

Joseph Jonathan, Afrocritik

Mami Wata
The Trade
4:4:44
Sista
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Izu Ojukwu (4:4:44)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Kehinde Bankole (Sista)

Osamudiamen Joseph, Film Rats Club, What Kept Me Up

Mami Wata
The Trade
Egun
Almajiri
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata),  Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Carmen Ike Okoro (Egun)
Performances: Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos)

Jerry Chiemeke, Freelance

The Trade
Mami Wata
Gangs of Lagos
Jagun Jagun
Sista

Directors: Jade Osiberu (The Trade)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos)

Focus The Batman, Popcorn and Reels

The Trade
Mami Wata
Gangs of Lagos
Battle on Buka Street
Adire

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Jade Osiberu – not counted because voter failed to state the considered film, Ishaya Bako (I Do Not Come To You By Chance) –  ineligible because it falls outside the consideration window
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos)

Ini-Abasi Jeffrey, Freelance

Big Love
The Trade
Jolly Roger
Gangs of Lagos
The Black Book

Directors: Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon), Jade Osiberu (Gangs Of Lagos), Bioudun Stephen (Big Love)
Performances: Najite Dede (The House Of Secrets), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Daniel Etim Effiong (Jolly Roger)

Micheal Olaleye Anika, TheCinemaRadar

4:4:44
The Trade
Sista
The House of Secrets
Gangs of Lagos

Directors: Izu Ojukwu (4:4:44), Jade Osiberu (The Trade), Niyi Akinmolayan (The House of Secrets)
Performances: Najite Dede (The House of Secrets), Nse Ikpe Etim (4:4:44), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade)

Otosirieze, Open Country Mag

Jagun Jagun
Battle on Buka Street
The Trade
Gangs of Lagos
Ijogbon

Directors: Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun), Tobi Makinde and Funke Akindele (Battle on Buka Street), Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chike (Gangs of Lagos), Mercy Johnson (Battle on Buka Street)

Tito Abumere, Freelance

The Trade
A Weekend to Forget
Jagun Jagun
The Bride Price
–

Directors: Jade Osiberu (The Trade)
Performances: Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade)

Michael Aromolaran, The Culture Custodian

Mami Wata
Sista
The Trade
Gangs of Lagos
Ijogbon

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista)

Tha Revue, tharevue.com

Sista
Here Love Lies
Jagun Jagun
To Freedom
Jolly Roger

Directors: Tunde Kelani (Ayinla) – ineligible because it falls outside the consideration window, Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun), Walter Taylaur (Jolly Roger)
Performances: Daniel Etim Effiong (Jolly Roger), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos) and Chike (Gangs of Lagos)

Pearl Osibu, Pearl Osibu on YouTube

Mami Wata
The Trade
Ijogbon
Jagun Jagun
The Black Book

Directors: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi (Mami Wata), Kunle Afolayan (Ijogbon), Biodun Stephen (Sista)
Performances: Kehinde Bankole (Sista), Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata), Najite Dede (The House of Secrets)

You can find the full list of this year’s Critics Poll results here.

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