In an industry historically dominated by men, particularly in Nigeria, a collective of influential women is leaving its mark and reshaping the Film industry with innovative ideas and exemplary leadership.
For International Women’s Day, we celebrate these women who are inspiring inclusion and actively breaking gender biases, fundamentally reshaping the future of Nigerian cinema.
Here are women who are inspiring inclusion and breaking gender biases in the Film industry
Sola Sobowale
Sola Sobowale has been a leading figure in Nollywood for decades. Known for her performances in films such as ‘Ori: The Rebirth’ and ‘Owambe Thieves’, she appeared in the top 10 supporting actresses in the industry. Her work has spanned a variety of roles, from traditional family dramas to contemporary stories, showing the range and depth women bring to Nigerian cinema.
Sobowale’s achievements highlight the impact women have on the narrative of Nigerian film, showing that leadership and influence in the industry are not only about producing or directing but also about bringing women’s stories to life on screen.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, producer, and politician. She is the founder of Scene One Productions, a film and television production company known for some of Nigeria’s most commercial projects.
She earned a degree in Law from the University of Lagos, and she later obtained a diploma in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She began her acting career in the late 1990s.
Akindele rose to national prominence with her role of “Jenifa” in the movie Jenifa, which eventually became a television series, Jenifa’s Diary. Over the years, she has produced and starred in several box-office hits, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which became one of the highest-grossing films in Nigerian cinema.
Beyond entertainment, she has served as a brand ambassador for multiple organisations and has been actively involved in political and social advocacy. In 2022, she contested as the deputy governorship candidate in Lagos State, further expanding her influence beyond film and television.
Through storytelling, entrepreneurship, and public service, Akindele continues to shape conversations around creativity, resilience, and women’s leadership in Nigeria.
Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo has built a long career in Nollywood as an actress, producer, and filmmaker. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous Yoruba and English-language films while also producing projects that centre on everyday Nigerian experiences. Through her work on and off screen, she has remained active in shaping how stories are developed and presented in the industry.
Beyond acting, Ojo established her own production platform, where she develops and produces films.
Her career reflects how women in Nollywood continue to expand their roles beyond acting into production and storytelling. In a few movies, she produced Labake Olododo, A historical Yoruba epic produced by Ojo that focuses on power, loyalty, and leadership.
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and producer in the Nollywood industry. She is the founder of Toyin Abraham Productions.
Abraham began her journey in the Yoruba film sector and gradually expanded into mainstream Nollywood, earning recognition for her dynamic performances and comedic timing. Toyin Abraham’s directorial debut film, Oversabi Aunty, grossed over N1 billion at the West African box office, making it one of the highest‑earning Nollywood films of all time and a milestone for her directing career
Over the years, she has produced and starred in notable box-office films, including Alakada and The Ghost and the Tout, both of which gained her a reputation as a leading filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Beyond acting, she has built a strong personal brand, serving as a brand ambassador for multiple organisations and using her platform to engage audiences across film, business, and social advocacy.
Feyifunmi Oginni
Feyifunmi Oginni is a film producer contributing to the commercial and creative growth of Nollywood. She gained industry recognition as a producer of The Herd, a film that recorded over N193 million at the Nigerian box office, reinforcing the influence of female producers in high-grossing cinema.
Through her work, Oginni has shown a strong capacity in project development, production coordination, and market positioning, ensuring that films are both creatively compelling and financially viable. Her role in delivering a commercially successful project highlights the expanding leadership of women behind the scenes in Nigeria’s film industry.
By championing large-scale productions and participating in revenue-driving cinema projects, she represents a new wave of female executives helping Nollywood’s economic strength and global relevance.
Bolaji Ogunmola
Bolaji Ogunmola is known for producing films that resonate with audiences while also achieving commercial success, proving that women can lead big projects both creatively and strategically. She co-produced the 2025 crime drama, ‘Gingerrr’, and the romance drama, Summer Rain, which earned her a combined N596 million.
Ogunmola’s work shows the importance of female voices behind the camera, from shaping stories and managing productions to making sure films reach wide audiences. Her career reflects how women are increasingly taking charge in Nigeria’s film industry, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for others. Some of her projects:
Bisola Aiyeola
Bisola Aiyeola has become a powerful voice for women in Nollywood, using her talent, visibility, and influence to inspire and empower others in the industry. Aiyeola was a co-producer of the movie Gingerrr together with Bolaji Ogunmola, Kie Kie (Bukunmi Adeag-ilori), and Wunmi Toriola. This was the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, with N522 million at the box office.
Rising to prominence after Big Brother Naija, she leveraged her platform to take on meaningful roles in films that showcase strong, relatable female characters, proving that women can lead both on screen and behind the scenes.
Beyond acting, Aiyeola mentors young female talents, encourages women to pursue diverse opportunities in entertainment, and challenges stereotypes that have historically limited women in Nollywood.
Uche Mordi
Uche Mordi has worn many hats in Nollywood, often as an actor. In 2025, she took the role of a scriptwriter, highlighting her prowess as a visionary storyteller. As a co-writer of the Nigerian blockbuster ‘Behind The Scene’, Mordi became one of the top rated scriptwriter for 2025 as she co-wrote the movie, which was the highest grossing fim of 2025.
Her journey is one of perseverance, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of telling stories that matter. Through her work, Mordi not only entertains but also inspires a new generation of women in Nollywood, writers, directors, and producers, setting the pace for younger generations.
Ife Olujuyigbe
Ife Olujuyigbe is proof that following your passion can redefine success. From her early recognition as a writer, winning state essay competitions, and excelling in national flash fiction contests, to her journey as a film critic.
Today, she stands as a filmmaker behind 2025 acclaimed projects like ‘Reel Love’ and ‘Ile Owo’(2022). Her change from Chemical Engineering to filmmaking highlights her courage to break conventions and pursue her creative calling, a bold move that inspires young women to trust their instincts and talents.
Ife’s work amplifies women’s voices in Nollywood, showing that women are not just participants in the industry; they are leaders, innovators, and storytellers shaping the narrative.
Nora Awolowo
Nora Awolowo is one of the few women working as a cinematographer in Nigeria’s film industry. She recently produced ‘Red Circle’, a 2025 crime thriller written by Abdul Tijani and directed by Akay Mason, and has worked on films including ‘Lisabi: The Uprising’,‘The Order of Things’, as well as several documentaries and short films.
In 2019, she registered with Rixel Studios, which now produces feature films, documentaries, short films, and brand projects. Through her work, she has focused on building a structured company that supports technical and creative teams, while planning productions with attention to distribution and audience engagement.
On this International Women’s Day, her work demonstrates how women can influence the stories told in Nigerian cinema and create opportunities for other women to follow.
Wura Toriola
Wura Toriola is a filmmaker and producer who has contributed to Nollywood through her works behind the camera. She has been involved in producing and managing projects that bring Nigerian stories to life, helping to shape both the creative and operational sides of filmmaking.
In 2025, she co-produced and starred in the N522 million-grossing crime drama ‘Gingerrr’ futher proving her can take on multiple roles and be the best at it.
Her career highlights the role women play in producing, directing, and managing films, areas where female representation is still limited. By taking leadership roles in production, Toriola ensures that women’s perspectives are included in how stories are told and how films are managed from start to finish.
