Meet Nollywood’s top female directors shaping the future of film

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

Nollywood, Africa’s largest film industry, has long been dominated by men behind the camera.

However, a strong wave of female directors is reshaping the industry, bringing fresh perspectives, compelling storytelling, and creativity to the screen.

Funke Akindele (The box office queen)

Few Nollywood directors wield as much influence as Funke Akindele. Beyond her popular acting career, she has become a powerhouse filmmaker, with back-to-back box office hits. Her 2023 film A Tribe Called Judah made history as the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦1 billion. Alongside hits like Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street, and Everybody Loves Jenifa, she has amassed a total gross of ₦4.5 billion. Akindele’s professional  combination of comedy, drama, and social story-line has made one of Nollywood’s most bankable directors.

Bolanle Austen-Peters (Queen of historical epics)

Known for her focus on historical and socially conscious stories, Bolanle Austen-Peters brings depth and nuance to Nollywood cinema. Her films like Bling Lagosians and The Man of God have earned critical acclaim. Austen-Peters bridges cinema and theatre, evident in her epic Netflix film House of Ga’a and the biopic Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, shining a light on history, culture, and social justice.

3. Biodun Stephen (Queen of emotionally-driven films)

Biodun Stephen excels at crafting stories that tug at the heartstrings, exploring family, love, and societal expectations. Known for hits such as Breaded Life, Sista, Introducing the Kujus, and A Simple Lie, her films often blend humour with deep emotional story-line that resonate widely. Her ability to tell authentic, relatable stories has made her a consistent filmmaker in Nollywood.

4. Kemi Adetiba

Kemi Adetiba is synonymous with bold storytelling and innovative filmmaking. After the massive success of The Wedding Party (2016), Nollywood’s highest-grossing film at the time, she further got known for her reputation with the political crime thriller King of Boys (2018). Adetiba’s fearless approach, complex characters, and stunning visuals have raised the bar for Nigerian cinema.

Jade Osiberu – The crime and action filmmaker

Jade Osiberu has carved a niche in the action and crime genre with movies like Sugar Rush, Gangs of Lagos, Brotherhood, and Christmas in Lagos. Through her production company, Greoh Studios, Osiberu continues to push Nollywood’s boundaries with thrilling narratives and dynamic cinematography, bringing fresh, international appeal to Nigerian films.

Iyabo Ojo

With an innate passion for storytelling, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has expanded into movie production and directing. In 2004, she founded Fespris Productions, dedicated to producing quality films that connect with audiences. Recently, she premiered her highly anticipated historical drama Labake Olododo nationwide on March 28, 2025. Directed by Biodun Stephen, the film explores themes of loyalty, power, and leadership and is a collaboration between Fespris Productions, FilmOne Studios, Abazee Productions, and Alaba Ultimate.

Iyabo Ojo also directed Between Lies (2024), which was exclusively released on her YouTube channel, Iyabo Ojo TV. Her romantic movie Beyond Words premiered on the same platform in April 2024. In addition to directing, Ojo has produced and starred in various films, including Beyond Disability (2014) and Astray (2016), having produced over 14 of her own movies.

Toyin Abraham

Award-winning Nigerian actress and producer, Toyin Abraham, made her directorial debut with her feature film Listening Ears, which was released on July 23, 2021. Her new movie Ìyálóde was premiered on June 1, 2025, and boasts an amazing cast, including Muyiwa Ademola, Gabriel Afolayan, and Kehinde Bankole, among others.