BY EMMANUEL THOMAS I Tuesday, Oct13, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian film industry known as Nollywood today employs thousands of people, Nigerians and many foreigners, The current boom in the industry dates back to the early 80s when Ken Nnebue and his team produced Living In Bondage before many others embraced it.
Although, some of these Icons are late, some no longer active, they owe the credit for what has today become a trademark and pride of Nigeria. We called them Makers of Nollywood. They created Nollywood out of nothing without any support from government.
We present a tribute to icons, who bequeathed Nollywood to their generation, present and those coming in the future.
We are starting with Zeb Ejiro
Zeb Ejiro is a monumental pioneer and producer often dubbed the “Sheikh of Nollywood,” he created legendary early hits like Living in Bondage, associated as a key early force, Domitilla, and Mortal Inheritance.
He remains active in creative advocacy, mentorship, and content creation, occasionally consulting and contributing to industry development initiatives.
Opa Williams
What he has done: He is known for shaping the Nigerian comedy and entertainment landscape as the producer of the famous Nite of a Thousand Laughs stand-up comedy series and Nollywood films like Blessed Curse.
He has largely stepped back from active large-scale show promotion following health challenges over the years, but remains a respected elder statesman of entertainment.
Gab Okoye better known as Gabosky
Gabosky is a major pioneer in film distribution and executive production who bankrolled iconic early projects like Nneka the Pretty Serpent and The Battle of Musanga.
He is alleged to have faced significant financial setbacks following attempts to institutionalize national distribution frameworks with the Bank of Industry. He now operates largely out of the limelight, occasionally offering industry commentary.
Femi Lasode
He is a veteran filmmaker, producer, and musician best known for directing the landmark historical epic Sango in/ 1997, which brought international cinematic attention to Nollywood.
He is n/ow involved in media education, cultural promotion, and running collective copyright and broadcasting initiatives.
Emem Isong
Emem Isong is a prolific producer and writer who anchored the romantic drama boom of Nollywood, creating major hits like Emotional Crack, Games Women Play, and Reloaded under Royal Arts Academy.
She continues to produce films, and run her academy training young talent. She also distributes content via streaming platforms and cinema chains.
Madu Chikwendu
Madu is a foundational director, writer, and former guild leader who played crucial structural roles in the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and produced numerous commercial home videos.
He remains active behind the scenes in film policy, advocacy, and administrative consultancy within the creative sector.
Kenneth Nnebue
Kenneth Nnebue is widely recognized as the ultimate pioneer of the modern home-video era, having commercially mass-produced and funded Living in Bondage (1992) on cassette, which birthed the Nollywood industry.
He has largely transitioned into private business and real estate investment, keeping a low profile away from active filmmaking.
Fred Amata
He is a celebrated actor, director, and producer from the famous Amata dynasty who starred in and directed numerous classic Nollywood films, including Mortal Inheritance.
He remains active in acting, directing, and industry leadership, having previously served as president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).
Tunde Kelani
Kelani is a legendary cinematographer and director who elevated cultural storytelling with cinematic masterpieces like Mainbodo, Agogo Eewo, Thunder Bolt, and Saworoide.
He continues to direct culturally rich films through his outfit, Mainframe Productions, while actively training young cinematographers through workshops.
Mike Bamiloye
Mike Bamiloye is the pioneer of Christian drama in Nigeria, founding Mount Zion Faith Ministries and producing impactful spiritual films like The Ultimate Power and Agbara Nla.
He is still actively writing, producing, and expanding Christian-themed series and movies via television broadcasting and streaming applications.
Lancelot Imasuen
Imasuen is a dynamic filmmaker, television producer, and media entrepreneur who produced notable talk shows and films.
He operates across independent media production, digital content creation, and corporate communications.
Teco Benson
Benson is an iconic action-genre director who shaped high-octane Nollywood thrillers in the 2000s, including State of Emergency and Dangerously Yours.
He remains involved in directing and advocacy regarding film copyright enforcement and industry standards.
Kunle Afolayan
Afolayan is a critical darling and box-office titan who bridged the gap between old Nollywood and modern global cinema with masterpieces like The Figurine, October 1, and Aníkúlápó.
He runs Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP), managing his film village, training academy, and multi-project partnership deals with global streaming giants like Netflix.
Tade Ogidan
Tade Ogidan is a master storyteller, writer, and director renowned for high-production-value classics like Owo Blow, Diamonds, and Rico.
He continues to produce high-end television series and feature films through OAYS TV and ODC Media.
Obi Emelonye
Now based in the UK, the Nigerian director is credited with redefining Nollywood’s technical standards with major international crossovers like The Mirror Boy, Last Flight to Abuja, and Oxford Gardens.
He splits his time between international co-productions, directing, and mentoring aspiring filmmakers globally.
Mahmood Ali-Balogun
He is a versatile filmmaker, producer, and cultural activist whose film Tango With Me received widespread acclaim.
He is heavily engaged in pan-African film distribution, copyright society, advocacy, and festival organization, serving key roles in various film coalitions.
Evangelist Hellen Ukpabio
She is a controversial evangelist and filmmaker who produced numerous religious deliverance-themed movies through Fundamental Doxology Productions in the 90s and 2000s.
She now focuses primarily on her ministry and church leadership, with her film output significantly reduced.
Hilda Dokubo
She is an iconic, highly decorated actress and producer who delivered powerhouse dramatic performances in classic films like Evil Men, Jihad, and Without Love.
She combines acting with youth advocacy, public speaking, and political/social development work in Rivers State.
Nollywood makers who have passed
We are starting with the lovely Amaka Igwe
Amaka Igwe was a visionary writer, director, and producer who created stellar television masterpieces like Checkmate and Fuji’s House of Commotion, alongside classic movies such as Rattle Snake and Violated. She also founded Amaka Igwe Studios and Top Radio FM.
She passed away tragically from asthma complications in April 2014 at the age of 51, leaving behind an unmatched legacy of professionalism and institutional growth in Nigerian media.
Chief Eddie Ugboma
He was a pioneer titan of celluloid and video-film production in Nigeria who single-handedly wrote, produced, and starred in socio-political satire films like The Mask, Bolus 82, and Oyenusi during the pre-Nollywood and early Nollywood eras.
The pioneer chairman of Nigeria Film Corporation, NFC died in May 2019 after battling age-related illnesses, having spent his final years advocating for better welfare and structures for veteran Nigerian filmmakers.
Chico Ejiro
Chico Ejiro, better known as Mr. prolific was one of the most prominent pioneer film directors, screenwriters, and producers in Nollywood
Although he originally studied agricultural economics, Ejiro transitioned into filmmaking under the mentorship of his elder brother, legendary producer Zeb Ejiro.
He earned the name Mr. Prolific for his extraordinary speed and volume of output, directing and producing hundreds of movies through his production banner, Grand Touch Pictures. During peak periods in the 1990s and 2000s, he could shoot a feature film in as little as three days.
Ejiro directed classic early Nollywood hits such as Silent Night, Blood Money, and Night Bus to Lagos