“Nigeria’s biggest filmmakers are all Yoruba” – Chude Jideonwo

• Media personality Chude Jideonwo claims that the leading filmmakers in Nigeria predominantly come from the Yoruba-speaking region, significantly shaping Nollywood.
• He highlights influential figures such as Toyin Abraham, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, and Femi Adebayo as key contributors to the industry.
• Chude Jideonwo emphasizes that Yoruba-led films are widely available on major streaming platforms like Netflix.
• He notes the scarcity of Hausa and Igbo-language films on global platforms, suggesting that Yoruba filmmakers have become the most prominent in the industry.

Media personality Chude Jideonwo recently asserted that the leading filmmakers in Nigeria predominantly come from the Yoruba-speaking region.

In a reflective Instagram post, he discussed the significant impact of Yoruba filmmakers on the Nigerian film industry, particularly in Nollywood.

Chude Jideonwo cited several prominent names, including Toyin Abraham, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, and Femi Adebayo, emphasizing their crucial roles in shaping Nigerian cinema.

He noted that films produced by these filmmakers are increasingly prevalent on global streaming platforms such as Netflix, underlining their influential position in the industry.

“The Yoruba filmmakers are the biggest in the industry,” Jideonwo said in part, pointing out the overwhelming presence of their works on major streaming services.

He observed that, while Yoruba films have garnered international recognition, productions in Hausa and Igbo languages remain underrepresented on these platforms.

He further challenged his audience to consider the lack of Hausa or Igbo-language films on platforms like Netflix or Amazon, citing Genevieve Nnaji’s “Lionheart” as a rare exception.

“The biggest filmmakers in Nigeria now are all Yorubas. Think about it: Kemi Adetiba, Jade Osiberu, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, Kayode Kasum, Toyin Abraham, Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe and Oga Bello’s son that do every movie, including ‘Beast of Two Worlds’ and ‘Jagun Jagun’—and Bolanle Austin-Peters.

“Think about it: most of the mainstream, big cinema, and streaming movies are all by Yoruba people. What has happened is that the Yoruba filming culture has merged itself into the other groups that are leading again.

“Can you name one Hausa or Igbo-language movie on Netflix or Amazon? The closest was Genevieve’s ‘Lionheart’ many years ago. Only Yoruba movies are able to exist on Amazon, Netflix and become mainstream cultural hits,” Chude Jideonwo added.

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