Media personality Chude Jideonwo has sparked a conversation about the influence of Yoruba filmmakers in Nollywood, declaring them the most influential figures in the industry.
In a recent Instagram post, Jideonwo highlighted prominent names like Toyin Abraham, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Jade Osiberu, Kayode Kasum, Mercy Aigbe, and Bolanle Austin-Peters, emphasizing their significant contributions to the evolution of Nigerian cinema.
Jideonwo emphasised that Yoruba-led films dominate global streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, contrasting with the scarcity of Hausa and Igbo-language movies.
He pointed out that Genevieve’s ‘Lionheart’ was a rare exception many years ago.
He added that only Yoruba movies have been able to exist on Amazon, and Netflix, and become mainstream cultural hits.
Read Also: I fell abundantly in love with her, Chude Jideonwo pays tribute to Onyeka Onwenu
“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, does 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, and Netflix and become mainstream cultural hits”, he said.