Yoruba filmmakers are most relevant in Nigeria’s film industry – Chude Jideonwo

Chude Jideonwo

Yoruba filmmakers are most relevant in Nigeria’s film industry – Chude Jideonwo

“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.”

Prominent media personality, Chude Jideonwo, has stirred discussions by claiming that the biggest filmmakers in Nigeria hail predominantly from the Yoruba ethnic group.

Jideonwo made this statement while reflecting on the dominance of Yoruba filmmakers in the country’s film industry.

In a recent Instagram post, he noted the great influence of Yoruba filmmakers, naming noting popular industry stars such as Toyin Abraham, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, and Femi Adebayo.

He stressed that these filmmakers have made a global impact, particularly through their presence on major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon.

Jideonwo argued that while Yoruba films have become cultural hits on international platforms, Hausa and Igbo-language films have struggled to gain similar visibility.

“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”.

He further noted that while films like Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart were exceptions, Yoruba-language films continue to dominate global streaming platforms, standing out as the primary representation of Nigerian cinema abroad.

“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.”