Nollywood is experiencing a surge of influential women behind the camera. In 2025, leading female filmmakers in Nigeria are driving blockbuster hits and critical successes. Readers searching for “top Nollywood female directors 2025” or “successful Nigerian women in film” will find that names like Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, Kemi Adetiba and others consistently top the list. For example, many ask: Who are the most successful female directors in Nigeria? The profiles below spotlight ten accomplished women filmmakers. Their work spans comedy, drama, and streaming originals — proof that Nigeria’s finest female storytellers are reshaping Nollywood.
1. Funke Akindele
Funke Ayotunde Akindele is a superstar actress-turned-filmmaker. She co-wrote and co-directed Jenifa franchise films and served as director on Omo Ghetto (2020) and Battle on Buka Street (2022). Dubbed Nollywood’s “Box Office Queen,” Akindele has led a string of record-breaking local films. Her 2024 comedy Everybody Loves Jenifa grossed over ₦1.8 billion, making it the highest-grossing West African movie ever. In addition to her star power on screen, Funke’s massive Instagram following (16M+) shows her sway with fans. Her influence and standout comedy have raised the bar for Nigerian filmmakers in 2025.
Funke’s recent films have continued to break records. Jenifa-related titles like Omo Ghetto: The Saga and Battle on Buka Street dominated box office charts, and her latest Jenifa sequel cemented her legacy. Fan communities often ask, “What are the top movies by women in Nollywood?” Funke’s films — now among the top-rated Nigerian comedies — answer that question. Critics note that every Funke Akindele production has surpassed the last in quality and earnings. Her charismatic persona and savvy social media presence have made her one of the most prominent female voices in Nigeria’s film industry.
2. Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu is a veteran media mogul and producer who has become a leading force in Nollywood. Founder of EbonyLife Media, she turned EbonyLife Films into a powerhouse studio. Under her leadership, EbonyLife co-produced major hits like The Wedding Party (2016) and its sequel The Wedding Party 2, and launched Netflix hits such as Fifty (2015) and Chief Daddy. Her company also produced the globally acclaimed series Blood Sisters (2022), which reached Netflix’s global top ten. Mo is widely credited with raising the profile of Nigerian movies overseas. In fact, her EbonyLife Films was acquired by Canal+ in 2019 — the largest media deal in Sub-Saharan Africa — and she stayed on as Managing Director. Her Instagram and LinkedIn presence reflect her status as one of Nigeria’s most important creative executives.
In recent years, Abudu has forged partnerships with international players: EbonyLife signed a multi-title deal with Netflix in 2020 to produce original Nigerian series and films. Projects like Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022 TIFF premiere) and new Netflix projects remain in the pipeline. Mo Abudu’s role as a producer means her influence is broad: she provides platforms and funding for other filmmakers in Nigeria. Many fans ask “Which female filmmakers are dominating Nigeria’s box office in 2025?” — Mo’s strategy of blending local stories with global platforms is a big part of the answer. By championing women’s stories through EbonyLife and her social media reach (over 1M Instagram followers), Abudu continues to champion female voices on an unprecedented scale.
3. Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba is a critically acclaimed filmmaker known for high-production Nollywood films. A former music video director, she made her mark in cinema with the hit rom-com The Wedding Party (2016). She followed that with King of Boys (2018), a gritty political thriller that became a huge success. Adetiba’s work has earned multiple awards, and in 2015 she was named by Pulse magazine as one of “9 Nigerian female movie directors you should know.” Kemi’s filmmaking style — glossy, impactful, and socially aware — made her one of the leading filmmakers in Nigeria.
While Kemi hasn’t released a new feature since King of Boys: The Return of the King (Netflix, 2021), her influence endures. She recently directed a Bollywood-Nollywood crossover series and mentors up-and-coming talent. Her Instagram following (500K+) remains engaged with any new announcements. In conversations about “Nigerian women directors”, Adetiba’s name often comes up for her track record. She has proven that women filmmakers in Nigeria can be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, inspiring the next generation to create top-notch Nollywood movies.
4. Jade Osiberu
Jadesola “Jade” Osiberu (born 1985) is a writer-producer-director who has quickly risen as a visionary storyteller. She founded Tribe85 Productions to bring African stories to the world. Jade co-wrote the smash comedy Sugar Rush (2019) — which led the Nigerian box office — and produced the romantic comedy Isoken (2017). In 2023 she made history as the first Nigerian director with an Amazon Prime Video original film. Gangs of Lagos (2023), a crime drama she directed and co-wrote, debuted to wide acclaim and entered Amazon Prime’s top-three global chart. Critics note her storytelling is bold and colorfully captures Lagos life. Jade won the 2018 AMVCA for Best Director and continues to be one of the most celebrated female directors in Nigeria.
Most recently, Jade wrote and directed the festive rom-com Christmas in Lagos (2024). The film celebrated the joy of family and featured Nollywood stars, further cementing her reputation. Jade also produced the coming-of-age series Everything Scatter (in production). Her Instagram (130K+) and Twitter showcase her creative life and advertising designs. Her combination of local roots and global reach makes her a standout among the new generation of filmmakers in Nigeria.
5. Biodun Stephen
Biodun Stephen is an award-winning screenwriter and director known for heartfelt dramas. A philosophy graduate turned filmmaker, she debuted in 2015 with The Visit — a touching family film that earned her an AMVCA nomination. She followed up by writing and producing the acclaimed comedy-drama Picture Perfect. Biodun’s movies often explore social and faith-based themes. Over time she built her own Shutterspeed Projects studio and won multiple awards, including an AMVCA nomination for Best Screenplay (Joba, 2019).
In recent years, Stephen remained prolific with films like Looking for Baami (2019) and the Netflix-distributed Introducing the Kujus (2020).Her storytelling is praised as most brilliant for capturing ordinary lives. While not as flashy as some colleagues, her films have loyal audiences. She is among the finest creative talents proving that independent female filmmakers in Nigeria can earn both acclaim and box office returns.
6. Tope Oshin
Tope Oshin is a veteran television and film director and producer. Active since the 2000s, she directed popular TV dramas (Shuga, Hush, Tinsel) before moving into cinema. She is best known for the box-office hits Up North (2018) and New Money (2018), both of which she co-directed. Both films featured ensemble casts of top actors and were among the highest-grossing Nigerian movies of their year. In addition, Tope directed movies such as Here love lies, the latter briefly held Nigeria’s grossing record.
After years in TV and film, Oshin turned to international collaborations. In 2020 she executive produced Amaka’s Kin: The Women of Nollywood, then produced MTV Base’s Shuga Naija (Season 5 & 6). She was showrunner for Netflix’s first Nigerian drama series, The Bridge. In 2024, she launched a documentary on climate issues and signed on as an executive producer for new streaming features. She proves that leading female directors in Nigeria can thrive across genres and platforms.
7. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nollywood icon who transitioned from acting to directing and producing. She made history with her directorial debut Lionheart (2018), the first Nigerian film acquired by Netflix. Genevieve wrote, directed, and starred in this excellent comedy-drama that showcased her multifaceted talent. A former actress with decades of experience, she founded The Entertainment Network (TEN) to nurture emerging talent.
Her follow-up projects include Road to Yesterday (2015) as producer and upcoming features slated for 2025 release. Genevieve’s work is praised as premium for its high production values and heartfelt storytelling.
8. Bolanle Austen-Peters
Bolanle Austen-Peters is the visionary founder and artistic director of Terra Kulture, a cultural hub in Lagos that fosters arts and entertainment. She transitioned into filmmaking with her debut feature The Bling Lagosians (2019), which showcased her knack for storytelling rooted in Nigerian culture and societal themes. A graduate of French from the University of Lagos and a fellow of prestigious arts programs, Austen-Peters has become one of the premier female filmmakers in Nigeria.
Her movie, based on the life of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is known as the “All time highest grossing biopic in West Africa”. Her movie, House of GA’A, in the first week of its release made it to top 10 Global Chart for Non-English Films. Her movie also ranked among the top 10 indigenous films on Netflix, reaching No. 7 globally. She hosted the largest theatre festival in West Africa, the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF). The festival attracted over 25,000 attendees and featured 25 production houses, including the participation of foreign production houses.
9. Mary Remmy Njoku
Mary Remmy Njoku is a former actress-turned-media executive and producer. In 2013 she founded ROK Studios and ROK TV, which specialized in producing and distributing Nollywood content. Under her leadership, ROK released hundreds of affordable films and series for African audiences. By 2019, ROK had produced over 540 films and 25 TV series. That year Canal+ acquired ROK Studios (keeping Mary as MD) in what was then Africa’s largest media acquisition.
While Mary is more producer/executive than director, her creative oversight makes her a key filmmaker figure. Her recent focus is on higher-end projects. ROK’s modern drama White Lies (2022) on Showmax and various Afrika Magic titles were well-received. She continues to develop Nollywood content with global partners. Mary’s Instagram (1.4M followers) and involvement in industry awards highlight her status. Many respect her as one of the pioneering female storytellers in Nigeria’s film industry.
0. Omoni Oboli
Omoni Oboli (born 1978) is a veteran actress who expanded into writing, producing and directing. Educated in Nigeria and trained in film editing, she has worn many hats in Nollywood. Her directorial credits include popular titles like Okafor’s Law (2017), Wives on Strike (2016) and The First Lady (2015). These films, often comedies or social dramas, were box-office hits. Omoni’s films are known for their heart and social commentary, earning her a reputation as a standout filmmaker among actress-directors.
In 2023 and 2024, Oboli has been active behind the scenes. She has an active Youtube channel where she showcases some of her produced movies like Love in every word which hit over 2 million views within a week. Omoni’s bold female roles and her promotion of female directors have made her a mentor figure. She interacts with millions of followers on Instagram, where she discusses weight loss and wellness alongside film. Her presence reminds us that the most leading women of Nollywood can both act and direct great stories.
These ten women exemplify how Nollywood is being reshaped by female voices. Their rising success shows that filmmakers in Nigeria are not just men — women are equally at the forefront. Across comedy, thriller, and family drama, these directors have produced some of the finest recent Nigerian films. By combining social media clout with cinematic talent, they have built huge fanbases. Viewers often ask “How are women directors influencing Nollywood’s growth?” The answer is clear: these trailblazers have crafted blockbuster hits, won major awards, and expanded Nollywood’s audience worldwide. They are proof that Nigerian cinema’s future is being shaped by both genders equally. In summary, Nollywood’s landscape in 2025 is richer and more diverse thanks to the rise of these remarkable female filmmakers in Nigeria.
