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Toluwani Obayan Osibe (born 13 August 1990) is a Nigerian screenwriter, director, and author active in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood.[1][2]She gained recognition for her work on Ponzi (2021),[3] a satirical film exploring Nigeria’s economic challenges, This Lady Called Life (2020), and Something Like Gold (2023). Osibe has also directed the short film Heart & Might and is the author of the book Becoming A Spectacular Woman (2018).[4]
Toluwani Obayan | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Toluwani Obayan Osibe 13 August 1990 |
| Occupation |
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| Language | English |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater |
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| Notable works | |
| Spouse | |
Early Life and Education
editToluwani Obayan Osibe was born in Ilorin, Nigeria, to Adetokunbo and Aize Obayan, both of whom are deceased.[5] She has a younger brother, Joshua Obayan, and her heritage includes a mix of Nigerian cultures, with her father from Kogi State, her mother from Edo State, and her paternal grandmother from Abia State. From 1996 to 1999, her family lived in England.[6]
Toluwani completed a degree in Mass Communication at Covenant University in 2012, followed by a master’s degree in Film and Television Studies from the University of Portsmouth, England, in 2014.[7][unreliable source?][failed verification]
Career
editToluwani's career in Nollywood began as a video editor with the production company Wale Adenuga Productions, where she worked on a range of the company's well-known shows.[8]
Her directorial debut came with Heart & Might (2017), a short film that honors the unsung heroes in the fight against Boko Haram, highlighting the resilience and sacrifices of those affected by the insurgency. Later in 2017, she joined The Other News, Nigeria's premier political satire show, as a staff writer and became the Head Writer in 2019 [9]. Her breakthrough as a screenwriter came with This Lady Called Life (2020), the story of a single mother balancing personal dreams and societal expectations. The story earned her both a Best of Nollywood (BON) Award for Best Screenplay and an Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award (AMVCA) nomination for Best Writer.[10][11][12]
In 2021, she wrote Ponzi, a satirical comedy that explores the impact of financial schemes on everyday Nigerians, showcasing her range in blending humor with social commentary. Her recent work, Something Like Gold (2023), continues her exploration of diverse themes within Nollywood. Currently, she is in the process of directing her debut feature film under the First Features initiative by Native Filmworks.[13]
Recognition and Influence
editToluwani Obayan Osibe has been featured in various articles in Nigeria and internationally, where her work and contributions are recognized.[14][15]She also supports the development of future voices in Nigerian cinema, participating in initiatives aimed at empowering emerging filmmakers and writers.[16]
Personal Life
editToluwani is married to Jeremiah Osibe, an actuarial analyst and author of Village Man and City Man. His books explore Nigerian life, offering nuanced perspectives on daily experiences in Nigeria. Together, they focus on living in alignment with their Christian faith and openly express their dedication to their beliefs. They are involved in creative and community-based initiatives within Nigeria, supporting African storytelling and advocating for emerging talent across the continent.[17][18]
Filmography
edit- Heart & Might (2017)
- The Other News (2017-2019)
- This Lady Called Life (2020)[19]
- Ponzi (2021)
- Something Like Gold (2023)
Awards and recognitions
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | AMVCA | Best Writer (Movie/TV Series) | This Lady Called Life | Nominated | [20][21] |
| 2020 | 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Screenplay | This Lady Called Life | Won | |
| 2019 | International Tourism Film Festival | Best African Film | Explore The World With Tindel | Won |
References
edit- ^ Memeh, Kikachi (2022-01-15). "7 Nollywood Screenwriters We Want More of in 2022". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ "SheWrites 30: A Celebration of 30 Outstanding Female Screenwriters in Nollywood". What Kept Me Up. 9 March 2024.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ Lawal, Khadijat (2021-02-23). "Ponzi, 'La femme Anjola... Nigerian movies that will hit the screens in March". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ Obayan, Toluwani (2018-02-02). Becoming A Spectacular Woman. ISBN 978-978-963-902-1.
- ^ "Aize Olohigbe Obayan 1960 - 2019". The Nation.
- ^ "The Nation (Roehampton Institute)".
- ^ "Toluwani Obayan". The Inclusion project. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "Wale Adenuga Show". IMDb.
- ^ "The Other News". IMDb.
- ^ Oyero, Ezekiel (2022-03-20). "AMVCA 8: Organisers announce nominees in 33 categories". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ "AMVCA 2022 Nominees".
- ^ "BON Awards: 'Living in Bondage', 'This Lady Called Life' win big". vanguardngr. December 6, 2020.
- ^ "The Guardian". 19 February 2022.
- ^ Chen, Adrian (15 January 2018). "Using Comedy to Strengthen Nigeria's Democracy". The Newyorker.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Olanrewaju, Oluwadamilola (2024-07-19). "7 Nollywood Screenwriters You Should Know". Zikoko. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "#AFRICANXT 2023 Schedule". africanxt.sched.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "Toluwani Obayan and Jeremiah Osibe's Wedding Website". www.zola.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "Storystory Village Community". Twitter.
- ^ Udugba, Anthony (2022-02-14). "Top Nollywood Valentine movies on Netflix". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ "AMVCA: 2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list - BBC News Pidgin". BBC News Pidgin. March 21, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Oyero, Ezekiel (March 20, 2022). "AMVCA 8: Organisers announce nominees in 33 categories". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved November 17, 2022.