Nile Cinemas has secured a historic partnership with His Imperial Majesty the Ooni of Ife to manage Ojaja Cinemas in a project aimed at transforming Nigeria’s film entertainment landscape.
The alliance plans to open 1,000 cinemas across Nigeria over the next five years, starting with Ile-Ife, Akure and Lagos regions.
The management handover took place on October 29, 2024, through a signing ceremony attended by the Ooni of Ife and his wife, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi.
At the event, the Ooni highlighted the potential impact the project would have on youth employment in Nigeria through the 1,000-acre Ojaja Film and Talent City.
“I am no expert, but I am using my platform as a monarch to create jobs for Nigeria’s young and growing population. “We cannot rely solely on the government, so we decided to establish the Ojaja Film Talent City,” he said.
Inaugurated on October 17, 2024 by former Minister of Works and former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, together with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, this expansive creative hub in Ile-Ife is a major destination for large-scale film production and talent development. The goal is to foster .
The Ooni commended Moses Babatope, CEO of Nile, for his pioneering contributions to the Nigerian film industry. Babatope, who had previously revolutionized the film industry through FilmOne, shared Nile’s vision for an improved entertainment ecosystem.
“We are building an entertainment ecosystem that will redefine the way Nigerians experience movies,” Babatope emphasized.
“Our vision extends beyond traditional theater management to creating diverse revenue streams through strategic partnerships, premium experiences and innovative content distribution.
“This is the paradigm shift our industry has been waiting for, and Nile is ready to lead through major investments in technology, talent and infrastructure.”
Biola Sokenu, COO; Nile X Luxury Cinema Vice President, Dr. Bukky George Taylor; Olalekan Oginni, Group Director of Real Estate and Business Development.
what we know
- The partnership includes immediate management of Ojaja Cinemas’ Ile-Ife and Akure locations, introducing enhanced viewing experiences and advanced content distribution technologies.
- Additionally, Nile Cinemas plans to unite THC Cinemax Ogba and Royal Roots Ikota, making it the fifth largest cinema chain in West Africa by the end of 2024.
- Former Director of Arts and Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, expressed support for the integration of THC Cinemax into the Nile Cinema Chain, calling it “a strategic alignment of our vision to transform entertainment in Nigeria.” Likewise, Mr. Greg Odutayo of Royal Roots Cinema endorsed Nile’s capabilities, asserting, “We believe Nile will deliver a world-class entertainment experience to Nigerians.”
- This ambitious partnership between Nile Group and Ojaja Cinemas marks a bold new path for Nigerian cinema, with far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry and youth employment across the country.
