Ope Ajayi
Ope Ajayi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Alma mater | University of Lagos, Lagos Business School |
| Occupation | Film producer |
Ope Ajayi is a Nigerian film producer and promoter. He is the founder and CEO of Cinemax Distribution Limited and COTS Productions.[1][2] He is also the convener of the Lagos Business Of Film Summit. He is best known as the executive producer of the Nigerian murder mystery series, The Party which was released on Netflix in May 2025. He is also an executive producer of the film Queen Lateefah,[3][4] produced in partnership with Wumi Toriola and the co-executive producer of the films Brotherhood, Ada Omo Daddy[5] and Thinline, in partnership with actress and producer Mercy Aigbe. He has licensed many films to multiple platforms, including Sista by Biodun Stephen,[6] and Silence by Yemi "Filmboy" Morafa.
Early life and education
[edit]Ajayi was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He completed his secondary education at the International School, University of Lagos, and earned a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business school.[7]
Career
[edit]Ajayi spent his early career working in the financial services sector before moving to Genesis Cinemas.[8]
Ajayi was appointed executive director at Genesis Group. In July 2022, he was elected as the National Chairman of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.[9]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Major cast | Role | Reference |
| 2022 | Brotherhood | Tobi Bakre, Folarin Falana, Toni Tones, Ronke Oshodi Oke | Co-executive producer | |
| 2023 | Ada Omo Daddy | Mercy Aigbe, Omowunmi Dada, Nkechi Blessing, Sola Sobowale | Co-executive producer / producer | [10] |
| 2024 | Queen Lateefah | Wumi Toriola, Kunle Remi, Fathia Williams, Femi Adebayo | Co-executive producer / producer | [11] |
| Thin Line | Mercy Aigbe, Uche Montana, Nkechi Blessing, Uzor Arukwe | Co-executive producer / producer | ||
| 2025 | The Party | Kehinde Bankole, Shaffy Bello, Uzor Arukwe, Mide Martins | Executive producer and producer | [12] |
| 2025 | Gingerrr | Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori (popularly known as KieKie), Bisola Aiyeola, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola | Co-executive producer / producer |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Reference |
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Movie West Africa | Brotherhood | Won | |
| Best Overall Movie | Nominated | ||||
| 2026 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award | Best Movie | Gingerrr | Nominated | [13] |
| Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Director | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Cinematography | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Score Music | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Sound Design | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Writing Movie | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Makeup | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Score Music | The Party | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Best Writing (TV Series) | Nominated | [13] | |||
| Best Sound Design | Nominated | [13] |
References
[edit]- ↑ Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (2024-10-05). "How Ope Ajayi is transforming film distribution in Nigeria through Cinemax". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ ShockNG (2023-01-29). "Ope Ajayi Exits Genesis, Launches New Distribution Start up "Cinemax" (Exclusive)". ShockNG. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ "Wumi Toriola Set to Release First Cinema Film Queen Lateefah". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-11-12). "Queen Lateefah grosses N333.7 Million, Enters Nollywood's top box office rankings". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ↑ Oloruntoyin, Faith (2023-11-27). "Love becomes chaotic in Mercy Aigbe's star-packed 'Ada Omo Daddy' trailer". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ Udodiong, Inemesit (2023-05-20). "Biodun Stephen's 'Sista' lands official release date on Prime Video". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ Ogwo, Charles (2024-09-09). "LBS targets entry-level managers with 18-month M.Sc in mgt". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ ShockNG (2023-01-29). "Ope Ajayi Exits Genesis, Launches New Distribution Start up "Cinemax" (Exclusive)". ShockNG. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ↑ "Nigeria's Cinema Records N441m Revenue In March 2023". News Agency of Nigeria. 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ↑ Oloruntoyin, Faith (2023-11-27). "Love becomes chaotic in Mercy Aigbe's star-packed 'Ada Omo Daddy' trailer". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-10-09). "Wunmi Toriola's "Queen Lateefah" hits N150 Million at Nigerian box office". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ↑ Mix, Pulse (2023-09-05). "Cinemax announces long awaited cinematic, eyegasmic murder mystery 'The Party'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Precious, Ozaveshe (2026-03-30). "AMVCA 2026: 'Gingerrr,' 'The Herd, ' 'To Kill A Monkey,' others dominate nominee list [FULL LIST]". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 2026-03-30.