Aside from the ‘dancing to promote cinema movies saga’, a lot happened at the 2026 Lagos Business of Film Summit and here’s how it unfolded.
On the 30th of January 2026, CEO Ope Ajayi of Cinemax Distribution Limited hosted the Lagos Business of Film Summit with the theme “Unlocking the potential of Nollywood, The Next Decade.” This summit featured a roster of speakers, including filmmakers, distributors, actors, policymakers, and investors, who brought unique expertise and perspectives to the table.
Present at this summit was Ope Ajayi, the Host and a seasoned business manager and entertainment executive with over 21 years of experience spanning financial services and film distribution. As CEO of Cinemax, he has overseen the distribution of blockbuster titles and played a very important role in expanding cinema infrastructure across Nigeria and Cameroon.
Mo Abudu, CEO of Ebonylife Media, and Bolaji Balogun, CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, who were keynote speakers at the summit, delivered powerful addresses on Nollywood’s future, focusing on investment, infrastructure, global partnerships, and positioning Nigerian cinema as one of the major economic drivers. Also, Kunle Afolayan, multi-award-winning filmmaker celebrated for his research-driven approach to storytelling, was also present at the summit alongside Dr. Shaibu Husseini, leader of Nigeria’s primary film regulatory body (NFVCB).
Central to the discussion was the question of how Nollywood can secure sustainable financing for decades, providing Nigerian filmmakers who have relied heavily on private investors and personal funds with adequate resources to expand their horizons and achieve even greater heights than they have already reached. The speakers highlighted the urgent need for structured talent development. Most industry professionals are self-taught, and the absence of large-scale training institutions threatens to constrain future growth.
Distribution was another focal point. While Lagos has a growing number of cinemas, the demand far outpaces the supply. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of expanding cinema infrastructure across Nigeria and leveraging digital movie platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax to reach global audiences. Ensuring the promotion of movies not just within Nigeria but also to African and international countries.
Cinemax CEO Ope Ajayi underscored the importance of policy reforms and reliable industry data. He also called for government agencies and private firms to collaborate on building transparent data systems that can guide decision-making and attract international partnerships.
The major announcement made includes the Chapel Hill opening of the application for Creatives Catalyst 2, a funding and business development initiative targeting entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s creative economy. The funds aim to provide both capital and structured business support followed by Dr. Shaibu Husseini’s unveiling of the new NFVCB’s framework for community cinemas and regulated mobile exhibition platforms. This is designed to expand audience reach, create new revenue streams, and formalize alternative exhibition channels, particularly in underserved areas.
Mo Abudu announced plans to open a replica of Ebonylife Studio in London by July 2026, signaling a strategic push into the global market and the growing importance of international partnerships for Nigerian producers.
The Lagos Business of Film Summit concluded on an optimistic note. With streaming platforms opening new markets, international co-productions gaining traction, and Nigerian stories resonating globally, Nollywood stands at the threshold of unprecedented growth.
The next decade, as envisioned as the theme and central discussion of the Lagos Business of Film Summit, could see Nigerian cinema not only to entertain but also to redefine African storytelling on the world stage.
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