Toluwani Obayan

Toluwani Obayan
BornToluwani Obayan Osibe
(1990-08-13) 13 August 1990 (age 34)
Occupation
  • Author
  • screenwriter
  • director
LanguageEnglish
NationalityNigerian
Alma mater
Notable works
Spouse
Jeremiah Osibe
​
(m. 2023)​

Toluwani Obayan Osibe (born 13 August 1990) is a Nigerian screenwriter, director, and author active in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood.[1][2]

Osibe was recognised 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 directed the short film Heart & Might and is the author of the book Becoming A Spectacular Woman (2018).[4]

Early Life and Education

Toluwani Obayan Osibe was born in Ilorin, Nigeria, to Adetokunbo and Aize Obayan.[5] She has a younger brother, Joshua Obayan. 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

Toluwani's career in Nollywood began as a video editor with the production company Wale Adenuga Productions.[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, as a staff writer and became the Head Writer in 2019.[9] She made a notable contribution as a screenwriter with This Lady Called Life (2020), a story of a single mother balancing personal dreams and societal expectations. She was awarded the Best of Nollywood (BON) Award (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

Toluwani 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

Toluwani 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

Awards and recognitions

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

  1. ^ Memeh, Kikachi (2022-01-15). "7 Nollywood Screenwriters We Want More of in 2022". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  2. ^ "SheWrites 30: A Celebration of 30 Outstanding Female Screenwriters in Nollywood". What Kept Me Up.com. 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ Lawal, Khadijat (2021-02-23). "Ponzi, 'La femme Anjola... Nigerian movies that will hit the screens in March". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  4. ^ Obayan, Toluwani (2018-02-02). Becoming A Spectacular Woman. Whole Healthy Group LLC. ISBN 978-978-963-902-1.
  5. ^ "Aize Olohigbe Obayan 1960 - 2019". The Nation.
  6. ^ "The Nation (Roehampton Institute)".
  7. ^ "Toluwani Obayan". The Inclusion project. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  8. ^ "Wale Adenuga Show". IMDb.
  9. ^ "The Other News". IMDb.
  10. ^ Oyero, Ezekiel (2022-03-20). "AMVCA 8: Organisers announce nominees in 33 categories". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  11. ^ "AMVCA 2022 Nominees".
  12. ^ "BON Awards: 'Living in Bondage', 'This Lady Called Life' win big". vanguardngr. December 6, 2020.
  13. ^ "The Guardian". 19 February 2022.
  14. ^ Chen, Adrian (15 January 2018). "Using Comedy to Strengthen Nigeria's Democracy". The New Yorker.
  15. ^ Olanrewaju, Oluwadamilola (2024-07-19). "7 Nollywood Screenwriters You Should Know". Zikoko. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  16. ^ "#AFRICANXT 2023 Schedule". africanxt.sched.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  17. ^ "Toluwani Obayan and Jeremiah Osibe's Wedding Website". www.zola.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  18. ^ "Storystory Village Community". Twitter.
  19. ^ Udugba, Anthony (2022-02-14). "Top Nollywood Valentine movies on Netflix". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ Oyero, Ezekiel (March 20, 2022). "AMVCA 8: Organisers announce nominees in 33 categories". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved November 17, 2022.