Nollywood creatives are making a strong impact, and it’s not just because of the actors. A big part of the success comes from skilled people working behind the scenes. These professionals help shape how films look, sound, and feel. Their work is now getting more attention, and people are beginning to see how important they are in making movies successful in cinemas and on streaming platforms. Many of them are also being nominated and recognized for their contributions.
Some of the key people leading this change include Tolu Obanro, Yolanda Okereke, Hakeem Onilogbo, Bunmi Ajamolaya, and Emmanuel Igbekele. Together, they are helping shape the new Nollywood and making it better than ever.
Tolu Obanro- Sound Design
Tolu Obanro, popularly known as Tyanx, is one of Nigeria’s leading film composers and sound designers. Often described as a “sound storyteller,” he has played a major role in shaping how modern Nollywood films sound. He began his career in gospel music before transitioning into film, and has since become one of the most sought-after post-production experts in the industry, known for creating audio experiences that make scenes more emotional and immersive.
As a sound designer, Obanro is responsible for everything the audience hears in a film. He creates background atmospheres like wind, crowd noise, and natural sounds to make scenes feel realistic, while also handling Foley work such as footsteps and everyday sound effects. In addition, he cleans and balances dialogue, blends music with sound effects to guide emotions, and ensures all audio elements work together seamlessly. Since his debut in 2019, he has worked on major Nollywood hits including A Tribe Called Judah (2023), Jagun Jagun (2023), Gangs of Lagos (2023), King of Thieves (2022), and Battle on Buka Street (2022), as well as high-profile projects like Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) and Seven Doors (2024).
His work has earned him widespread recognition and multiple awards. He won Best Music/Score at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Seven Doors, where he also received a nomination for Best Sound/Sound Design. He also won Soundtrack of the Year at the 17th Headies Awards for A Tribe Called Judah. In the 2026 AMVCA, he continued his strong run with Gingerrr and The Party, earning multiple AMVCA nominations in both Best Score/Music and Best Sound Design.
Yolanda Okereke – Costume Designer
Yolanda Okereke-Fubara is a well-known Nigerian costume designer and fashion entrepreneur who has spent over 15 years shaping how Nollywood films look. She is often called a “fashion engineer” because of how carefully she uses clothes, colors, and styles to tell stories. She has worked on more than 50 films, including The Meeting, The Wedding Party, King of Boys, and Everybody Loves Jenifa, making her one of the top costume designers in the industry.
Her job as a costume designer is not just about picking clothes. She studies scripts to understand each character and then creates outfits that match their personality and journey. This includes designing costumes, researching fashion styles for different time periods, and working with a team to make sure everything looks right in every scene. In 2024, she worked on big projects like House of Ga’a, Seven Doors, and Everybody Loves Jenifa, and also served as the Fashion Principal on the Showmax show Style Magnate. She works closely with directors and other creatives to make sure the costumes fit the overall story.
Her work has earned her several recognitions, including nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). In 2022, she became the first African costume designer to host a masterclass at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. She also runs her own businesses, The Rani Company and The Wardrobe Shack, which support film productions.
Hakeem Onilogbo – Makeup
Hakeem Onilogbo, also known as Hakeem Effect, is a top Nigerian makeup and special effects artist. He is well known for turning actors into realistic characters using makeup, whether it’s making them look older, creating battle injuries, or designing cultural looks. He is also the founder of Tricks International, a company that has helped improve the quality of visual effects in Nollywood films.
His job goes beyond regular makeup. He creates special effects that make scenes look real, such as adding scars, wounds, or changing how a character looks completely. He can also design supernatural characters and handle complex looks for action scenes. Over the years, he has worked on popular films like Jagun Jagun (2023), King of Boys (2018), Anikulapo (2022), Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020), and The Milkmaid (2020), as well as newer projects like Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) and Seven Doors (2024).
His work has earned him many awards. At the 2025 AMVCA, he won Best Makeup for Lisabi: The Uprising and also got nominations for Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre and Seven Doors. In 2026, he was nominated again for Best Makeup for Warlord. He has also won several AMVCA and AMAA awards in the past. Because of his skill and creativity, he has helped improve makeup and special effects in Nollywood and made films look more realistic.
Ajamolaya Bunmi – Art Director
Olubunmi Ajamolaya, is a respected Nigerian art director and production designer who has become a strong voice in Nollywood’s technical space. She is widely known for her work with major production companies like Anthill Studios and for helping shape how films look on screen. Through her creativity and attention to detail, she has played a key role in building the visual identity of many modern Nollywood productions.
As an art director, Ajamolaya is responsible for how a film’s environment looks. She helps design and build sets, chooses props and decorations, and ensures that every scene looks realistic and matches the story. She also makes sure that colors, textures, and designs stay consistent throughout the film. Beyond creativity, she manages budgets and works with a team to make sure everything is ready before filming begins. Her work can be seen in visually rich projects like Colours of Fire and several Anthill Studios productions, where she has helped create immersive and believable worlds for both modern and historical stories.
Her work has earned her recognition in the industry, including a nomination for Best Art Direction at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Colours of Fire. She is known for moving Nollywood away from basic set designs toward more detailed, intentional world-building, where the environment helps tell the story.
Emmanuel Igbekele – Cinematography
Emmanuel Igbekele is a Nigerian cinematographer, editor, and colorist who has become one of the key people improving how Nollywood films look. He started as a camera operator and has grown into a respected Director of Photography known for using lighting, camera angles, and color to make films more visually engaging and professional.
As a cinematographer, his job is to control how each scene is filmed. He decides how scenes are lit, how the camera moves, and how shots are framed to create mood and guide the viewer’s attention. He also works on color grading to make sure the final film looks smooth and consistent. Over the years, he has worked on films like Far from Home (2022), Afamefuna (2023), and Breaded Life (2021), as well as popular titles like Adire, Ajosepo, Soole, Farmer’s Bride, Queen Lateefah, and Introducing The Kujus.
His work has earned him three AMVCA 2026 nominations for Best Cinematography for The Herd, Gingerrr, and The Serpent’s Gift. He is known for his consistent quality and ability to make Nollywood films look more cinematic and appealing.
Together, these creatives show how much Nollywood is growing and improving. The work they do behind the scenes is helping to raise the quality of Nigerian films and make them look and feel more professional. It also shows that good storytelling is not only about actors, but also about the people who handle sound, costumes, makeup, set design, and cinematography. Without their skills, films would not have the same impact, emotion, or visual quality that audiences enjoy today.
