When Love in Every Word began gaining traction on YouTube in 2025, screenwriter Mfon-Abasi Inyang was still largely unknown outside industry circles. The film’s viewership and online conversation would change that, bringing his work to a wider audience and placing him among the writers shaping Nollywood’s fast-growing digital film ecosystem.
In this interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Inyang reflects on the film’s reception, his transition from ghostwriting to credited projects, and the demands of writing for YouTube audiences.
“My experience so far has just solidified my position that writing was meant for me,” he says.
Early love for storytelling
Inyang traces his interest in film to childhood.
“I owe my love for films to my parents, especially my mother. We watched a lot of films growing up,” he says, recalling visits to video rental stores during school holidays before streaming became common.
He began writing stories to entertain classmates in secondary school and later wrote stage plays at university. After completing NYSC, he moved to Lagos and began pursuing screenwriting more seriously. His early work included ghostwriting, which provided experience but little stability.
“My first gig was through ghostwriting and I felt encouraged, but it was unstable, so I knew I couldn’t rely on it long term,” he says. “I kept trying to get my stories to filmmakers until I met a production manager who took an interest in my work.”
Training at EbonyLife Creative Academy further strengthened his skills across writing, production and directing. His short film Missing Link, produced during the programme, later earned festival recognition.
Entering the YouTube film space
Inyang’s entry into YouTube filmmaking came through producer Emem King, who connected him with Omoni Oboli’s production team. Initially unaware he was writing for Oboli’s channel, he realised the connection after seeing one of his scripts produced.
“At the beginning, I didn’t know it was her channel I was writing for,” he says. “When I eventually realised, I started studying the platform more closely — the audience reactions, the comments, what people were responding to.”
He began submitting multiple scripts monthly and gradually became more involved with the team.
The impact of Love in Every Word
Love in Every Word drew millions of views on release and sparked widespread conversation online, significantly increasing Inyang’s visibility as a writer.
“I didn’t think it would trend the way it did,” he says. “Before this, I wasn’t on social media. I had to open an account after the film came out because people wanted to know who wrote it.”
He says the recognition was unusual for a screenwriter in an industry where writers often remain behind the scenes.
“Writers of films that do well in cinemas don’t always get this kind of attention,” he notes. “So it was surprising and encouraging.”
The project also led to increased demand for his scripts within the YouTube filmmaking community.
Writing from observation
The film’s story drew partly from Inyang’s time living in Anambra State and observing Igbo traders and their speech patterns.
“I wanted to present characters that felt real to me,” he says. “Sometimes I see portrayals that don’t feel accurate, so I wanted to approach it differently.”
He says the film began as an idea that stayed with him for months before being developed into a full script and eventually produced.
Despite expectations that the film might reach around 10 million views, its reception exceeded projections.
“What happened with that film changed a lot for me,” he says.
On credit and collaboration
Inyang emphasises the importance of proper credit for writers, noting that visible acknowledgment can shape career opportunities. He points to the collaborative environment on Oboli’s productions as a factor in his growth.
“It seems small, but credit matters,” he says. “The visibility helps people know who is behind the work.”
Character over plot
For Inyang, character development remains central to his writing process.
“I always say people remember characters more than plots,” he explains. “Most plots have been done before, but what makes a story feel new is the characters and how they behave.”
He cites films and series across genres as reference points for strong character work and says he spends significant time shaping personalities before writing scenes.
Workload and sustainability
The past year has also brought challenges. Writing multiple scripts within a short period led to burnout, prompting him to adopt a more structured routine.
“I wrote over 20 scripts last year and had to slow down,” he says. “Now I plan my time better and try to balance work with rest.”
He credits exercise, faith and support from friends with helping him manage the pace of the industry.
Looking ahead
Inyang has written dozens of YouTube films and is currently developing new projects, including a series for a Nigerian production company. He is also considering launching his own channel and creating original films.
“I’m leaning toward becoming more of a creator than just a writer for hire,” he says. “I want to build projects from the ground up.”
He recently relocated to the UK and hopes to continue writing across Nigerian and international productions. For now, he sees the past year as a period of transition.
“What happened with Love in Every Word gave me clarity,” he says. “I’m building on that and figuring out what comes next.”