Moses Babatope Reveals Vision to Revolutionize Nollywood with Nile Media

Moses Babatope, a prominent figure in Nollywood and co-founder of FilmOne Entertainment, is embarking on a new venture with the launch of Nile Media Entertainment Group.

In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Babatope shares his ambitious vision to transform Nollywood by creating sustainable avenues for content distribution and establishing global collaborations.

Discussing the inspiration behind Nile Media, Babatope highlighted the industry’s need for self-sustainability. “There was a gap in the market in terms of self-sustainability for the industry. By that, I mean we didn’t have enough outlets to monetize our content. Our goal was to take on the challenge of finding ways to control our destiny by creating more channels and platforms for Nollywood films to be consumed locally,” he said. This approach marks a significant departure from Babatope’s previous roles, with a focus on empowering the Nigerian film industry through sustainable content distribution.

To achieve global distribution of Nollywood and other African content, Nile Media plans to address the underserved theatrical space by investing in innovative marketing strategies and forming strategic partnerships. Babatope explained, “We think the theatrical space is underserved, and we want to work on a community cinema network. We are also looking at international theatrical releases on a more consistent basis.”

In terms of partnerships, Nile Media is actively pursuing collaborations with international distributors, sales agents, and cinema chains worldwide. Babatope mentioned, “We are having strong and progressive discussions on how to showcase the best of Nigerian content on global platforms.”

While Babatope acknowledges challenges posed by the current economic climate, he remains optimistic. “We’re launching at a time when the economy isn’t in its best shape. Our strategy involves looking internationally, which offsets some local risks. Funding and the economic climate are challenges, but our approach is solid,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Babatope envisions Nile Media as a transformative force for Nollywood and African storytelling. “Our core mission is to be transformative agents for the industry, multiplying the revenue potential of Nollywood films, replicating it across Africa, and exporting it globally. We believe our efforts will inspire greater confidence in the sector,” Babatope added.

Over the years, the entertainment industry has grown tremendously, contributing around five percent of Nigeria’s GDP. Within this rapidly changing environment, Nile Media has identified opportunities for further growth in untapped markets within the West African and sub-Saharan African regions. The Nile Group operates through five entities: Nile Entertainment, Nile Cinemas, Nile Motion Pictures, Nile Studio Lab, and the Nile Foundation.

The company will manage distribution across Africa, the US, the UK, Canada, and other key international markets, including South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Nile Entertainment has secured local and international distribution rights for over 31 titles. Starting strongly, Nile Entertainment is set to release the highly anticipated third installment of Omoni Oboli’s “Wives on Strike 3” and has acquired global rights for a slate of productions, including Linda Ikeji’s latest true crime film “The Night of June 7” and “The Artefact,” a Gen-Z-themed adventure film.

Other titles from Nile Entertainment include “Is It Your Money,” “Afrobeats Backstory Season 2,” and “The Wives.” Complementing its distribution capabilities, Nile Cinemas will oversee operations for THC Cinemas Ifako-Ijaiye and Royal Roots Cinemas Ikota in Lagos, offering luxury viewing experiences.

Nile Motion Pictures is set to bring captivating stories to the screen, while Nile Studio Lab and the Nile Foundation focus on community development and innovative film production. Babatope’s venture is built on a foundation of excellence, aiming to leverage untapped opportunities and making African stories accessible to a worldwide audience.

Named after the River Nile, the company aims to be a beacon for cultural representation, industry excellence, and sustainable practices.