About Okechukwu “Okey” Ogunjiofor
Okey Ogunjiofor, popularly known as “The Father of Nollywood,” is a multiple award-winning filmmaker, actor, writer, publisher, and one of the pioneering figures of the Nigerian film industry. He is widely recognized as the producer of Living in Bondage (1992), the groundbreaking film that marked the birth of modern Nollywood.
A National Peace and Unity Ambassador, Okey is deeply passionate about youth empowerment and has authored numerous books spanning storytelling, leadership, culture, governance, and human development.
Education and Professional Training
Okey Ogunjiofor is a graduate of the Citadel School of Government (CSG) in association with the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS), where he earned an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Statecraft.
He is also an alumnus of the School of Theater, Film and Television Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Public Administration from Imo State University and obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Film and Television Production from the prestigious Television College, Jos.
His early career included active participation in the production of notable international projects such as:
- Soweto – the BBC/NTA 35mm film on apartheid South Africa (1986)
- Mr. Johnson – the adaptation of the James Joyce classic (1987)
Career and Leadership
Okey Ogunjiofor is the Managing Director of Videosonic Studios Ltd, a film production and equipment leasing company.
Over the years, he has received numerous local and international honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lagos International Film Festival. His remarkable contributions to the creative industry earned him a place among the Achievers Who’s Who in Nigeria (2010 Edition, Page 642).
He has also served as:
- Former Board Member, Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS)
- Former Two-Term Treasurer, Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN)
National and International Engagements
Okey has consulted for The Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., USA, on gender-based research and programs focused on the empowerment of women and the girl child.
In recognition of his contributions to Nollywood and youth development, he was invited as one of the resource persons for “Go Africa Go German,” a German-African scholarship exchange program jointly initiated by the Federal President of Germany and the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
He was also an official speaker at the 2022 +234Connect Festival hosted by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, USA.
Notable Productions
His extensive body of work includes television series, feature films, sitcoms, and documentaries, including:
- Living in Bondage
- Circle of Doom
- Nneka the Pretty Serpent
- Brotherhood of Darkness
- When Flowers Turn Black
- Rough Edges
- Cyberia – Land of Illusion
- Hope Avenue (Sitcom)
Founder and Industry Builder
Okey Ogunjiofor is the Founder and President of The African Audio-Visual Awards (TAVA), an annual platform established to recognize and reward outstanding African talents in film, television, music videos, and advertising while promoting excellence across the continent.
He is also the Co-Founder of the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA).
Major Productions and Achievements
Among his landmark productions are:
- Producer and Director of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) 50th Anniversary Documentary (2013)
- Director, Global Live Broadcast of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, Abuja (2014)
He also served as Producer and Executive Producer of the historical epic Amina, a project that required over 25 years of research and development before completion.
Amina became:
- The first Nigerian film to reach the Global Top 10 on Netflix across 190 countries.
- Nominated 13 times at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2022, winning four awards, including the prestigious Best Overall Film in Africa.
- Nominated 11 times at the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards 2022, where it won three awards.
Professional Memberships
Okey Ogunjiofor is an active member of several professional organizations, including:
- Association of Movie Producers (AMP)
- Film Educators Guild of Nigeria (FEGON)
- Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN)
- FILM4LIFE
- Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS)
- Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN)
Author and Thought Leader
Beyond filmmaking, Okey Ogunjiofor is a prolific author whose publications explore storytelling, leadership, governance, culture, and human development. His writings demonstrate a unique ability to bridge creative practice with structured intellectual thought, establishing him as a multidisciplinary thinker and respected voice in both the creative and leadership spaces.
Personal Life
Widely respected for his integrity, professionalism, and enduring contributions to the entertainment industry, Okey Ogunjiofor continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and creative professionals across Africa.
He is happily married to Gloria, and together they are blessed with four children, whom he fondly refers to as his “four Generals.”