Expectedly, a quality crowd converged on the main auditorium of the Mike Adenuga Centre/Alliance Francaise in Ikoyi, Lagos for the formal launch ceremony of Nile Media Entertainment Group. Those who could not attend the launch event, which held on Thursday, sent in goodwill messages. From the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Husseini Shaibu, to veteran filmmaker and current Chairman of the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, iconic filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, celebrity blogger and film producer Linda Ikeji, Debbie Odutayo and the communication consultant, Debo Williams, the turnout at the launch was impressive. It was also applause all the way for the Group CEO Moses Babatope, as he presented the team at Nile Media Entertainment Group, an expansive media and entertainment company dedicated to providing services in film production, distribution, cinema experiences and talent building across Africa, to the public.
The Nile Group is the brain child of Babatope, with over 20 years of experience in film exhibition, production, distribution, marketing and sales. Babatope has been credited with many firsts in the Nigerian film industry, and according to him, the Nile Group aims to redefine the landscape of African media, leveraging a substantial multi-million-dollar investment/funding to drive growth and development across the industry. Babatope told the audience at the launch that the company will focus on creating, showcasing, and distributing content globally with its multifaceted approach, encompassing film production, distribution, cinema experiences, and talent development.
He said, “we are taking a grand approach to transform the industry. Seeing how much we have grown over the years; our vision is not only to celebrate and amplify African stories globally but also to create more revenue streams and deliver exceptional returns for our investors. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and tapping into the vast pool of African talent, we are aiming to set new industry standards and drive significant economic growth.”
Babatope also hinted that the Nile Group would operate through five entities: Nile Entertainment, Nile Cinemas, Nile Motion Pictures, Nile Studio Lab, and the Nile Foundation. Nile Entertainment will manage distribution across Africa, the US, the UK, Canada, and other key international markets including South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
According to Babatope, Nile Entertainment has secured both local and international distribution rights for over 31 titles. He said: “Nile Entertainment is opening on a strong note with the highly anticipated third instalment of Omoni Oboli’s Wives on Strike 3. In addition, Nile Entertainment has acquired Global rights for an impressive slate of productions, including Linda Ikeji’s latest true crime film offering The Night of June 7 directed by Toka McBaror, The Artefact, a GenZ themed multi-million naira Action/Adventure written, directed and produced by Tolu Awobiyi a long term collaborator with Moses, Banke an intense drama starring Daniel Etim Effiong and Bolaji Ogunmola produced by respected Nollywood veteran filmmaker Emma Isikaku, ‘Is It Your Money’ a one of its kind highly sought after documentary series created and produced by the award-winning media personality Chude Jideonwo, ‘Afrobeats Backstory Season 2’ the follow-up to the widely acclaimed Afrobeats origins docu-series by the enigmatic Ayo Shonnaiya and The Wives, a faith-based documentary series directed by young fast-rising sensational filmmaker Orire Nwani, who rose to the fore with his Amazon Prime licensed series, Grind. Complementing its distribution capabilities, Nile Cinemas will be at the forefront of cinema management, overseeing operations for THC Cinemas Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos and Royal Roots Cinemas Ikota, Lagos and more coming up. Through Nile Screens, the company will also provide cinema operations services for a new screening initiative called Filmhub.”
Also, with the high demand for premium, personalised cinema experiences on the rise, Babatope hints that Nile X in collaboration with one of the leading Cinema chains in Nigeria is set to introduce private luxury pods, offering an exclusive and immersive viewing experience. The Podcaster to a discerning audience that seeks more than just a film screening. This venture taps into a niche market, blending the allure of cinema with the sophistication of gourmet dining, luxurious seating, and advanced audio-visual technology. Babatope added that the production arm of the group will develop and produce a wide range of original content. Notable projects include an untitled romantic drama with Kayode Kasum’s Film,Trybe, an action-thriller, The Porters, produced in collaboration with Wingonia Ikpi’s Boxonia Blueprint Productions, and the faith-based drama, Oluwaloni, in partnership with Biodun Stephen’s Shutterspeed Projects, among others.
Credited with many firsts in the Nigerian film industry, Babatope has championed the global distribution of Nigerian blockbuster films, including the highest-grossing film of all time in West Africa, A Tribe Called Judah, as well as Battle on Buka Street, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Wedding Party movies, King of Boys, The Merry Men movies, and others. He is also responsible for the first set of direct major theatrical distribution deals with leading studios in Hollywood including Walt Disney Company, resulting in the highest-grossing Hollywood film in West Africa, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Additionally, he collaborated with Warner Brothers and Sony Pictures distributing in West Africa hits like Barbie, Aquaman 1 and 2, Black Adam, Spiderman: No way home, Venom 2 and The Woman King. As a pioneer in the global digital distribution of Nigerian and African content, Moses has secured multi-picture, multi-year licensing deals with worldwide streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon.