Nigeria’s leading film industry pioneer Moses Babatope announces the launch of Nile Media Entertainment Group.
Nile Media Entertainment Group, named after the iconic River Nile, is a new film and television production and distribution studio dedicated to transforming Africa’s cinema industry. With a passion for film, inclusion and environmentalism, the Nile Group will focus on cultural representation, industry excellence, and sustainable practices as it looks to lead the future of cinema in Africa and beyond.
As the co-founder of FilmHouse Group and Managing Director of FilmOne Entertainment, Moses Babatope has played a pivotal role in transforming Nollywood and bringing African films to global audiences. Babatope has produced and executive produced more than 40 of Nollywood’s biggest titles, contributing to the industry’s growth and international recognition. He is known globally for his pioneering role in the worldwide distribution and exhibition of African films.
Babatope is also a co-founder of the UK’s Talking Drum Entertainment, specialising in the distribution of Black and African films. He also led FilmOne Entertainment to secure major international deals with industry giants like Disney, Netflix, Prime Video, and Warner Brothers.
With over 20 years of experience, Babatope is widely regarded for his industry-leading work in film distribution, exhibition, and production in Africa and around the world. His journey in the entertainment business began in London, where he gained over a decade of experience in cinema operations management, retail management, and Human Resource management from Europe’s largest cinema group, ODEON/UCI LTD.
Babatope announces female-led executive team
Biola Sokenu has been hired as Executive Director and Group COO. Sokenu is an experienced Financial Controller and Production Accountant with a career spanning over two decades across the UK, Nigeria, and the USA. Prior to her role as Executive Director for the Nile Group, she lead the financial operations at Fleet River Productions Ltd, managing the production of Netflix’s The Diplomat S2. Her extensive background includes independent films and pivotal roles at global organisations including AAA Entertainment, FilmOne Entertainment, and the BBC.
Lolu Desalu joins as Executive Director. Desalu is a seasoned marketing director with over 18 years of experience in business strategy and development, brand building and strategic partnerships across various industries, including entertainment, banking, gaming and technology. Lolu’s professional career spans roles at NPower, Incisive Media where she managed a team that delivered key campaigns for the 2012 London Olympics, TimeInc. London, AltWoman and AltTravel with Sterling Bank where she served as the Chief Marketing Officer. Lolu joins from her role as Chief Marketing Officer at Filmhouse Group, in which she led the highest grossing cinema marketing team in West Africa.
Abimbola Roli Craig has been appointed VP Production. Craig is a distinguished Nigerian filmmaker, lawyer, producer, director, and actress, and holds a law degree from the University of Buckingham. She practiced law for five years before transitioning to the creative industry in 2014 at NdaniTV where she produced the likes of Rumor Has It and Skinny Girl In Transit. In 2020, she rose to Head of Production at NdaniTV, where she co-produced hits Sugar Rush and Real Housewives of Lagos. For Netflix she made Glamour Girls, the first Nigerian film to reach the global top 10 list.
Bukky George Taylor joins as Vice President, Nile X, the luxury cinema arm of Nile Media Entertainment Group. Taylor is a seasoned strategic communications expert, public speaker, and entrepreneurial coach. In addition to her role as founder of Robert Taylor Media, a reputable strategic communications agency in Nigeria with a rich 17-year history across public relations, media relations, crisis management, new market entry, corporate communications, personal branding, and campaign building, she co-founded CRAWL AFRICA, the first tourism app in Africa. She joins Nile Group from her role as Director at The Lagos Today Newspaper, a leading digital publication from Lagos, Nigeria.
Nowekere Alexis C.I Segun-Ojo joins as General Manager of Distribution & Marketing. Nowe is a strategic leader with over 13 years of experience in public relations, brand strategy, and strategic communication across various sectors. As General Manager at Nile Entertainment, she shaped and executed the company’s strategic vision, contributing to the success of West Africa’s highest-grossing cinema marketing team, executing high-profile campaigns for local and international films. Previously she held roles at Kaiser Group, SO.Me Solutions, Deltech International, Bredero Pipeline Services Ltd, and The Mosé Store. She promotes women’s empowerment, serves on the Board of Trustees for the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, and volunteers for Slum2School and various initiatives.
Nile Media Entertainment Group subsidiaries
The Nile Group is comprised of five companies:
1. Nile Entertainment – The distribution arm extends its reach from local to international markets, spanning the US, Canada, and Europe. It has an innovative approach to distribution and will support African filmmakers.
2. Nile Cinemas – Building Luxury Cinema experiences with a community cinema ethos.
3. Nile Motion Pictures – Full cycle production company dedicated to creating compelling Nollywood films that resonate with global audiences.
4. Nile Studio Lab – A state-of-the-art film village in Nigeria attracting both local and international productions, fostering innovation and collaboration. It offers filmmakers cutting-edge facilities to bring their visions to life, positioning itself as a cornerstone of Nollywood’s future.
5. Nile Foundation – The CSR arm fostering community development through film. By investing in education, culture, and social projects, it leverages the transformative power of film to drive positive change and support sustainable development, uplifting and inspiring communities.
Moses Babatope, Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group, says: “Our vision for Nile Media Entertainment Group is to be the beacon of African storytelling, illuminating hearts and minds across the globe with captivating films that celebrate diversity, inspire empathy, normalise industry excellence and foster cultural exchange. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of storytelling, both in front of and behind the camera. Through our commitment to creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity, we aim to create films that entertain, enlighten, and empower audiences of all backgrounds. By championing diverse voices and perspectives, we seek to build bridges, spark dialogue, and cultivate a more compassionate and connected world.”
