Ope Ajayi

Ope Ajayi
Born
Lagos, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigeria
EducationUniversity of Lagos, Lagos Business School
OccupationFilm producer

Ope Ajayi is a Nigerian film producer and promoter. He is the founder and CEO of Cinemax Distribution Limited and COTS Productions. He is also the convener of the Lagos Business Of Film Summit. He is best known as the executive producer of the Nigerian murder mystery series, The Party which was released on Netflix in May 2025. He is also an executive producer of the film Queen Lateefah, produced in partnership with Wumi Toriola and the co-executive producer of the films Brotherhood, Ada Omo Daddy and Thinline, in partnership with actress and producer Mercy Aigbe. He has licensed many films to multiple platforms, including Sista by Biodun Stephen, and Silence by Yemi "Filmboy" Morafa.

Early life and education

Ajayi was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He completed his secondary education at the International School, University of Lagos, and earned a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business school.

Career

Ajayi spent his early career working in the financial services sector before moving to Genesis Cinemas.

Ajayi was appointed executive director at Genesis Group. In July 2022, he was elected as the National Chairman of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.

Filmography

Year Title Major cast Role Reference
2022 Brotherhood Tobi Bakre, Folarin Falana, Toni Tones, Ronke Oshodi Oke Co-executive producer
2023 Ada Omo Daddy Mercy Aigbe, Omowunmi Dada, Nkechi Blessing, Sola Sobowale Co-executive producer / producer
2024 Queen Lateefah Wumi Toriola, Kunle Remi, Fathia Williams, Femi Adebayo Co-executive producer / producer
Thin Line Mercy Aigbe, Uche Montana, Nkechi Blessing, Uzor Arukwe Co-executive producer / producer
2025 The Party Kehinde Bankole, Shaffy Bello, Uzor Arukwe, Mide Martins Executive producer and producer
2025 Gingerrr Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori (popularly known as KieKie), Bisola Aiyeola, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola Co-executive producer / producer

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Reference
2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Movie West Africa Brotherhood Won
Best Overall Movie Nominated
2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award Best Movie Gingerrr Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Cinematography Nominated
Best Score Music Nominated
Best Sound Design Nominated
Best Writing Movie Nominated
Best Makeup Nominated
Best Score Music The Party Nominated
Best Writing (TV Series) Nominated
Best Sound Design Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (2024-10-05). "How Ope Ajayi is transforming film distribution in Nigeria through Cinemax". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  2. ↑ ShockNG (2023-01-29). "Ope Ajayi Exits Genesis, Launches New Distribution Start up "Cinemax" (Exclusive)". ShockNG. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  3. ↑ "Wumi Toriola Set to Release First Cinema Film Queen Lateefah". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. ↑ Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-11-12). "Queen Lateefah grosses N333.7 Million, Enters Nollywood's top box office rankings". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  5. ↑ Oloruntoyin, Faith (2023-11-27). "Love becomes chaotic in Mercy Aigbe's star-packed 'Ada Omo Daddy' trailer". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  6. ↑ Udodiong, Inemesit (2023-05-20). "Biodun Stephen's 'Sista' lands official release date on Prime Video". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  7. ↑ Ogwo, Charles (2024-09-09). "LBS targets entry-level managers with 18-month M.Sc in mgt". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  8. ↑ ShockNG (2023-01-29). "Ope Ajayi Exits Genesis, Launches New Distribution Start up "Cinemax" (Exclusive)". ShockNG. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  9. ↑ "Nigeria's Cinema Records N441m Revenue In March 2023". News Agency of Nigeria. 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  10. ↑ Oloruntoyin, Faith (2023-11-27). "Love becomes chaotic in Mercy Aigbe's star-packed 'Ada Omo Daddy' trailer". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  11. ↑ Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-10-09). "Wunmi Toriola's "Queen Lateefah" hits N150 Million at Nigerian box office". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  12. ↑ Mix, Pulse (2023-09-05). "Cinemax announces long awaited cinematic, eyegasmic murder mystery 'The Party'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Precious, Ozaveshe (2026-03-30). "AMVCA 2026: 'Gingerrr,' 'The Herd, ' 'To Kill A Monkey,' others dominate nominee list [FULL LIST]". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 2026-03-30.