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Eniola Ajao has quietly dominated Nollywood’s production scene, yet the recognition her work warrants often falls short. Her latest release, Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju), showcases her talents not just as an actress but as a visionary producer, storyteller, and box-office record breaker.
Released nationwide on March 29, 2024, Ajakaju shattered expectations at the Nigerian box office, raking in ₦16 million on day one, the highest opening for any Nollywood film that year.
Within four days, the film grossed ₦63.2 million and by day five, the total topped ₦101.2 million, making Eniola the first female first-time producer to achieve such a milestone.
Despite these staggering numbers, mainstream discourse often overlooks her contributions. The spotlight tends to focus on male-led productions or superstar actors rather than celebrating Ajao’s dual roles both in front of and behind the camera.
Yet, Beast of Two Worlds is undeniably her project from conceptual development to box office success.
Her journey behind the scenes is just as compelling. Ajao reportedly financed the film by selling personal assets, demonstrating extraordinary faith in her vision and resilience in the face of criticism. She even publicly apologized after a controversial Best-Dressed Female award misstep at her premierean incident she turned into personal growth, reflecting both accountability and leadership.
“Every decision I made, even the ones that caused backlash, came from a place of love for my work and the industry,” Ajao said during a press briefing. “I’m learning every day, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come with Ajakaju.”
Following the success of Ajakaju, Ajao continued to raise expectations with Owambe Thieves, released on April 18, 2025, via Anthill Studios and FilmOne. The ensemble cast and tight suspense narrative further showcased her ambition to evolve Nollywood’s storytelling landscape.
Yet, despite these achievements, Ajao rarely makes headlines the way her contemporaries do. Her name isn’t mentioned as often when discussing Nollywood’s top producers even though she's proof that women can lead major commercial successes in the industry.
Her humility may be part of the reason: “I don’t need to be the loudest. I just want the work to speak for itself,” she once said in an interview.
Still, there’s momentum. She’s now frequently grouped alongside talent-heavyweights like Toyin Abraham, with growing commentary from industry observers praising her consistency and creativity. One fan posted, “Eniola Ajao deserves more. She’s doing what few dare to attempt in Nollywood today.”
#Eniola Ajao
#Nollywood
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