Nollywood’s prime 9 highest-grossing cinematographers delivered a formidable N3.38 billion in field workplace earnings in 2024, establishing their function as key contributors to the business’s business success.
These visible storytellers performed a pivotal function within the success of 73 Nollywood titles launched throughout 106 cinemas, capturing 46% of Nigeria’s complete field workplace income of N11.58 billion in line with reviews by Filmone Leisure.
Their work powered 15 Nollywood movies to gross over N100 million every, demonstrating how high-quality cinematography can elevate a movie’s enchantment and monetary efficiency.
As a part of Nollywood’s worth chain, now value an estimated $6.4 billion, these cinematographers are driving the business ahead by delivering visuals that captivate audiences and improve storytelling.
In an business competing with overseas films for market dominance—the place Hollywood captured 54% of income share in 2024—these top-performing cinematographers are proving that Nollywood’s visible requirements are regularly changing into par with international expectations.
Let’s check out the highest 10 highest-grossing administrators of images as of 2024.
9. Adekunle Adejuigbe Nodash
Film- Wives on Strike: The Rebellion
Adekunle Adejuigbe Nodash is a famend Nigerian cinematographer and filmmaker who served because the Director of Pictures for Omoni Oboli’s “Wives on Strike” franchise, which grossed a formidable N127 million.
Because the MD/CEO of One thing Uncommon Studios, a premier movie manufacturing firm, and the Staff Lead of The Elite Movie Staff (T.E.F.T), Nodash has set benchmarks for worldwide requirements in Nigerian filmmaking. His work has earned him recognition as a jury member for FESPACO 2021 and alternatives to signify Nigeria at prestigious international boards, together with the Cannes Movie Competition’s African Movies Pavilion (2020), Africa Day Geneva (2021), and Nollywood Evening in Marseille (2021).
8. Barnabas Emodi
Film: The betrayed, When Love Strikes.. A Evening in 2005 Gross: N149 million
Barnabas “Barny” Emordi is a Nigerian filmmaker, cinematographer, and director, based mostly in Lagos. He has made vital contributions to Nollywood, incomes recognition for his cinematography in blockbusters comparable to The Betrayed, When Love Strikes, and A Evening in 2005 which grossed a cumulative of N149 million. His work in The Ghost and the Tout and Prophetess contributed to their mixed field workplace gross of over N200 million in 2021.
An AMVCA nominee , Emordi’s profession highlights embrace directing the images for a few of Nollywood’s largest hits, comparable to Elevator Child, Famous person, and DOD (the primary Nollywood time journey movie). He has additionally made his mark within the worldwide scene, serving because the Nigerian cinematographer for Netflix’s authentic documentary collection Tales of a Technology with Pope Francis, and his work has been featured on main platforms like Huffington Put up and Washington Put up.
7. Lance Gewer
Film; Funmilayo Ransom KutiGross: N157 million
Lance Gewer, a South African cinematographer with 28 years of expertise, has earned worldwide popularity of his distinctive work throughout varied genres. Identified for his award-winning cinematography in Tsotsi, which gained an Oscar for Greatest International Language Movie in 2006, Gewer has labored on a various vary of movies, together with Beat the Drum, Otelo Burning, and Spud.
Along with his spectacular portfolio, Gewer was the Director of Pictures for Bolanle Austen-Peters’ biopic Funmilayo Ransom Kuti, which premiered on Amazon Prime after grossing N157 million on the field workplace. His work on the movie fantastically captured the lifetime of the long-lasting Nigerian activist. Gewer has additionally directed, produced, and lectured extensively, shaping the subsequent technology of filmmakers whereas persevering with to go away his mark on the movie business worldwide.
6. Ifeme CS
Film: All’s Truthful in Love & Transfer Like a BossGross: N158 million
Ifeme Chidiebere Samuel (FKA Ifeme C.S.) is a multifaceted Nigerian filmmaker identified for his work as a director, producer, cinematographer, and author. Beginning his artistic journey in images, he transitioned into directing music movies for distinguished artists comparable to Sarz, DJ Neptune, and TOBi.
In February 2022, Ifeme ventured into cinematography, together with his debut movie being the psychological thriller Ile Owo (Home of Cash). He went on to function the cinematographer for All’s Truthful in Love, produced by Deyemi Okanlawon, and Transfer Like a Boss, two standout movies that collectively grossed a formidable N158 million on the field workplace.
Along with his eye for element and a expertise for visible storytelling, Ifeme is shortly carving out a status as one in every of Nollywood’s most promising cinematographers.
5. Sanjo Adegoke
Film: Lakatabu Gross: N202 million
Sanjo Adegoke is a dynamic Nigerian filmmaker celebrated for his experience as an editor, cinematographer, and VFX artist. Identified for his work on Alaye (2024), Ofeefe (Mirage) (2019), and Cooked Up Love (2018), Adegoke has earned a status as a multimedia juggernaut within the business.
An AMVCA 2023 nominee for Greatest Editor-he was the Director of Pictures for Odunlade Adekola’s blocbuster Lakatabu. The movie grossed a formidable N202 million
4. Emmanuel Oputa
Film: The Waiter Gross: N189 million
Oputa Emmanuel is a rising Nigerian filmmaker and cinematographer who honed his craft on the Nationwide Movie Institute of Nigeria, the place he graduated because the Greatest Sensible Pupil in Cinematography in 2018. Since then, he has constructed a formidable profession as a seasoned cinematographer and director of images, contributing to movie, tv dramas, documentaries, and TV reveals. His notable works embrace Assail (2015), Within the Gray, Tails of Treachery (2016), and The Eulogy, which gained Excellent Cinematography and Greatest Movie on the NAFFIS Awards in 2018.
In 2024, Oputa’s cinematographic experience shone within the movie The Waiter, produced by AY Makun, which grossed a formidable N189 million. By early 2025, the movie had crossed the N300 million mark.
3. Idowu Adedapo
Film: Beast of Two Worlds, Alakada Unhealthy & Boujee Gross: N483 million
Idowu Adedapo is a masterful Nigerian cinematographer whose distinctive work has introduced a few of Nollywood’s most iconic visuals to life. Although he might not share the highlight with actors and producers, his craft speaks volumes.
With in depth expertise in tv and movie, Adedapo has carved a distinct segment as one in every of Nollywood’s most versatile and completed cinematographers. His spectacular portfolio consists of tasks like Issakaba (produced by Lancelot Imasuen), ORI (produced by Muyiwa Ademola), and Beast of the Two Worlds (produced by Eniola Ajao). He has additionally been the director of images for Netflix’s Blood Sisters, Oloture, and Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doorways.
Adedapo’s cinematographic experience has performed a key function within the business success of movies like Beast of the Two Worlds and Alakada Unhealthy and Boujee, which collectively contributed to a formidable field workplace gross of N483 million in 2024.
2. Emmanuel Igbekele
Film: Queen Lateefah, Ajosepo & Farmer’s Bride Gross: N790 million
Emmanuel Igbekele, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo College’s Dramatic Arts program, is a distinguished cinematographer and colorist whose work has elevated Nollywood’s cinematic requirements.
His various filmography consists of hits like Love in a Pandemic, Atunwa, Roles Reversed, Soole, Conceal ‘n’ Search, A couple of Boy, Introducing the Kujus, Attain, Mirabel, Breaded Life, and Ponzi. As a talented colorist, Emmanuel has labored throughout function movies, brief movies, documentaries, commercials, and TV reveals, refining visuals that captivate audiences worldwide.
In 2024, Emmanuel’s distinctive expertise contributed to the blockbuster success of Queen Lateefah, Ajosepo, and Farmer’s Bride, which collectively grossed a formidable N790 million on the field workplace.
1. John Demps
Film: All people Loves Jenifa Gross: N1.125 billion
John Demps, a veteran cinematographer with a profession spanning a long time, has masterfully mixed Hollywood aptitude with Nollywood’s dynamic storytelling. His experience is obvious in a few of Nollywood’s most profitable movies, together with Residing in Bondage: Breaking Free, The Commerce, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and the extremely anticipated All people Loves Jenifa, which has grossed an astounding N1.125 billion on the field workplace.
Demps’ journey started in Hollywood, the place he labored on music movies for legendary artists like Tupac and Snoop Dogg. His transition to Nollywood showcases his adaptability and dedication to crafting compelling visible narratives, seamlessly mixing technical experience with cultural storytelling.
His contributions haven’t solely elevated the technical requirements of Nollywood movies but additionally attracted international audiences, positioning him as a key determine within the business’s evolution.
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