NEWS
From Best Graduating Student to AMVCA Winner: Segun Samuel Ogundeyi’s Next Chapter at the New York Film Academy
There was a time when the path for young African filmmakers was predictable: assist on sets for years, wait for a break, hope for funding, and gradually earn visibility. Today, that path is changing, and Segun Samuel Ogundeyi represents a new version of what early-career success can look like.
In 2023, he graduated as Best Student from the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF). In 2024, he stood on the winners’ list at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Her Dark Past, the feature film he co-directed. Now, he is preparing for advanced studies at the New York Film Academy in Florence, sponsored by MTF.
The scholarship, which is part of MTF’s strategic partnership with the New York Film Academy, is a collaboration designed to build bridges between Nollywood and Hollywood while creating meaningful global connections for African filmmakers. It is one of the clearer examples of how training institutions are now building international pathways into their programmes, not as afterthoughts but as a core strategy.
But beyond the milestones, his journey reflects three shifts shaping African cinema today: versatility, ownership, and global positioning.
1. The Rise of the Multi-Skilled Filmmaker
Ogundeyi did not leave film school boxed into a single identity. Since graduation, he has worked across directing and cinematography, co-directing a feature, shooting short films like Threshold, and serving as cinematographer on Transparent Boy, currently in post-production.
This kind of fluidity is becoming more valuable in Africa’s evolving film ecosystem. Budgets are tight, teams are lean, and filmmakers who understand multiple departments often move faster and make stronger creative decisions. Rather than limiting himself to one lane, Ogundeyi built competence across disciplines, a move that has expanded his opportunities.
2. From Collaboration to Company
Another notable development is his transition from graduate to entrepreneur. In 2024, he co-founded NINE NINE Productions Limited with a fellow MTF alumnus. It’s a step that signals more than ambition; it reflects a broader trend of young African creatives formalising their collaborations into structured businesses.
Instead of waiting to be hired, this generation is building platforms, producing independent projects, and positioning themselves as content owners. For Ogundeyi, projects like Threshold, which secured international festival selections, demonstrate how early-career filmmakers are combining artistic ambition with strategic distribution.
3. Local Roots, Global Exposure
His admission into the New York Film Academy’s Florence campus, fully funded by MultiChoice Talent Factory, is not a departure from African storytelling. Rather, it highlights the strength of MTF’s partnership with NYFA, which is designed to expand international exposure for African filmmakers while strengthening industry links between Nollywood and Hollywood.
The collaboration reflects a broader vision: equip African creatives with world-class training while keeping their storytelling perspectives rooted in local realities. For Ogundeyi, the opportunity provides access to new techniques, wider networks and global industry insight at a relatively early stage in his career.
Mentorship has also played a critical role in shaping his trajectory. During his time at MTF, Ogundeyi was guided by established figures including Tunde Kelani, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Linus Abraham and Jess Castellote of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. That combination of structured training and active industry mentorship helped build a foundation strong enough to compete beyond national borders.
A Career Still in Motion
It is easy to focus on the highlights, Best Graduating Student, AMVCA winner, and international film school admission. But what stands out more is the pattern: consistent output, cross-functional growth, and deliberate career building within two years of graduation.
Ogundeyi’s story is not just about individual achievement. It signals how the African film industry is evolving, with clearer training pathways, stronger award platforms, expanding festival circuits, and young filmmakers who see no contradiction between being local and being global.
With the backing of MultiChoice Talent Factory’s global training pipeline and its partnership-driven bridge between Nollywood and Hollywood, Ogundeyi’s next phase in Florence represents more than personal progress. It reflects a growing ecosystem intentionally preparing African filmmakers for international relevance.
If this is what the first two years after graduation can look like, the next decade of African cinema may well be defined by filmmakers who are trained, versatile, business-minded, and internationally connected, yet firmly committed to telling stories rooted in their own realities.
Segun Samuel Ogundeyi is one of them.
NEWS
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026 yesterday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the faithful to intensify prayers for lasting peace in the state and Nigeria at large. The governor made the appeal in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, ahead of the Eid prayers.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is observed annually by Muslims on the 10th day of Dhulhijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the unwavering obedience and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il in submission to Allah’s (SWT) command an act replaced by divine intervention with a ram.
In his address, Governor Lawal reflected on the spiritual significance of the season, noting that the sacrificial rite not only honours Prophet Ibrahim’s submission but also forms an essential part of the Hajj rituals for pilgrims currently in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
“I felicitate with the Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2026,” the governor said. “The sacrifice performed during Eid is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s submission and is also part of the Hajj rites for pilgrims.”
The governor specifically called on residents of Zamfara, particularly those undertaking the pilgrimage, to remain steadfast in prayers for the state and the nation.
“We have made significant progress in the fight against banditry, which is why dispersed communities are now returning to their homes,” Lawal stated. He cited a recent milestone: “Last week, we successfully returned thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral community of Fegin Kanawa Village in Gusau Local Government Area after over a year of displacement.”
According to officials, the village had been abandoned due to repeated bandit attacks, forcing residents to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or host communities. The successful return of the IDPs marks one of the administration’s key achievements in its ongoing security and reconstruction efforts.
Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling the state to witness what he described as a “historic” achievement the airlift of pilgrims from Gusau International Airport, which has now resumed full operations after previous disruptions.
“We are committed to ensuring the safe return of all displaced persons to their homes. Such successes are only possible due to our collective prayers. I urge us to pray more, especially during sacred religious festivals,” he added.
The governor concluded his message with warm wishes: “I wish everyone a peaceful Eid celebration.”
Following the broadcast, Governor Lawal joined thousands of worshippers at the Gusau Central Eid prayer ground, where he observed the two-unit Eid prayer and listened to the customary sermon (khutbah). Security was notably heightened across the state, with checkpoints and patrols deployed to prevent any attacks during the celebrations.
Zamfara, like much of Nigeria’s North-West region, has faced years of insecurity fueled by banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. The governor’s emphasis on prayer reflects a broader strategy that combines military offensives, community dialogue, and spiritual advocacy to restore normalcy.
At Wema Bank, we have spent the last few years reimagining what Children’s Day can look like for Nigerian children.What started as a celebration has evolved into an intentional platform designed to build confidence, encourage leadership, promote financial literacy and create meaningful opportunities for children across different age groups.This year, we have raised the bar even higher. At Wema Bank’s Children’s Day Special Event held on Monday, May 25, 2026, our One-Day MD/CEO, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, used her first official act in office to unveil a series of new initiatives designed to reward, educate and empower children through our Royal Kiddies account and ALAT Xplore platform.From year-long cash rewards and celebrations of academic excellence to financial literacy materials and STEM challenges, here are the new incentives that were announced and how to qualify:1. Birthday Cash Gift (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema bank is putting real money behind milestone birthdays. Active Royal Kiddies account holders turning 5 will receive ₦5,000, while those turning 10 will receive ₦10,000 automatically, as a birthday cash gift. The initiative runs from May 2026 to May 2027. Importantly, active account holders who already turned 5 or 10 before May 2026 this year will also receive their reward this month.To qualify: Your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account and be turning (or have turned) age 5 or 10 within the qualifying window.2. ₦100,000 Reward for Top Common Entrance Students (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)In a move that directly ties financial reward to academic achievement, Wema Bank will reward the top 100 students in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with ₦100,000 each. This initiative commences in June 2026.To qualify: Your child must be among the top 100 performers in the NCEE and hold a Royal Kiddies account.3. Financial Literacy Book Launch – Money Adventures (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema Bank officially launched Money Adventures, a financial literacy book created for children aged 6 and above, at the Children’s Day event. Designed to make money conversations simpler and more engaging for young readers, the book introduces children to foundational concepts around saving, money management and responsible financial habits in a fun, age-appropriate way. To qualify: To receive a copy of this book, your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account or have their Royal Kiddies account newly activated.4. Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge (ALAT Xplore Account Holders)The Bank also unveiled the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge. Designed for secondary school students aged 13–17, the programme will run across six schools nationwide with existing STEM programmes. Through hands-on STEM competitions and school engagements, the initiative aims to promote innovation, technology awareness, financial literacy and responsible savings culture. There will also be monetary prizes to be won at the end of the challenge.To qualify: Your child must be an ALAT Xplore customer, aged 13–17, and attend one of the participating schools with an active STEM programme.Over the last four years, Wema Bank has consistently treated Children’s Day as more than a calendar moment. From the One-Day MD/CEO initiative to school tours, leadership experiences and child-focused financial literacy campaigns, the Bank has continued to expand how it supports children meaningfully.Yet, this is the first time the bank has included a Children’s Day initiative that runs for an entire year. Combine that with a six-figure academic reward, a published financial literacy resource, and a nationwide school tour, and it becomes clear: this is the most comprehensive, most impactful package of benefits Wema Bank has ever delivered to its youngest customers. It signals a growing commitment by Wema Bank to create experiences for children that extend far beyond celebration and leave a lasting impact long after Children’s Day is over.
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens of retired public servants, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has officially approved increased monthly pension payments for all former workers from both state and local government offices. The approval follows an extensive financial review of retirees’ living conditions, with particular attention to those in lower-income brackets who have been disproportionately affected by the prevailing cost-of-living crisis.The decision was precipitated by the findings and recommendations of a special committee empaneled to evaluate the welfare situation of pensioners across the state. The committee’s report highlighted acute financial distress among aging retirees and called for immediate remedial action. In response, the state government has authorized a substantive upward adjustment in monthly pension stipends.This increment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Minimum Wage Act of 2024, which explicitly recommended an additional monthly sum of at least N32,000 for pensioners. Governor Lawal has opted for full implementation of this advisory for all retired state and local government employees a policy intervention expected to benefit thousands of households across Zamfara. The state government has subsequently issued binding directives to all relevant agencies to ensure the expeditious and seamless disbursement of the enhanced payments without procedural delays.Speaking on the development, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, characterized the policy as a tangible demonstration of Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for both active and former government workers. According to the Commissioner, the administration operates on the principle that dignified retirement includes access to basic necessities and financial comfort. Beneficiaries across all local government areas have been assured of prompt payment once implementation commences.
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