As part of its continued foray into the African film market, subscription-based streaming service, Netflix has signed a major deal with EbonyLife Media to create new content from Nigeria.
With the deal signed, EbonyLife Media will work on screen adaptations of Lola Shoneyin’s novel ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s play ‘Death And The King’s Horseman’.
The collaboration will also see EbonyLife productions work with teams at Netflix to create Netflix-branded films.
“We’re thrilled about this first-of-its-kind partnership in Africa that will bring some of Nigeria and Africa’s most iconic storytelling to screen. We look forward to supporting Mo as she brings all these diverse Nigerian stories to the world,” said Netflix’s Lead For Original Series in Africa, Dorothy Ghettuba, in a statement released on Friday.
The deal is coming after Netflix launched “Netflix Naija” through a new Twitter handle in February. It also disclosed that work is ongoing on the first Nigerian Original Series.
Speaking about the partnership in a press release, CEO EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu said: “As a Nigerian storyteller, my biggest motivator has always been to tell authentic and untold stories that resonate with every person, regardless of where they’re from in the world while showcasing our culture, heritage and creativity.
“This unprecedented partnership is testament to the Netflix’s investment in African storytelling and we at EbonyLife are grateful and excited about the opportunity to work together with the Netflix teams led by Dorothy and Ben to deliver a slate of unique and riveting stories from Nigeria over the next few years for Netflix audiences around the world.”
Through EbonyLife Productions, Abudu has produced original television shows and top Nollywood films such as ‘Fifty’ and ‘The Wedding Party’, which is still the highest grossing film in Nigeria since its release in 2016.
