Preye Odibo: Shaping Nollywood With Vision, Resilience

Over the past decade, Nollywood has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from low-budget productions into a powerhouse of high-budget films and state-of-the-art filmmaking infrastructure. One of the industry’s leading figures driving this change is Preye Odibo, a prominent Nigerian television and film producer known for her extensive work in television and cinema.
With a career spanning over decades, Odibo has produced 2,080 episodes of The Johnsons, Africa Magic’s most popular comedy series, which has won multiple AMVCA Awards for Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series. Her filmography also includes critically acclaimed projects such as Conversations in Transit, a testament to her ability to deliver high-quality productions.
Odibo’s journey into the entertainment world began in childhood, where she showcased her talents in dancing and acting at every opportunity. “Entertainment has always been a part of me,” she says. “I excelled as a dancer, winning competitions, and my love for storytelling led me to study Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan.”
Even during her NYSC service in 2011-2012, she continued to explore her passion, serving as a dance director. This foundation has shaped her career, equipping her with the resilience and creativity required in the fast-paced world of film and television.
Reflecting on Nollywood’s evolution, Odibo notes that the industry has transitioned from low-budget productions to high-quality films that now attract international collaborations. “The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Prime Video, has expanded our reach,” she explains.
She highlights the surge in high-budget productions and investments in filmmaking infrastructure, citing projects like Conversations in Transit as an example of how Nigerian storytelling has become more refined, visually compelling, and globally competitive.
Beyond film, scripted television has also advanced. “We’ve moved from traditional soap operas to high-quality dramas and thrillers,” she says. Popular series like The Johnsons have set new standards in TV production, focusing on cultural storytelling and socially relevant themes.
Producing a long-running sitcom like The Johnsons—with a demanding schedule of 260 episodes per year for eight seasons—comes with significant challenges. “Maintaining consistency in storytelling and humor over thousands of episodes is no small feat,” she admits. “It requires ongoing script development, seamless character interactions, and a dedicated production team.”
Other challenges include scheduling and coordination. “Managing a large cast and crew daily requires discipline. Delays—whether from cast availability or technical difficulties—can disrupt the entire workflow. That’s why I believe in strong planning and teamwork,” she says, echoing her mentor Rogers Ofime’s mantra: “The star of the team is the team.”
For Odibo, content must reflect local traditions and values while addressing contemporary social issues. “I collaborate with cultural experts and diverse voices to ensure authenticity,” she explains. Through her projects, she sparks conversations on issues like gender roles, economic inequality, and identity, making entertainment both engaging and thought-provoking.
Even comedy has a purpose. The Johnsons, though humorous, subtly critiques social norms through satire, making it both entertaining and socially impactful.
According to her, today’s producers are more than just coordinators; they are innovators, business strategists, and technology adopters. “With streaming platforms reshaping content distribution, producers must think globally while maintaining local relevance,” she explains.
She sees producers as the driving force behind storytelling, ensuring that cultural heritage, quality, and audience engagement remain at the forefront of filmmaking.
Among the many milestones in her career, the 1,500th episode celebration of The Johnsons stands out. “It was like a family reunion,” she recalls. “We had guest stars like Alibaba, Omawumi, IK Osakioduwa, Hilda Dokubo, and even actors from Tinsel. The energy on the set was electrifying”
Odibo believes that a successful show must balance engaging storytelling, cultural relevance, quality production, and audience connection. “The ability to evolve with trends while staying true to the core identity of a show is what keeps audiences coming back,” she says.
Despite working in a high-energy industry, Odibo identifies as an introvert. “When I am not on set, I enjoy watching films and series on streaming platforms,” she shares. “It helps me study storytelling techniques and industry trends. I also read, research, and—most importantly—sleep”
As a female producer navigating Nollywood’s competitive landscape, Odibo is committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women in film and television. “I want to be remembered as a storyteller who made an impact, a mentor who nurtured new talent, and a producer who helped shape the future of Nollywood,” she says.