Ope Ajayi, CEO of film distribution company Cinemax, is set to convene a major industry-focused conference in Lagos on January 30, 2026.
As part of efforts to strengthen the business side of Nigeria’s film industry.
The Lagos Business Film Summit will bring together key stakeholders across Nollywood to engage in practical conversations about sustainability, growth, and the future of film business in Nigeria.
According to Ajayi, the goal is to address the gap between Nollywood’s vast creative potential and the financial and structural realities currently limiting the industry.
Speaking with Nollywire, Ajayi explained that the summit is designed to encourage honest dialogue around how films are funded, distributed, marketed, and monetized.
By focusing on the business mechanics of filmmaking, the conference aims to influence the kinds of deals, partnerships, and growth strategies that will shape Nollywood’s next phase.
Ajayi is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in modern Nigerian film distribution.
Since launching Cinemax in 2023, he has overseen the release of several high-performing Nollywood titles, including Ada Omo Daddy, Thin Line, Queen Lateefah, The Party, Gingerrr, and A Very Dirty Christmas.
These releases have reinforced Cinemax’s reputation as a key player in bringing Nigerian films to wider audiences and improving box office outcomes.
Industry observers see the upcoming summit as a timely intervention, especially as Nollywood continues to expand globally while still grappling with issues around financing, distribution transparency, and long-term profitability.
By creating a space dedicated to business conversations not just creative ones the Lagos Business Film Summit is expected to offer practical insights for producers, distributors, investors, and filmmakers alike.
With January 2026 fast approaching, the summit is already being positioned as an important meeting point for decision-makers looking to rethink how Nollywood operates and how its economic value can be fully realized.
As the industry evolves, conversations like these may determine whether Nollywood’s growth is sustainable or short-lived.
The question now is: are industry players ready to move beyond creativity and fully confront the business realities shaping the future of Nigerian cinema?