New African film entertainment player Nile Group has announced a partnership that will be bring more cinema screens to Ojaja Cinemas, a film exhibition venue in Ile-Ife, located in Osun state in south-west Nigeria. The agreement will see Nile Group manage the cinemas.
“We are happy to share that we have secured a landmark partnership with His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife on Ojaja Cinemas,” the group said on Instagram. “This collaboration marks a significant step towards redefining the cinematic experience in Nigeria.”
The new project, the company added, will “upgrade to 1,000 screens across the nation, starting with Ile-Ife, Akure, and Lagos.”
Ojaja Cinemas was commissioned on October 17 and is situated within Ojaja Film and Talent City in Ile-Ife. A ceremonial signing event was held on 29 October. Speaking at the ceremony, the Ooni explained the cinema’s economic significance.
“I am not an expert,” he said, “but I am using my platform as a monarch to create employment for Nigeria’s young and growing population. We cannot rely solely on the government, and that’s why I decided to establish the Ojaja Film and Talent City on 1,000 acres.”
Moses Babatope, CEO of Nile Group, said, “We are building an entertainment ecosystem that will redefine how Nigerians experience cinema. Our vision extends beyond traditional cinema management to creating multiple revenue streams through strategic partnerships, premium experiences, and innovative content distribution.”
This news follows the announcement of Nile’s partnership with EbonyLife, which is intended to create a luxury cinema experience in specific parts of West Africa. At the time, Bukky George-Taylor, VP of Nile X, Nile Group’s cinema subdivision, said her company had “laid the groundwork for partnerships and collaboration, and we are open to more”.
The new arrangement with Ojaja Cinemas clearly fits that intention. Babatope explained his company’s goals further. “We’re paving the way for Nigerian cinema to not only meet but set global standards,” he said. “This is the paradigm shift our industry has been waiting for, and Nile is ready to lead with major investments in technology, talent, and infrastructure.”
