As Nigeria’s film industry continues to gain international recognition, emerging creative professionals are demonstrating a growing commitment to promoting African narratives and strengthening Nollywood’s presence on the global stage. Among them is Modupe Lasisi, whose involvement in culturally significant film projects reflects the collective ambition of Nigerian filmmakers to showcase the richness of African storytelling to audiences across the world.

This commitment to projecting indigenous stories internationally was evident in Mai Martaba, the epic Hausa-language film directed and produced by Prince Daniel Aboki under Blackville Media. The film gained international attention following its selection as Nigeria’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.

The ambitious production brought together a team of experienced and emerging film professionals, including producers and other members of the production team who contributed to bringing the culturally rich story to life.

Among those involved was Lasisi, who served as an associate producer on the project, contributing to a production that brought together more than 100 crew members on set.

Her participation in the film reflects the increasing involvement of Nigerian creative professionals in projects that seek to combine indigenous storytelling with the production standards required to reach international audiences.

For Lasisi, being associated with a project such as
Mai Martaba represents an important step in a professional journey connected to the broader development of Nollywood and the promotion of authentic African narratives.

The film, which explores themes of power, leadership, love, greed and betrayal within a traditional African kingdom, draws inspiration from Northern Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Through its storytelling, costumes, settings and historical influences, Mai Martaba offers audiences an opportunity to experience aspects of African identity that are not always prominently represented in international cinema.

Shot in Daura, Katsina State, the production also demonstrates the potential of indigenous Nigerian stories to attract international interest without compromising their cultural foundations.

For professionals such as Lasisi, participation in productions of this nature highlights the importance of creating opportunities for African stories to travel beyond their immediate cultural environments while maintaining the authenticity that makes them distinctive.

With more than 100 crew members reportedly involved in the production, Mai Martaba required extensive collaboration across various filmmaking departments, including cinematography, production coordination, costume design, set construction and technical operations.

As an associate producer, Lasisi was part of the wider production structure supporting the execution of the film, working within a collaborative environment that brought together different creative and technical disciplines.

Such productions demonstrate that the international advancement of Nollywood depends not only on the vision of directors and producers but also on the contributions of professionals whose work behind the scenes helps transform creative ideas into finished cinematic experiences.

Lasisi’s involvement further reflects the growing importance of building a generation of Nigerian film professionals equipped to participate in ambitious productions and contribute to the industry’s long-term development.

Over the years, Nollywood has evolved from a predominantly local entertainment industry into an increasingly recognised contributor to global cinema. The expansion of international streaming platforms, film festivals and distribution networks has created new opportunities for Nigerian stories to reach diverse audiences.

However, industry observers continue to emphasise that sustaining this growth requires greater investment in quality production, professional collaboration and culturally relevant storytelling.

It is within this evolving landscape that the contributions of emerging professionals such as Lasisi become significant.

Her participation in Mai Martaba places her within a growing community of Nigerian creatives gaining experience through projects that seek to elevate African cinema and demonstrate its capacity to compete internationally.

The selection of Mai Martaba as Nigeria’s submission for the 2025 Oscars marked an important moment for indigenous filmmaking, particularly for the representation of Hausa-language cinema on a prestigious international platform.

Although the film did not secure a final Academy Award nomination, its selection reinforced the relevance of culturally rooted African narratives in conversations about global filmmaking.

Beyond the recognition associated with international awards, the project also demonstrated the value of collaboration, cultural preservation and the development of local filmmaking expertise.

For Lasisi, whose professional experience includes participation in the production, the film represents an opportunity to contribute to a wider creative movement focused on ensuring that African stories receive greater international visibility.

As the industry continues to expand, the need for skilled producers, associate producers, production managers and other technical professionals remains essential to delivering films capable of meeting international expectations.

The growing participation of professionals in these roles also provides encouragement for young Nigerians seeking careers in filmmaking beyond acting and directing.

Through projects such as Mai Martaba, Nollywood continues to demonstrate that African stories possess the depth, originality and universal appeal required to connect with audiences across cultural boundaries.

For Lasisi, the experience underscores the value of contributing to productions that celebrate African identity while supporting the industry’s ambition to establish a stronger international presence.

Her association with the film reflects a professional commitment to being part of an industry increasingly focused on telling its own stories, preserving its cultural heritage and expanding its influence beyond the continent.

As Nollywood looks towards a future of greater global recognition, the contributions of professionals such as Modupe Lasisi, working alongside visionary directors, producers and dedicated production crews, will remain an important part of the collective effort to take Nigerian and African storytelling to the world.

Ultimately, the journey towards global recognition is not simply about winning international awards. It is about building an industry where African filmmakers can tell authentic stories with confidence, professionalism and creative independence.

For Modupe Lasisi, being part of that journey represents both a professional milestone and an opportunity to contribute to the continuing evolution of Nollywood as a powerful voice in world cinema.