Tunde Babalola ranks among Nigeria’s leading screenwriters, celebrated for masterful storytelling in cinema and television. Spanning decades, his scripts for films such as October 1, Citation, Last Flight to Abuja, and The Meeting have driven Nollywood’s shift toward sophisticated, internationally competitive productions. His achievements include multiple Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, bolstering Nigeria’s stature in African filmmaking.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Tunde Babalola (Oluwatunji Babalola) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Place of Birth | England |
| Nationality | Nigerian-British |
| State of Origin | Osun/Oyo State |
| Partner/Spouse | Abi (married November 2015 in London) |
| Children | Yes |
| Occupations | Screenwriter, Playwright, Producer, Television/Film Writer |
| Net Worth | ₦300 million ($200,000 USD, 2025 estimate) |
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in England, Tunde Babalola showed early interest in entertainment, often studying television performances as a child. From a family with an accountant father and a Central Bank of Nigeria employee mother, he pursued creativity despite their non-artistic backgrounds. At age 14, he wrote his first script, In The Raw, a romantic campus drama that never produced but confirmed his talent.
His uncle suggested a military path at the Nigerian Defence Academy, but his mother intervened due to political concerns and his outspoken personality. He instead attended Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife for a Dramatic Arts degree, studying acting alongside screenwriting to better understand performers’ needs. This approach ensured even minor roles in his scripts received meaningful development.
Career
After university, Babalola moved to the UK to hone his skills in its structured industry, recognizing Nigeria’s limitations at the time. He endured three years of rejections, filling four shoeboxes with letters while working odd jobs like library positions. Breakthrough arrived with Channel 4’s commission for the sitcom In Exile, validating his professional potential.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, he contributed to BBC, Carlton Television, Channel 4, and Chrysalis Television. His key break came with The Bill police drama, followed by 1997 serials True to Life Player, Crime of a Lesser Passion, and Armed and Dangerous, plus One Man, Two Faces in 1998. Seeing his name in The Bill credits marked his establishment as a sought-after writer. In 2002, he acted briefly in Deep Freeze as a helicopter pilot, but focused on writing.
Back in Nigeria during Nollywood’s cinema evolution, early works like Critical Assignment (2004) and Maami (2011) built his reputation. Last Flight to Abuja (2012) marked major success, proving demand for his narrative depth.
The 2014 film October 1 (originally Dust), directed by Kunle Afolayan, became his pinnacle, a 1960s independence-era drama scripted in four weeks, including an 18-hour writing marathon. Its acclaim led to 2015 AMVCA Best Writer (Drama) win.
Personal Life
Babalola immerses fully in characters during writing, researching era-specific details like 1960 diaries for October 1. He married Abi in London in 2015; she serves as CEO of their Phoenix Media Partners, supporting Afro-Caribbean initiatives. Abi connects to music director Moe Musa and Afrobeats artist JJC Skillz. Family details on children remain private.
Net Worth
Tunde Babalola’s net worth stands at an estimated ₦300 million (approximately $200,000 USD) as of 2025. This figure reflects earnings from decades of high-profile screenwriting, extensive television work including thousands of Tinsel episodes, production roles, and co-ownership of Phoenix Media Partners.
Filmography
Feature Films (Writer/Screenwriter)
- Critical Assignment (2004)
- Maami (2011)
- Last Flight to Abuja (2012)
- The Meeting (2012)
- October 1 (2014)
- The CEO (2016)
- Ghana Must Go (2016)
- The Eve (2018)
- Mokalik (Mechanic) (2019)
- Diamonds in the Sky (2019)
- Citation (2020)
- The New Normal (2020)
- Crossroads (2020)
- Tenant of the House (2019)
- La Femme Anjola (2021)
- Oghogho (2022)
- Ijogbon (2023)
- House of Ga’a (2024)
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (2024)
- Devil Is a Liar (2024)
- A Ghetto Love Story (2025)
Television Series (Writer)
- The Bill (1997)
- True to Life Player (1997)
- Crime of a Lesser Passion (1997)
- Armed and Dangerous (1997)
- In Exile (1998)
- One Man, Two Faces (1998)
- Single Voices (2002)
- Tinsel (2008–2025) – 3,732 episodes
- Life in Slow Motion (2008)
Acting Credits
- Deep Freeze (2001) – Shockley, helicopter pilot
Production Credits
- Rib Busters: Comedy Show (2015)
- Hakkunde (2017)
Awards and Nominations
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA)
- 2015: Best Writer (Drama) – October 1
- 2015: Best Writer (Comedy) – The Meeting
- 2017: Best Writer – The CEO
- 2017: Best Writer – Ghana Must Go
- 2024: Best Writing in a Movie – Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Numerous other nominations highlight his ongoing industry acclaim through public and peer voting.
