Ekene Som Mekwunye is a Nigerian filmmaker who has become one of the most respected voices in African cinema. Born in 1978, he’s built a career that spans television production, short films, and feature films that have earned international recognition. His work has found its way to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and major film festivals across five continents.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Ekene Som Mekwunye |
| Date of Birth | April 22, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Igbo |
| Partner | Muti Mekwunye (married April 2012) |
| Children | Two |
| Occupations | Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Educator |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Mekene Som Mekwunye was born on April 22, 1978, in Nigeria. He started as a camera assistant at his church, which led him to work at Africa Magic on shows like Jara and 53extra.
He later attended the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for formal film training and is also a University of Lagos graduate. Today, he teaches film production at Pan Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication.
Career
Mekwunye’s career spans over a decade in Nigerian entertainment. After his early television work, he founded Riverside Productions and created the popular wedding reality show My Big Nigerian Wedding. His short films won major awards, including Oblivious taking Best Short Film at AMVCA 2015 and The Encounter winning Best Sound Design at AMVCA 2017.
He’s now directed ten feature films including Sylvia, Light In The Dark (which won Best Director at Kaduna International Film Festival), and One Lagos Night, which Netflix acquired exclusively. His recent films like Honey Money, Ambivalent, and Kali are on Amazon Prime Video.
In 2025, he released Èwò (Forbidden), his first Yoruba-language film, in Nigerian and Ghanaian cinemas. His work has screened at Cannes, Zanzibar International Film Festival, and festivals across five continents. He also teaches through The Imagery Program, offering free workshops to young filmmakers.
Personal Life
Mekwunye married Muti Mekwunye (born Omotosho) in April 2012 in Lagos. The couple has two children together. He balances his family life in Lagos with his demanding career as a filmmaker.
Net Worth
Ekene Som Mekwunye’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000 to $1 million (roughly ₦400 million to ₦800 million). This estimate is based on his extensive filmography with multiple Netflix and Amazon Prime releases, his AMVCA wins, international festival screenings, and his role as a film educator.
Filmography
TV Production (2011-2013)
- Jara – Producer
- 53extra – Producer
- Channel O content – Producer and Director
- MTV Shuga 3 – Project Coordinator (2013)
- My Big Nigerian Wedding – Director, Producer, Executive Producer (2013)
Short Films
- Oblivious (2013) – Screenwriter, Producer – AMVCA Best Short Film winner
- The Encounter (2015) – Producer – AMVCA Best Sound Design winner
- A Simple Letter (2015) – Producer
- Lasgidi Vice (2016) – Producer – Cannes 2018
Feature Films
- Sylvia (2018) – Producer – Prime Video
- Light In The Dark (2019) – Writer, Director, Producer – Netflix, Kaduna Best Director winner
- One Lagos Night (2021) – Director, Producer – Netflix
- How to Love Me (2023) – Director, Producer – Prime Video
- Honey Money (2023) – Director, Producer
- Ambivalent (2024) – Writer, Director, Producer – Prime Video
- Kali (2024) – Writer, Director, Producer – Prime Video
- I Hate Love Stories (2024) – Director, Producer
- Move Like A Boss (2024) – Director, Producer – Prime Video
- Èwò (Forbidden) (2025) – Director, Producer, Writer – Yoruba film, cinemas Nigeria & Ghana
Awards and Recognition
Mekwunye has earned several notable awards and nominations:
- AMVCA 2015 – Won Best Short Film for Oblivious
- AMVCA 2017 – Won Best Sound Track/Original Score for The Encounter
- Kaduna International Film Festival 2020 – Won Best Director for Light In The Dark
- AMVCA 2022 – Five total nominations including Best Director for Light In The Dark and One Lagos Night
- AFRIFF 2015 – Special Jury Award for Best Short Film for The Encounter
- Cannes International Film Festival 2018 – Lasgidi Vice screened
- Zanzibar International Film Festival 2024 – I Hate Love Stories and Honey Money screened (first Nigerian films at the festival in 10 years)
Mekwunye represents a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers who are building careers that combine artistic integrity with commercial success. His work continues to push boundaries while staying rooted in African storytelling traditions.
