Ogheneochuko Esiri, also known as Chuko Esiri is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, writer, and producer celebrated for his collaborations with twin brother Arie Esiri on standout projects like Eyimofe (This Is My Desire). Born in 1985, he transitioned from law to cinema, leveraging Nigerian stories and international acclaim.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Ogheneochuko Esiri |
| Date of birth | 1985 |
| Place of birth | Warri, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Delta state |
| Siblings | Twin brother Arie Esiri |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Director, Writer, Producer |
| Net worth | $100,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Chuko Esiri was born in 1985 in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, and grew up in Lagos. He secured an LLB Honours in Law from Newcastle University in England, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting and Directing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program in 2017.
Career
After law school, Chuko Esiri pursued filmmaking by interning at top agencies like The Gersh Agency and Innovative Artists in New York, where he honed industry skills and enrolled in NYU’s Tisch Graduate Film Program.
Back in Nigeria, he produced Julius Onah’s Big Man via Focus Features’ Africa First Program, then co-directed acclaimed shorts Goose (2017, LA Film Festival premiere) and Besida (2018, Berlinale selection) with twin brother Arie.
Their feature debut Eyimofe (2020) garnered international festival acclaim across over 17 countries, including Berlin nominations, while Esiri also penned At Little Wheelie Three Days Ago (2022). A Purple List Winner and IFP Narrative Lab Fellow based in Lagos, he continues elevating Nigerian cinema globally.
Personal Life
Esiri shared a Lagos childhood with twin Arie, marked by their mother’s strict measures like padlocking the TV to foster studies. No confirmed public details exist on a partner or children, with focus remaining on his professional bonds and heritage.
Net Worth
Chuko Esiri’s net worth is estimated at approximately $300,000 to $8000,000, derived from film production, directing, and festival accolades.
Filmography
- Eyimofe (This Is My Desire, 2020) – Director, Writer, Producer
- Goose (2017) – Director, Writer, Producer
- Besida (2018) – Director, Writer, Producer
- Big Man (2012) – Producer
- At Little Wheelie Three Days Ago (2022) – Writer
Awards and Recognitions
Esiri has secured 9 wins and 8 nominations, including a 2021 Blackstar Film Festival Best Feature Narrative for Eyimofe and a 2020 Ciné+ Distribution Support Award at Entrevues Film Festival. Additional nods come from Berlin, Valladolid, and African Movie Academy Awards.
