Obi Emelonye ranks among Africa’s premier filmmakers, celebrated for pioneering cinematic advancements and compelling narratives. Born on March 24, 1967, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, he has forged a remarkable career across more than two decades as a director, producer, screenwriter, and educator, primarily based in London since the 1990s.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Obi Emelonye |
| Date of Birth | 24 March 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Port Harcourt, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Rivers State |
| Partner | Amaka Emelonye (m. 2003/2005) |
| Children | Three (2 sons, 1 daughter) |
| Occupations | Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Educator |
| Net Worth | $1-2 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Growing up in Port Harcourt, Emelonye secured a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Upon moving to the UK, he earned an LLB from the University of Wolverhampton for professional security, followed by a PhD in film from Goldsmiths, University of London, where he holds fellowship status.
Career
After practicing law in London from 2003 to 2006, Emelonye pursued filmmaking for deeper creative satisfaction beyond steady earnings. Key milestones include The Mirror Boy in 2011 and Last Flight to Abuja in 2012, the first Nigerian production to surpass major Hollywood box office earnings domestically.
Recent successes encompass Black Mail in 2022 with extensive UK theatrical rollout, Heart 2 Heart in 2020 crafted entirely via Zoom amid the COVID-19 crisis, and Out of Breath in 2024, a sweeping Igbo epic. He teaches film at the University of Huddersfield and founded the Chelsea Film Academy.
Personal Life
Emelonye encountered his wife Amaka on the set of Fire Dancer in 2001; they wed customarily in 2003 and religiously in 2005, marking 20 years together in 2023. They raise three children—two sons and one daughter—in London, fostering bicultural perspectives.
Emeka Emelonye Net Worth
Estimates value his wealth at $1-2 million USD, drawn from blockbuster releases, streaming partnerships including Netflix, and academic initiatives.
Filmography
Notable directorial credits feature:
- Out of Breath (2024)
- Safari (2024)
- Money Miss Road (2022)
- Black Mail (2022)
- Badamasi (2021)
- Heart 2 Heart (2020)
- Onye Ozi (The Messenger) (2013)
- Last Flight to Abuja (2012)
- The Mirror Boy (2011)
Awards and Nominations
Highlights include the 2021 AMAA Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Black Mail, 2022 BUFF Lifetime Achievement honor, and 2024 Abuja International Film Festival accolades for Safari. He earned a 2023 AMVCA Best Director nomination.
