Jude Idada is a Nigerian actor, poet, playwright, producer, director, and author renowned for his multifaceted contributions to film, theater, and literature. He first gained widespread prominence as the writer and producer of the feature film The Tenant (2008), which earned him the Best Screenplay award at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Based in Toronto, where he serves as Artistic Director of the Africa Theatre Ensemble, Idada has produced and penned numerous short films, stage plays, short story collections, and children’s books, including the award-winning Boom Boom and Oduduwa – King of the Edos.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Jude Idada |
| Date of Birth | N/A |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Edo State |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actor, Poet, Playwright, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Author |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Jude Idada was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. A pure science student in high school with no arts background, he first applied to study medicine at university. He switched to agricultural economics but dropped out after a few semesters, taking a nine-month break at home. Idada then gained admission to the University of Ibadan, where he earned his first degree in theater arts.
Career
After graduating, Idada worked at Guardian Express Bank—a position he secured as a corps member—before moving to Arthur Andersen. He later immigrated to Canada, completed postgraduate studies, and held roles in banks and telecommunications firms. Inspired by watching a short film with friends, he resigned to focus on writing and film production.
Idada was selected as a screenwriter for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Adapt This! and the Afrinolly/Ford Foundation Cinema4Change projects. He also participated in the inaugural Relativity Media/AFRIFF Filmmaking project.
As Artistic Director of the Africa Theatre Ensemble in Toronto, Canada, Idada has authored stage plays including Flood, Brixton Stories, Lost and Coma, and 3some. His published works include short story collections A Box of Chocolates and Exotica Celestica; stage plays he wrote and directed such as Oduduwa – King of the Edos and By My Own Hands; and a children’s book, Didi Kanu and the Singing Dwarfs of the North.
Idada serves as an acting coach, training thespians in stage and film techniques. He has guest lectured for the African Theatre Ensemble in Canada, the Mofilm/Unilever Sunlight Foundation Film Project in Nigeria, and the AIDS Foundation in Guyana. Additionally, he has chaired panels at international film festivals and contributed articles to various magazines.
Personal Life
Jude Idada maintains a private personal life, with limited public details available beyond his professional achievements. He is of Edo heritage, having been born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, before immigrating to Canada. No confirmed information exists on his marital status, spouse, children, or immediate family in available records.
Public social media posts occasionally reference family indirectly, such as tributes to loved ones who have passed, but these do not detail his own household or relationships. Idada appears to prioritize his creative work over sharing personal milestones.
Net Worth
Jude Idada’s net worth is estimated to be around the range of $500,000 to $1 million, reflecting earnings from award-winning films like Kofa and The Tenant, literary prizes, and production work across Nollywood and international projects.
Filmography
Jude Idada has an extensive filmography spanning writing, directing, and producing roles across feature films, short films, and TV series. Below is a compiled list organized by category.
Feature Films (Writer/Producer/Director)
| Title | Year | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Kofa | 2022 | Director, Producer |
| Queen of the Night | 2021 | Writer, Producer |
| The Tenant | 2008 | Writer, Producer |
| Coma | 2012 | Writer |
| Sunshine | 2013 | Writer |
| Simi | 2016 | Writer |
| Tatu | 2016 | Writer |
| The River | 2015 | Writer |
Short Films and Documentaries (Writer/Director/Producer)
- Chameleon (2016) – Writer/Director
- Blaze Up The Ghetto (2010, Documentary) – Director
- Inside (2000) – Director/Producer
- The Woman in my Closet (1999) – Director/Producer
- Young Wise Fools (1999) – Director/Producer
- The Road (2014) – Writer
- Justice (2014) – Writer
TV Series and Additional Screenplays
- House Girls (TV Series, 2015) – Writer
- Driving Mr Akin (2015) – Writer
- Doctor Death (2014) – Writer
Additional screenplays include Journeys of One (2011), Lagos Connection (2011), Afreeka (2010), The Drum (2010), Sex in the Age of Innocence (2009), No More An Uncle Tom (2009), The Dilemma (2008), and several optioned projects like Ghetto Red Hot (2007) and Mirage (2006).
Awards and Recognitions
Jude Idada has received numerous accolades for his work in film, literature, and theater, highlighting his contributions across creative fields.
Film Awards
2023 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): Best Film by an African Director Living in the Diaspora (Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award) for Kofa.
• 2022 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF): Best Film for Kofa.
• 2022 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF): Best Screenplay for Kofa.
• 2010 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): Best Screenplay for The Tenant.
• 2010 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): Best Picture nomination for The Tenant.
• 2010 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): Best Director nomination for The Tenant.
Literature Awards
- 2019: Nigeria Prize for Literature (Children’s Novel) – Boom Boom – Won
- 2013: Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)/NDDC Award – Best Drama – Oduduwa, King of the Edos – Won
- 2014: Nigeria Prize for Literature – Use of Literature – Oduduwa, King of the Edos – Nominated
Additional recognitions include selections for high-profile projects like TIFF’s Adapt This! and AMAA’s Best Film by an African in the Diaspora.
