Oreoluwa Racheal Awolowo, widely known as Nora Awolowo, is one of Nollywood’s most talented and innovative filmmakers. At just 26 years old, she made history as the youngest Nigerian filmmaker to surpass ₦100 million at the box office with her debut feature film Red Circle in July 2025. This remarkable milestone has firmly established her as a pioneering figure in the Nigerian film industry, representing a fresh wave of storytellers transforming African cinema.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Oreoluwa Racheal Awolowo |
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Lagos State |
| Partner | Single / Not publicly known |
| Children | None |
| Occupations | Film Director, Cinematographer, Documentary Photographer, Producer, Creative Director |
| Net Worth | Approximately $300,000 |
Early Life and Education
Nora was born on March 2, 1999, in Lagos State, Nigeria, where she grew up and attended both primary and secondary school. Lagos, being the heart of Nigeria’s entertainment and cultural scene, played a significant role in shaping her creative outlook.
She later enrolled at Ekiti State University to study Accounting. However, during an ASUU strike in her second year, she discovered her passion for visual storytelling. What started as a way to pass time during the strike quickly evolved into a deep interest in filmmaking.
Despite completing her degree with a second-class upper division in 2019, her heart was set on pursuing a career in film.
Career
Nora’s filmmaking journey began in an unconventional way during the ASUU strike when she started exploring mobile phone photography.
Her curiosity and eagerness to learn led her from photography to cinematography. She credits her tendency to get bored easily as a driving force behind her constant pursuit of new creative challenges.
She entered Nollywood through social media, especially Twitter, where she connected with industry professionals.
Initially working as a photographer, she gradually transitioned into video production and editing. One of her early projects was documenting actress Lota Chukwu’s food show Lota Takes.
In 2019, at just 20 years old, Nora founded Rixel Studios, her own production company, committing to producing at least one personal project annually. Her filmmaking style is collaborative and focused on authentic storytelling.
She first gained recognition through documentaries, with her 2019 short documentary Life at the Bay being selected for the Africa International Film Festival. She continued to build her reputation with impactful documentaries such as:
- Baby Blues: The Trials of Childbirth (2022), a 74-minute film addressing maternal mental health in Nigeria
- Nigeria: The Debut (2023), which won Best Documentary at the AMVCA
- Shine (2024), a football documentary capturing the passion of fans across Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana
Nora has also established herself as a skilled cinematographer, working on projects like The Order of Things and the Lisabi films. Her distinctive visual style has made her highly sought after in Nollywood.
Her landmark achievement came in 2025 with Red Circle, a crime thriller she co-produced and shot as cinematographer.
Released on June 6, 2025, the film earned ₦33.8 million in its opening weekend, ₦74.5 million by the second week, and surpassed ₦101.8 million by the third week, making her the youngest Nigerian filmmaker to cross the ₦100 million box office milestone.
Directed by Akay Mason and written by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, Red Circle stars Folu Storms, Tobi Bakre, Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, Ibrahim Suleiman, Femi Branch, and Bukky Wright. The story follows investigative journalist Fikayo Holloway as she uncovers a dangerous criminal syndicate.
Personal Life
Nora keeps her personal life private. She is currently single and has no children. Although she shares the Awolowo surname, famously associated with Nigeria’s late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, there is no publicly confirmed family connection.
She describes her upbringing as lively and full of drama, which may have inspired her storytelling abilities. Details about her family and siblings remain largely undisclosed.
Nora Awolowo Net Worth
Nora Awolowo’s net worth is estimated at around $300,000. Her earnings come from various sources including:
- Film production and directing
- Cinematography
- Documentary filmmaking
- Commercial collaborations with brands like Guinness, Canon, FIFA, and Disney x NatGeo
- Revenue from her company, Rixel Studios
Her financial success at a young age highlights both her creative talent and business savvy.
Filmography
Documentaries:
- Life at the Bay (2019) – Director/Producer
- Baby Blues: The Trials of Childbirth (2022) – Director/Producer
- Nigeria: The Debut (2023) – Director/Producer
- All Lives Matter (2023) – Director/Producer
- Football 4 All (2023) – Director
- Shine (2024) – Director/Producer
Short Films:
- Symphonies (2019) – Director
- David (2021) – Director/Producer
- What Are You Truly Afraid Of? (2024) – Director/Cinematographer
Feature Films:
- The Order of Things (2022) – Cinematographer
- Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) – Cinematographer
- Red Circle (2025) – Producer/Cinematographer
Awards and Recognitions
- 2019: Won Best Media and Communications Person at 25 Under 25 SME Awards
- 2020: Nominated for The Future Awards Africa, Prize for Film
- 2023: Won Best Documentary at AMVCA for Nigeria: The Debut; nominated for Best Documentary for Baby Blues; nominated again for The Future Awards Africa
- 2025: Honored by Canon Africa for Visual Storytelling Excellence; received dual nominations at AMVCA11
Nora Awolowo’s record-breaking success with Red Circle has cemented her place as a leading force in Nollywood, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers across Africa through her creativity, determination, and groundbreaking achievements.
