Netflix partners Mo Abudu in groundbreaking deal

Netflix on Friday, June 12, 2020 announced that it has signed a deal with film producer and media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu.

“We’ve got MAJOR news for you today! Netflix has partnered with acclaimed producer @MoAbudu to bring you two of Nigeria’s most beloved literary classics to screens around the world!” one of the tweets read.

The America streaming giant announced the historic transaction via its verified Twitter handle, saying the partnership will see on-screen adaptations of literary works by two award-winning Nigerian authors, Wole Soyinka and Lola Shoneyin.

Lola Shoneyin’s debut novel, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives,” will be developed into a series, and Soyinka’s play, “Death and the King’s Horseman,” will be adapted into a film.

According to Netflix, MoAbudu, who owns a movie production company, EbonyLife TV, will work with the team at Netflix to produce the two new Nigerian originals plus licensed films and a series.

Mo Abudu wrote on Instagram, “It truly is time to tell our stories and I am super pleased that we have an opportunity to do this now in partnership with the world’s leading internet entertainment service with 183 million paid members in over 190 countries. We really are truly changing the narrative and I am so grateful.

“The deal signed by EbonyLife with Netflix is unprecedented and groundbreaking on our continent. We will over the next few years produce two major IP titles – “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” by the super talented writer, Lola Shoneyin and “Death and the King’s Horseman” by Africa’s first Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.”

Commenting, Prof Soyinka said: “In a creative industry which, even in pioneering countries, is so male dominated, it is always a delight to see robust challenges offered by the female gender, and of attestable quality.

“Mo Abudu’s incursion into this arena as film and television producer has been especially stimulating. It becomes part of one’s sense of achievement, if one has contributed, however minutely, to the creation of an enabling environment.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has congratulated media entrepreneur and filmmaker Mo Abudu over her partnership with Netflix.

According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the partnership has added another feather to Mo Abudu’s already well-adorned creative cap.

In a statement in Abuja, Mohammed described the deal as a big boost for the country’s Creative Industry at a time the industry is reeling from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Coming after Netflix’s first Nigeria original film, Lionheart, this is a great recognition of the immense creative talents that abound in Nigeria and the provision of a global platform for Nigeria storytelling,’’ Mohammed said.

He expressed hope that this partnership will signal the beginning of a bigger, mutually beneficial working relationship between the streaming service and Nigeria’s Creative industry.