Nollywood Filmmakers Who Mastered the Triple Role: Producer, Director, & Actor

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Nollywood has always been a hub of bold ideas, fearless experimentation, and unrelenting creativity. But beyond the big screens and streaming platforms lies a group of filmmakers who stretch the limits of storytelling by wearing not just one but three hats: producing, directing, and acting in the same project.

This rare feat is more than a career flex. It’s an ultimate test of vision, endurance, and storytelling mastery. From managing budgets and schedules to shaping narratives and still delivering powerful on-screen performances, these multifaceted creators have shown that versatility can lead to both artistic brilliance and commercial success.

And the results speak for themselves: award-winning films, international acclaim, and record-breaking box office figures.

Here are Nollywood’s most iconic triple role achievers.

 

Kunle Afolayan

In 2009, Kunle Afolayan made history with The Figurine, in which he served as producer, director, and actor. The supernatural thriller not only won five Africa Movie Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director) but also set a new standard for polished storytelling in Nollywood.

He pulled off the triple act again in 2014 with October 1, a gripping period thriller that grossed over ₦100 million and won multiple awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Actor at the African International Film Festival.

 

Genevieve Nnaji

Beloved actress Genevieve Nnaji transitioned from screen darling to history-maker with her directorial debut, Lionheart (2018). She wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy-drama about a woman navigating the Nigerian transport industry.

The film was acquired by Netflix, becoming the first Nigerian Netflix Original, and also Nigeria’s first-ever submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature category. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and remains a milestone for Nollywood’s global visibility.

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Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele is one of the most consistently successful Nollywood filmmakers. Known for her blend of humour and relatable storytelling, Akindele has mastered producing, directing, and starring in blockbuster films.

Her streak began with Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020), where she co-directed, produced, and played dual lead roles, grossing ₦636 million to become Nigeria’s highest-grossing film at the time.

She went further with Battle on Buka Street (2022), breaking her record with ₦668 million. Then came A Tribe Called Judah (2023) and Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024), both of which smashed box office records with a combined haul of over ₦1.4 billion.

Funke Akindele stands today as Nollywood’s undisputed queen of the triple role.

These filmmakers have demonstrated that adaptability is not merely a diversion but a strategic advantage in Nollywood. By combining business acumen, creative vision, and acting talent, they’ve delivered stories that resonate locally and globally.

Their hat-trick legacy proves one thing: in Nollywood, the bravest storytellers often wear the most hats.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What does the “hat-trick hat” mean in Nollywood?

The term “hat-trick hat” describes Nollywood filmmakers who simultaneously assume the roles of producer, director, and actor in a single film.

Q2: Who was the first Nollywood filmmaker to achieve this feat?

Kunle Afolayan is widely regarded as one of the first to balance the triple role with The Figurine in 2009.

Q3: Which Nollywood filmmaker has the most “hat-trick” projects?

Funke Akindele currently holds that record, with multiple films including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

Q4: Did Genevieve Nnaji act, direct, and produce Lionheart?

Yes. In Lionheart, Genevieve made her debut not only as a director and producer but also as the lead role, making her one of the few Nollywood stars to achieve this feat.

Q5: Why is the triple role important in Nollywood?

It showcases versatility, strengthens creative control, and often results in more cohesive films that reflect the filmmaker’s complete vision.