In its 96-year existence, the Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, has established itself as one of the highest awards for artistic and technical excellence in global film and television.
In recent years, some big Nollywood players, such as Funke Akindele, Jade Osiberu, Kunle Afolayan, Daniel K. Daniel and Blessing Egbe, have been invited by the academy to become voting members.
As we near the 2025 Oscars, which will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, here’s a complete list of all Nigerians and individuals of Nigerian descent who have ever been nominated for an Oscar (None have won yet).
Nigerians Who Have Been Nominated For An Oscar
1. Cynthia Erivo
Total nominations: 3
Category and Year:
- Best Actress (2020) – Harriet (Rene Zellweger won for Judy)
- Best Original Song (2020) – “Stand Up” (Harriet) (Elton John and Bernie Taupin won for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again)
- Best Actress (2025) – Wicked (TBA)
Oscar fact: If Cynthia Erivo wins Best Actress for her performance as Elphaba in the movie musical Wicked, she will be the first Nigerian to EGOT (win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony).
2. Remi Adefarasin
Total nominations: 1
Category and Year:
- Best Cinematography (1999) – Elizabeth (Janusz Kaminski won for Saving Private Ryan)
Oscar fact: In 1999, Remi Adefarasin became the first black person to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
3. Sophie Okonedo
Total nominations: 1
Category and Year:
- Best Supporting Actress (2005) – Hotel Rwanda (Cate Blanchett won for The Aviator)
Oscar fact: Though she didn’t win an Oscar for Hotel Rwanda, Sophie Okonedo won a British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) for the same performance. She is also the first Nigerian woman to have been nominated for an Oscar.
4. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Total nominations: 1
Category and Year:
- Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (2014) – 12 Years A Slave (Matthew McConaughey won for Dallas Buyers Club)
Oscar fact: Chiwetel Ejiofor won a British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA) for the same role, beating out Leonardo Dicaprio for Wolf of Wall Street and Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips.
5. Tems
Total nominations: 1
Category and Year:
- Best Original Song (2023) – “Lift Me Up” (“Naatu Naatu” from the movie RRR won)
Oscar fact: “Lift Me Up” earned Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, her first Oscar nomination. She was nominated alongside Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, and Rihanna, who performed the song for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
6. Misan Harriman
Total nominations: 1
Category and Year:
- Best Live Action Short Film (2023) – The After (Wes Anderson and Steven Rales won for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar)
Oscar fact: The After is Misan Harriman’s debut film as writer-director. The British-Nigerian is best known for his work as a photographer, becoming the first black man to shoot a cover of British Vogue in the magazine’s 104-year history
Nigerian Movies Submitted for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ Oscar
1. Lionheart (2019)
Director: Genevieve Nnaji
Synopsis: Adaeze (Genevieve Nnaji), a business-savvy young woman steps in to help her father’s struggling bus company. As she works to save the business and prove herself, she discovers her own strength and resilience.
Status: Disqualified
Oscar fact: In 2019, Lionheart became Nigeria’s first submission for the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. However, it was disqualified because the majority of the film’s dialogue was in English, not an indigenous Nigerian language. The year after the disqualification, the Academy chose to start accepting films in Pidgin-English.
2. The Milkmaid (2020)
Director: Desmond Ovbiagele
Synopsis: The film follows Aisha (Anthonieta Kalunta), a young Fulani milkmaid who lives in rural Nigeria. When her sister (Maryam Booth) is kidnapped by insurgents, Aisha sets out on a dangerous mission to rescue her. This moving film sheds light on the experiences of women living in conflict zones.
Status: Not nominated
Oscar fact: Written and produced by Desmond Ovbiagele, it was the first Hausa-language film submitted for the Oscar consideration.
Watch The Milkmaid on Prime Video.
3. Mami Wata (2023)
Director: C.J. “Fiery” Obasi
Synopsis: This film is inspired by the ancient myth Mami Wata, a water spirit revered for her beauty and mystical powers. It blends fantasy, drama and cultural heritage to offer a fresh perspective on spirituality, identity and the struggle between tradition and modernity.
Status: Not nominated
Oscar fact: At the Sundance Film Festival, Mami Wata won the Special Jury Prize in the World Dramatic Competition for its cinematography, making it the first Nollywood film to win a major prize at the festival.
4. Mai Martaba (2025)
Director: Prince Daniel Aboki
Synopsis: The story unfolds in an ancient kingdom that once thrived on a prosperous trans-Saharan trade. But everything comes crashing down after a brutal power struggle within the Agadashawa ruling clan. Female leadership, forbidden love, unchecked greed, political war, and betrayal — all play out in a world teetering on the edge of ruin.
Status: Not nominated
Oscar fact: After Mai Martaba didn’t make the list of nominated films for Best International Feature Film, critics cited a lack of campaign budget. Many films submitted in the category are typically advertised or elevated on platforms where Oscar voters might see them.
Nigerians Who Are Voting Members of the Academy Awards
As of February 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has invited several Nigerian actors and filmmakers to join as voting members.
2018
1. Femi Odugbemi
Femi Odugbemi is a renowned filmmaker and producer, known for films ike Battleground and Covenant.
2. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is one of Nollywood’s most acclaimed actresses with a career spanning over two decades.
2021
1. Andrew Dosunmu
Andrew Dosunmu is a Nigerian photographer and filmmaker who’s known for his artistic visual style. He’s best known for his acclaimed drama, Mother of George.
2. Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu is a media mogul and founder of EbonyLife Media, a company that’s responsible for producing films like Oloture, The Wedding Party and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
3. Ramsey Nouah
Ramsey Nouah is a veteran actor and director, celebrated for his roles in numerous films such as The Figurine and Living In Bondage: Breaking Free.
2022
1. Blessing Egbe
Blessing Egbe is a director celebrated for films such as African Messiah and Iquo’s Journal.
2. Daniel K. Daniel
Daniel K. Daniel is an actor who’s known for his roles in The Fugitive and A Soldier’s Story.
3. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is an actress, director and producer, most recognised for her Jenifa and Omo Ghetto franchises.
2023
1. C.J. “Fiery” Obasi
C.J. Obasi is an independent filmmaker and director of the Sundance award-winning film Mami Wata.
2. Jade Osiberu
Jade Osiberu is a producer and director, best known for films like Gangs of Lagos and Brotherhood.
3. Kunle Afolayan
Kunle Afolayan is a celebrated filmmaker, popularly known for his Anikulapo film and series, The Figurine and other films that defined the new age of Nollywood.
4. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD)
RMD is a veteran actor with a prolific career in Nigerian cinema.
5. Shola Dada
An award-winning film writer on films such as Man of God, The Bridge and Anikulapo.
