By Friday Omosola
Popular Nigerian director and editor, Dimeji Ajibola, has died.
His colleagues announced the news of his death on Sunday.
Actor and film producer Bolanle Ninalowo, Uzee Usman and Shanty Town producer Chinenye Nworah mourned the director’s sudden death on their social media pages.
Nworah wrote: “Goodnight, My brother Dimeji Ajibola. Dimeji, I don’t know what to write” while Ninalowo wrote: “I love you, brother, and I miss you, Dimeji Ajibola. May God heal your family and loved ones. Till we meet again, didi dox, rest on the champ.”
Neither Ninalowo, Nworah, nor others who broke the news disclosed the cause of Ajibola’s death or when he passed away.
Ajibola was the editor of Shanty Town, a popular 2023 Nigerian crime thriller series. He had a career in the film and advertising industry that spanned more than 18 years, during which he excelled in brand promotion and in producing content for advertising, television, and film.
He began his career as an animator and became a beloved figure in the industry, delivering solutions that had been only accessible from international markets.
The late Ajibola was the creative force behind several award-winning TV ads, including iconic MTN Yello animated ads and Coca-Cola TV commercials.
His work on his 2012 movie Hoodrush marked Nigeria’s first urban musical film, which showcased his talent for blending narrative storytelling with vibrant musical elements.
Hoodrush won multiple awards, including Best Movie at the 2012 Green Me Film Festival in Germany, Best Actor and Best Soundtrack at the Nollywood Movies Awards, and Best Supporting Actor at the AMAA Awards.
In 2013, Hoodrush also won Best Supporting Act at the AMAA Awards. His film Ovy’s Voice, which he directed, became the highest-ranked movie on Iroko TV in 2017.
