By Ayo Onikoyi

The release of CHIDERA, a new Nollywood movie produced and directed by veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker Muyideen Oladapo, popularly known as Lala, has provided another platform for his daughter, actress and filmmaker Olamide Oladapo, to showcase her talent while carving her own identity in the Nigerian creative industry.

For Olamide, who grew up surrounded by scripts, actors and storytelling, acting was a natural part of her childhood before it became a deliberate career choice. She said the film CHIDERA will mark a new chapter in her career as it navigates themes of dreams, humanity, family, relationships and the unexpected ways people’s lives intersect.

“I think acting found me before I consciously chose it. Growing up around my father and being exposed to storytelling from a very young age, performance was naturally part of my environment,” she said.

According to her, watching her father and other creatives transform scripts into performances sparked her interest in the profession, but she eventually had to make the decision to pursue acting for herself.

“I would say acting introduced itself to me, but I chose to dedicate my life to it,” she added.

Olamide, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University and an M.Phil. in Theatre and Performance from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, said her international education broadened her understanding of African storytelling.

She explained that her studies exposed her to different approaches to performance, research and filmmaking, while helping her appreciate storytelling as more than entertainment.

“Stories are not just meant to be consumed; they are archives of memory, identity, history and lived experiences. It helped me see Nigerian storytelling from a global perspective while still appreciating its roots,” she said.

The actress, who has featured in productions including Swallow, Ayomi, Layepe, Olori EBi, Atona, Woven, Sundry and the stage production Abandoned, said she remains particularly interested in stories that challenge her emotionally and intellectually.

She described Abandoned, written by Ojo Joshua Miracle, as one of the performances that pushed her considerably as an actor, noting that the role deepened her understanding of empathy.

“As actors, we sometimes judge characters from the outside, but when you step into their experiences, you begin to understand their choices, fears and struggles. It reminds me that everyone carries a story we may not see,” she said.

Beyond acting, Olamide has expanded her career into production, directing and creative entrepreneurship through VisionO2 Creative Studios, which she founded to develop stories with creativity, intention and quality.

“There are so many beautiful stories waiting to be told, and I wanted to contribute to creating work that represents our experiences while also meeting global standards,” she said.

Her involvement in CHIDERA has also brought her closer professionally to her father, with whom she shares a passion for storytelling.

Olamide described the collaboration as an opportunity to combine their different strengths and perspectives while learning from Lala’s extensive experience in the industry.

“He is very professional, dedicated and passionate about his craft. Working together on CHIDERA was a beautiful opportunity to combine our different strengths, experiences and perspectives, especially learning from his wealth of experience as a veteran in the industry,” she said.

She added that the project was not merely about making a movie but also about creating something meaningful and building a family legacy.

“For me, it was not just about making a film; it was about creating something meaningful together and building a legacy. I look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with him in the future,” she said.
Despite their family relationship, Olamide said both of them maintained professionalism on set.

“Once we stepped onto the set, we both understood the responsibility of the work. There were moments when he was my father, but there were also moments when he was the director and I was the actor who had to deliver. We respected the process,” she explained.

She identified managing resources, time and logistics, as well as ensuring that their creative vision translated properly onto the screen, as some of the challenges encountered during the production of CHIDERA.

“I want audiences to enjoy the story, laugh, reflect and also see themselves in the characters,” she said.
While her father’s reputation has undoubtedly given her exposure to the industry, Olamide insisted that she has had to work to establish herself independently.

“Some people may assume that because I come from a filmmaking family and have my father’s influence, everything has been easy for me. While it has been a privilege and a valuable foundation, I have still had to put in the work, learn, unlearn, relearn and build my own identity within the industry,” she said.

“Being someone’s daughter can open a door, but it does not define your journey or sustain your growth.”
Olamide also spoke about the challenges of being a woman in filmmaking, saying she has sometimes had to prove her capabilities repeatedly.

However, she said preparation, confidence, resilience and consistency have helped her navigate the industry.

“Being a woman in this industry has strengthened my determination and pushed me to keep growing. I genuinely embrace challenges and face them head-on because I believe every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, evolve and become better at what I do,” she said.

On the future of Nollywood, Olamide believes Nigerian filmmakers have the talent and stories required to compete globally but need stronger investment, infrastructure, distribution systems and technical development.

She also revealed her dream of producing a futuristic African epic combining science fiction, cultural heritage and social commentary.

“I am interested in exploring what the future could look like from an African perspective: our relationship with technology, identity, environment, power and humanity,” she said.

Looking ahead, Olamide said she hopes to transform VisionO2 Creative Studios into a respected global storytelling brand while continuing to grow as a filmmaker, mentor emerging creatives and contribute to the development of the Nigerian film industry.