Nwakaego Boyo studied Theatre Arts at the University of Benin and has worked extensively in the creative art industries in Nigeria for over 20 years.
She made her professional debut as Anne Haastrope in the soap opera ‘Checkmate’ which ran for five years on the NTA Network Service.
She is the Managing Director/ CEO of Temple Productions Limited and has worked on various video film productions, corporate promotional film making, documentaries and television Series. Her feature film credits include Producer on Violated, Keeping Faith, 30 Days, A Hotel Called Memory and her recent project – The Ghost And The House Of Truth. In addition, she has made advocacy films, Short films, Documentaries and TV adverts for various clients. Boyo has an interest in telling historical stories; she’s presently working on a number of projects to actualize her ideas.
She is a Director at the Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School Ikoyi, which offers the highest quality British preparatory education in Nigeria. She is a member of the International Women’s Society (IWS) an organization aimed at fostering international understanding and supporting the less privileged children, youth and women in the society. She is a past president of the International Women’s Society (IWS), founder of Tempio Media Advocacy Foundation and on the Advisory board of Oando Foundation.
Boyo is a proud member of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and was appointed as its cultural ambassador in 2013. She is also a member of the Nollywood Entertainment Business Group NEBG.
Ego grew up in Enugu for three years and then moved to Lagos in the late 70’s. For her, it was a wonderful idyllic childhood. “My parents were very wonderful, loving, protective and firm but we had the best childhood.” She says. As children, they were exposed to great music, art, films, reading extensively, and travel. Ego’s father loved engaging the children in great dinner conversations so from an early age, their opinions and having their point of view as children was encouraged.
Her memory of Lagos in her early years was captured in her words when she says “Lagos was a safe place then for a child. I rode my bike to my friends’ homes without any fear whatsoever. My parents were also professionals who instilled in us a strong work ethic, good Christian morals.”
Much of what Ego was exposed to and learned from her parents is how she has lived, and has shaped every aspect of her life, and that has also helped her in her business and professional life.
Read also: MARY NJOKU, projecting Nollywood further with outstanding collaborations and enriched content
Being in the industry for 20 years and counting, Ego surely had her experiences. She tells me that those experiences have included ups and downs but it inspired major growth for her both personally and professionally. In her words, “it has taught me a great deal about working with all kinds of people, working through challenges, having a clear focus and drive, being clear on my vision and always striving to do better, and of course evolving as the industry has itself evolved.” Says Ego.
On her professional and personal challenges, hear what she has to say. “Professionally, my challenge is ensuring that individuals, organizations and government start to really take the creative industries and its professionals seriously. A lot simply pay lip service to it and do not try to understand our challenges, offer or create tailor made products, services or policies to assist us in growing our businesses.” She says
As such, Boyo says it is incredibly frustrating that the environment is so hard to operate a business successfully regardless of drive or focus. According to her, “The cost of making films in Nigeria is high in terms of cost, but also because of the challenges one faces. Professionalism within the industry is also a huge challenge.” Boyo explains.
Sharing on Temple productions, she says “We do Feature films, advocacy films, documentaries and advertisements. We produced Keeping faith, 30 days, A Hotel Called Memory and our latest one called The Ghost and the house of truth.” Ego narrates.
The Ghost And The House Of Truth (TGTHT) is Temple Productions’ latest Film, a highly anticipated Drama set in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Film, which had its World Premiere in New York as part of the Urban World Film Festival, on the 20th of September 2019, won the award for Best Narrative Feature World Cinema.
Directed by the award winning Akin Omotoso and produced by Ego Boyo. TGTHT is a second collaboration for the two, after the success of their award winning experimental film A Hotel Called Memory.
It solidifies their intent on making films with a purpose and a message. Films which delve into the socio cultural issues plaguing society and creating opportunities for continued dialogue and reform. This Film highlights our society’s basic requirement for more effective law enforcement, judicial profiling, and compiling data that can be shared across agencies and institutions.
TGHT is set to Premiere in Lagos at the 9th Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) on the 15th of November 2019 as the closing Film of the acclaimed festival.
It tells a story of the streets and the working class. Bola Ogun is a single mother of a ten year old (Nike) and a counsellor, Bola Ogun’s child goes missing.
In her desperate search for her daughter, Bola’s belief in forgiveness and redemption is tested. Then, the police gets involved and a dedicated police woman who understands the many challenges of the police force takes on the case personally.
Through the eyes of these women, the film highlights child endangerment, sexual violence against children, lack of adequate data and resources, disenfranchisement, and the repercussions of frustrations borne out of mistrust of law enforcement, injustice and violence.
Bola’s narrative is that of an ordinary Nigerian, a real woman with different phases to her character and an end that leaves one torn between empathy and justice.
It stars Susan Wokoma (BAFTA breakthrough Brit winner), Kate Henshaw (multiple award-winning actress), Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju (Africa Magic trailblazer award winner) and Fabian Lojede.
Supporting actors include Uzo Ozimkpa, Toyin Oshinaike, Seun Ajayi, Tope Tedela, Chioma ‘Chigurl’ Omeruah, Keira Heywatch, Oludara Egerton – Shyngle and an outstanding cast of child actors.
Sharing on the way forward in Nollywood, Ego says “Nollywood is one of the major producers of films in the world however, the films are usually mass produced films with questionable production values. In the last few years, a lot more effort has been made to ensure the production values are high.
We are getting there but in my opinion, we need to hone our skills and make films with depth, choose themes that resonate but have a message, and stop focus
