Netflix, Mo Abudu Sign Deal To Produce Prof. Wole Soyinka, Lola Shoneyin Books

Streaming giant, Netflix and Mo Abudu, the founder of Ebony Life TV, have signed a deal that will lead to the screen-adaption of books written by Nigerian novelists, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Lola Shoneyin. Mo Abudu's Ebony Life production outfit is expected to produce the movie and series.

Netflix announced the partnership in a Tweet on its official Twitter account,  @NetflixNaija. The books that will be produced are Lola Shoneyin’s “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” and Prof. Wole Soyinka’s “Death And The King’s Horseman”. These are Nigerian literary classics that were well received across Nigeria and popular among secondary and tertiary schools.

It was learnt that “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” will be produced into series, while the “Death And The King’s Horseman” will be a featured movie - all of which will be available to the about 183 million subscribers of Netflix that are located in about 190 countries. The worth of the deal wasn't revealed.

Is Mo Abudu Worth The Deal?

Mo Abudu, who ventured into feature film production after establishing Ebony Life TV in 2012 following her hit show, 'Moment With Mo' will head the projects. Mo Abudu is credited for some highest-grossing movies. Her featured films, 'The Wedding Party' - which came in two parts - are highest-grossing movies in Nigeria's box office.

EbonyLife Films such as 'Chief Daddy', 'Your Excellency' and 'Fifty' are also among the top 20 highest-grossing movies in Nigeria. This means Mo Abudu's production outfit account for four movies in the top ten highest-grossing movies in Nigeria, with only 'fifty' occupying a spot outside the top ten.

"The Wedding Party I and II' both grossed over N450 million and N430 million respectively. 'Chief Daddy', 'Your Excellency' both generated over N380 million and N180 million each, while 'Fifty' grossed over N80 million.