Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, has recorded another historic milestone as the film “Dear Ajayi” has been selected as Nigeria’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars.
The announcement was made on Sunday, October 4, 2026, with the official promotional poster of the film released by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Academy Awards.
The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Damilola Orimogunje, will now represent Nigeria at the prestigious global awards ceremony slated for 2027 in Los Angeles, United States.
“Dear Ajayi” is a compelling story that explores family, identity, and resilience in contemporary Nigeria. The film has been praised for its strong storytelling, cinematography and powerful performances by its cast.
According to the selection committee, the film was chosen after a rigorous screening process involving several Nigerian films submitted for consideration. The committee said “Dear Ajayi” stood out for its originality, technical excellence and its ability to tell an authentic Nigerian story that resonates with global audiences.
Director Damilola Orimogunje, who has previously directed critically acclaimed films, expressed joy over the selection. He said the nomination is a testament to the hard work of the entire cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring the story to life.
Film enthusiasts and industry stakeholders have taken to social media to celebrate the achievement, describing it as a proud moment for Nollywood and for Nigeria as a whole.
Nollywood, which is the second largest film industry in the world by volume, has been striving for global recognition at the Oscars in recent years. Nigeria made its first ever official submission to the Oscars in 2019 with Genevieve Nnaji’s “Lionheart” but was later disqualified for language reasons. Since then, films like “The Milkmaid” and “Mami Wata” have been submitted.
The selection of “Dear Ajayi” has therefore, rekindled hope that Nigeria may finally clinch its first nomination and possibly win the coveted Best International Feature Film award.
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee said it is confident that “Dear Ajayi” has what it takes to make it to the final shortlist and bring glory to Nigeria.
The film industry in Nigeria has continued to grow with improved production quality, storytelling and international collaborations. In 2026 alone, several Nigerian films have premiered on global streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime and Showmax.
For many young filmmakers, the Oscar submission of “Dear Ajayi” serves as motivation that authentic Nigerian stories can compete on the world stage.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlist for Best International Feature Film in December 2026, with final nominations expected in early 2027.
As Nigerians await the Oscars, many are calling on the government and corporate organizations to support Nollywood with funding, infrastructure and policies that will enable the industry to compete favorably with Hollywood and Bollywood.
With “Dear Ajayi” flying Nigeria’s flag at the Oscars, all eyes will be on Hollywood in March 2027 to see if Nigeria will make history.