Tunde Olaoye is a Nigerian filmmaker, screenwriter and director known for his work on television and major Nollywood productions. He gained wider recognition through his collaborations with Funke Akindele, particularly Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024) and Behind the Scenes (2025).
Olaoye’s career includes directing Married but Living Single, Lugard and Singleness Is Bliss. He also played an important creative role in Jenifa’s Diary, serving as its head writer and director during the first ten seasons.
His journey into filmmaking began with storytelling, theatre and writing. Over the years, he has developed experience across television, stage productions and feature films, working in comedy, drama and historical storytelling.
Tunde Olaoye’s Early Life and Education
Olaoye developed an interest in storytelling from childhood. He has recalled watching his grandmother, a community leader, settle disputes brought to her by different people.
Observing how she listened to opposing sides and helped resolve disagreements introduced him to the elements of conflict, tension and resolution. These experiences influenced his understanding of storytelling.
He participated in drama clubs during his elementary school years. His interest in performance and creative writing eventually led him to study Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin.
At university, he specialised in writing and directing. His education provided a foundation for his work in theatre, television and film.
How Tunde Olaoye Started His Directing Career
Olaoye began developing his directing experience while still at university. In 2001, he directed Octo Rush, an annual stage production used to welcome new students to the university.
The play combined comedy and social commentary to introduce fresh students to campus life. Directing the production gave him an early opportunity to manage performers and translate a written story into a stage performance.
He later entered the entertainment industry through acting and writing before concentrating more fully on directing. His early television experience included work on Sweet Angels, where he directed some scenes.
He subsequently received the opportunity to direct the sitcom Face 2 Face. The programme aired across Nigerian television stations and gave him further experience in directing for a television audience.
Tunde Olaoye and Jenifa’s Diary
One of Olaoye’s most significant television contributions came through Jenifa’s Diary. He served as head writer and director during the series’ first ten seasons.
The comedy series follows Jenifa, a young woman whose distinctive personality, ambitions and approach to everyday situations create humorous experiences. Funke Akindele plays the central character.
Olaoye’s responsibilities involved shaping stories and directing episodes. His experience as a comedy writer helped him understand the character and maintain the show’s humour across different storylines.
Working on the series also established a lasting creative relationship with Akindele. Their collaboration eventually extended from television into feature-film production.
Tunde Olaoye Movies and Directing Career
Olaoye’s filmography includes romantic drama, action, comedy and socially conscious storytelling. His feature-film directing credits include several productions that helped establish his work beyond television.
Married but Living Single
Married but Living Single (2012) is one of Olaoye’s early feature-film directing credits. The romantic drama stars Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin.
The film explores marriage, relationships and the difficulties couples encounter when their expectations and personal priorities differ. Its story established an early connection between Olaoye and Akindele in feature filmmaking.
Lugard
Olaoye directed Lugard (2021), an action drama that explores social issues, including cultism.
The film reflects his interest in using entertainment to examine problems within society. He has explained that visual storytelling should entertain while also encouraging audiences to consider important issues.
Singleness Is Bliss
Singleness Is Bliss is another major directing credit. Released in 2025, the film examines societal expectations surrounding marriage and the experiences of people who remain single.
The production features actors including Jide Kosoko, Sola Sobowale, Bimbo Akintola, Hafiz Oyetoro, Mr Macaroni and Rotimi Salami.
Its subject reflects Olaoye’s interest in stories that explore relationships, social expectations and the choices people make.
Tunde Olaoye and Everybody Loves Jenifa
Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024) marked an important stage in Olaoye’s collaboration with Funke Akindele.
He co-directed the comedy with Akindele, bringing his experience from Jenifa’s Diary into the feature-film version of the franchise.
The film follows Jenifa as she encounters new challenges involving friendship, rivalry and her growing public profile. Its story expands the character’s world while retaining the humour that made the television series popular.
Olaoye described the collaboration as a fulfilling experience. Their previous work together helped them understand each other’s creative approach and responsibilities.
His background as head writer and director of Jenifa’s Diary also gave him familiarity with the central character. This experience helped him contribute to the film’s storytelling and performances.
The film premiered in Nigerian cinemas in December 2024. It became one of the major commercial releases in Nollywood that year and later reached streaming audiences.
Tunde Olaoye and Behind the Scenes
Olaoye reunited with Funke Akindele for Behind the Scenes, released in Nigerian cinemas on December 12, 2025. He co-directed the drama with Akindele, who also produced the film.
The story follows Deronke Faniran, popularly known as Ronky Fella, a successful real estate entrepreneur whose generosity becomes a source of pressure. As people around her increasingly depend on her support, she struggles with the emotional and personal cost of always giving.
Scarlet Gomez plays Deronke, while the cast includes Funke Akindele, Uzor Arukwe, Destiny Etiko, Ini Dima-Okojie and Mr Macaroni.
The film explores family responsibility, generosity, personal boundaries and the expectations placed on successful people. Its emotional direction also differs from the comedy that characterised much of their earlier collaboration.
Olaoye praised Akindele’s preparation and clear creative vision during production. He described their working relationship as one built on familiarity and an understanding of how to translate ideas into scenes.
Their collaboration on Behind the Scenes further strengthened a creative partnership that had developed through television and feature films.
Tunde Olaoye’s Approach to Filmmaking
Olaoye’s directing career covers different genres and production formats. His work includes television sitcoms, romantic dramas, action films, comedies and historical projects.
He has described his approach as a form of visual storytelling that should evoke emotions and encourage social conversations. He also places importance on visual presentation and the different creative departments involved in a production.
His experience as a writer influences his directing. He has explained that writing remains an important part of his work and that he sometimes rewrites scripts when he believes a story needs improvement.
Directing also requires him to coordinate several responsibilities. These include guiding actors, communicating with production departments and ensuring that different creative contributions form a consistent film.
Tunde Olaoye’s Achievements and Career
Olaoye’s career includes several significant milestones. His work on the first ten seasons of Jenifa’s Diary established his contribution to Nigerian television comedy.
His feature-film credits expanded his directing experience, while Everybody Loves Jenifa and Behind the Scenes placed him alongside Funke Akindele on two major Nollywood productions.
He has also directed historical and biographical projects, including Last Man Standing and Yahaya the White Lion. These projects reflect his interest in stories about notable people and historical experiences.
Beyond directing, Olaoye continues to write and contribute to creative development. He has also expressed interest in supporting aspiring filmmakers through training opportunities and developing international collaborations.
Conclusion
Tunde Olaoye has built a filmmaking career through theatre, television writing and directing, and feature-film production. His work on Jenifa’s Diary established a lasting creative relationship with Funke Akindele, while films such as Married but Living Single, Lugard and Singleness Is Bliss expanded his directing experience.
His co-directing roles on Everybody Loves Jenifa and Behind the Scenes represent important stages in that journey. Across comedy, drama and historical storytelling, Olaoye continues to work as a filmmaker interested in stories that entertain and encourage social reflection.
