Showmax Appoints Opeoluwa Filani As GM, Releases ‘Diiche’, First Nigerian Original Limited Series

African video streaming service, Showmax, has announced the appointment of Opeoluwa Filani as General Manager for its Nigeria operations. 

The appointment is a pivotal one as it makes Filani the first ever General Manager in Nigeria for the streaming app which has continued to expand its presence and investment in the country.

Announcing Filani’s appointment, Yolisa Phahle, the CEO of MultiChoice Connected Video, said,“We’ve witnessed unprecedented growth in our paying subscriber base over the past year, and it’s become even more important to have a dedicated team at the helm of affairs of Showmax in one of our most important markets. Opeoluwa brings many years of relevant experience and a refreshing perspective to business development. His appointment couldn’t have come at a better time as this is a defining period for our business in Nigeria. I am confident that with his experience and vision, Opeoluwa will drive Showmax Nigeria to even greater heights.”

Filani has over 16 years of senior management experience, working in various roles in Sales and Marketing.

Before joining Showmax, he was the Country Sales Director at JCDeaux – a multinational Out-of-Home advertising company, where he led the Sales and Marketing department.

“These are exciting times for the SVoD industry in Africa and Showmax is right at the centre of this emerging sector. Showmax’s commitment to developing a local Nigerian strategy I believe is right for this fast-changing environment and I am happy to be a part of it. I look forward to working with the team and building on the amazing work that has been done over the past couple of years,” said Filani.

In his role as General Manager, Filani will oversee the Showmax Nigeria operations, providing strategic direction and implementing programs to ensure attainment of business growth and profit objectives.

Filani holds an Executive MBA from the Warwick Business School, UK, an MSc in International Marketing Management from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Scotland with certifications from Harvard Business School in Sales and Distribution.

The appointment follows a year that has seen Showmax launch numerous Nigerian originals, including the record-breaking Real Housewives of Lagos and the Afrobeats docu-series, Journey of the Beats, with many more slated in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Showmax, has announced the premiere of Diiche, its first Nigerian original limited series on Thursday, 29 September 2022.

The 6-part psychological thriller, directed by James Omokwe, Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo and Ifeoma Chukwuego, parades a vibrant mix of emerging and established Nollywood acts including Daniel K Daniel, Efa Iwara, Uzoamaka Onuoha, Frank Konwea, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chinyere Wilfred and Gloria Anozie-Young.

Diiche, an A-list actress, becomes a prime suspect in a high-profile murder investigation over the death of Nnamdi, her fiancé.

She must take it upon herself and race against the clock to find out who killed her fiancé and exonerate herself.

However, there is more to the case than meets the eye and a backstory of almost 30 years ago, known only to her mother, that reveals the tussle between good and evil.

Uzoamaka Onuoha takes on the role of Odiiche (‘Diiche’ for short), an emotionally unavailable and selfish starlet with a long trail of failed relationships.

AMVCA 2016 Best Actor winner, Daniel K Daniel, plays Nnamdi, the cunning, calculative and manipulative fiancé of Diiche whose death sets off her emotional rollercoaster. Chinyere Wilfred is Kesaandu, Diiche’s mom. A religious fanatic with an overbearing and controlling personality who tries to cheat fate.

Frank Konwea is Inspector Samuel Kazeem, one of the detectives assigned to the case on the hunt to determine Nnamdi’s killer together with his overzealous recruit, Inspector Ijeoma Anene, played by Uzoamaka Aniunoh.

Commenting on the release of the series, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola described it as an emotionally gripping and thought-provoking drama that features themes Nigerians will relate to.

“We were very intentional about telling stories Nigerians will love and identify with. The story of Diiche is one of fate, culture, beliefs and the battle between good and evil. We believe the story and our stellar production values will draw audiences in. We’ve co-produced with Feemo Vision on this first limited drama series with many more authentic Nigerian productions in the pipeline”, Tejumola said.

Diiche, although the first limited series in Nigeria, is not the first Showmax Nigerian original. It comes on the heels of a strong slate of shows such as I am Laycon, Ghana Jollof and the docu-series, Journey of the Beats.

“We are expanding our investments in local stories by working closely with local talents and capabilities to ensure our identities as Africans are preserved and portrayed the way they should be,” Tejumola added.

“Diichie is a very layered world you’ll dive into and then becomes this thrilling discovery of these amazing characters”, said Tolu Ajayi. “Expect a lot of powerful yet affecting performances and unexpected outcomes. In short, a terrific heart-pounding blend of the modern, mythical and mysterious.”

Diiche premieres Thursday, 29 September 2022 on Showmax.

Across Africa, Showmax has released more than 40 original African series and movies in the last year.

Showmax is also the home of HBO in Africa, streaming blockbuster movies and series including the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.