Tade Ogidan

**Tade Ogidan** Akintade Ogidan, widely known as Tade Ogidan, is a prominent Nigerian film and television screenwriter, director, producer, and dramatist. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nollywood, known for producing critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. **Early Life and Education** Tade Ogidan was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in July 1960, to middle-class parents, Akinola and Rachael Ogidan. He was raised in Surulere, a busy suburb of Lagos State. For his higher education, Ogidan attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, USA, and also completed a short program at the State University of New York, in Buffalo, New York, USA. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Ogidan began his career working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He spent eight years with the organization as a full-time Producer/Director and Continuity Announcer at NTA Channel 10 and NTA 2 - Channel 5. During his time at NTA, he produced and directed episodes of popular drama series such as *PLAY OF THE WEEK*, *TELE THEATRE*, *LEGAL ANGLE*, and *THE NEW VILLAGE HEADMASTER*. His drama project, *THE REIGN OF ABIKU*, earned several awards at the Nigerian Festival of Television Programmes in 1986. In 1990, Tade Ogidan established his own production company, OGD PICTURES, LTD., where "OGD" is derived from his last name. Through his company, he has written, produced, and directed numerous hit movie projects. His notable filmography includes *Owo Blow* (1995), *Hostages* (1998), *Diamond Ring* (1998), *Out of Bounds* (1997), *Saving Alero* (2001), *Dangerous Twins* (2004), *Aya mi òwòn: Madam Dearest* (2005), *Family on Fire* (2011), and *Gold Statue* (2019). Many of these films are multi-award winners both nationally and internationally. Ogidan is also appreciated for his versatility in directing movies in both English and Yoruba languages. **Other Projects and Major Achievements** Beyond feature films, Ogidan and OGD PICTURES have been active in television and commercial production. They have worked on TV series such as *BEHIND THE SIEGE* (seasons 1 & 2) and *CRIME FIGHTERS*. Additionally, they have produced reality TV shows focusing on entrepreneurship, including *THE INTERN* and *The Next Titan*. Notably, Ogidan produced the first local television commercial to air on CNN. In 2019, he won the Director of the Year award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his work on the film *Gold Statue*. Tade Ogidan is also known for the OGD All Stars Novelty music project and for packaging major live events, such as the 2014 Lagos State Governor's Education Awards, a musical drama featuring over 200 public secondary school pupils and notable Nollywood stars.