Bolanle Austen-Peters, born on February 4,1969 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, has always been destined for greatness. Her parents, Emmanuel Afe Babalola SAN and Mrs. Bisi Babalola, a retired Major, instilled the virtues of hard work in her from an early age. Bolanle studied Law at the University of Lagos, before going on to acquire a Masters degree from one of the most prestigious universities in London – School of Economics and Political Science. This built a solid foundation for her as she ventured into the field of law in the 1990s, when she worked as a lawyer in Afe Babalola and Co Barristers and Solicitors and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland.
But Bolanle’s true love was outside the confines of law. She launched Terra Kulture in 2003; a one of its kind cultural center located on Tiamiyu Savage Street, Lagos. Terra Kulture which, aside from being an art venue, serves as a very strong repository of Nigerian heritage; with its restaurant, art gallery/auction house and bookstore, a Language School and Theatre for exhibitions or film production with studio facilities all under one roof. Also, an Academy for the study of art. Notably, The Arena is the first privately owned theater in Nigeria – a confirmation of Bolanle’s enterprising skill and cultural conservation prowess.
In 2013, Bolanle Austen-Peters broke new ground on the other side of creativity with the establishment of Bolanle Austen- Peters Productions (BAP Productions). It is this desire to narrate an alternate voice that drove her into forming a production company, centered around telling the stories of Africa and portraying women in different lights.
BAP Productions started with a bang, enjoying the success of its debut production “Saro, The Musical” which premiered in Lagos before traveling to London’s West End where it impressed audiences in 2016. The narrative of four young men making the journey to Lagos for their dreams in “Saro” resonated and lived on deeply within many.
That same year, Bolanle directed “Wakaa,” a musical centered around college graduates and their futures. It became the first Nigerian musical to hit London’s West End and sold out shows at Shaw Theatre. In 2017 she continued to push boundaries with “Fela and The Kalakuta Queens,” a musical based on the life of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and the women integral to his band. This production toured Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa with a Viewing Audience of over 120,000 fans.
Bolanle is a significant figure in the film industry as well. In 2015, she produced the award winning “93 Days” on Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. The movie premiered in Lagos and made the rounds at a few international film festivals, including The Toronto International Film Festival and the Chicago Film Festival. The list of awards ”93 Days” has gotten is quite long and the nominations are even longer, we can say that all of these solidifies Bolanle’s reputation as a formidable filmmaker.
She showed her directorial expertise in movies too as she was the director of the 2019 film “Bling Lagosians,” which explores the intricate complexities of a wealthy Lagos family. it had an all-star cast, and it was both a critical success and box office hit.
Bolanle also directed “Collision Course” a movie about an encounter between a law enforcement officer and up-coming musician in Nigeria, released 2020. The movie won the Best Movie (West Africa) category at Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards; it also got nominated for other awards as well. This aired on Netflix, thus extending Bolanle´s reach in the world of cinema globally.
Her 2021 film “Man of God” tells the story of a man caught between religious expectations and personal beliefs. Produced for Netflix, it quickly became the platform’s most-viewed movie of the month. This success further proves Bolanle’s storytelling prowess.
In 2022 Bolanle directed “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.” The film is a biopic about the pioneering Nigerian activist. It won awards for Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay. It also became the highest-grossing biopic in West Africa. Featuring acclaimed acts such as Joke Silva and Kehinde Bankole, the movie speaks to Bolanle’s ability to bring powerful stories to life.
Have you heard about House of Ga’a? Another movie directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, further depicting her “House of Ga’a” captures viewers’ attention from the first shot to the last credit.
Austen-Peters infuses the historical epic with subtle depth, blending dramatic moments with fast-paced action. The story presents a compelling portrait of Bashorun Gaa’s complex personality, weaving a tale of ambition, power, and inevitable consequences.
Bolanle Austen-Peters is a visionary cultural custodian. An inspirational figure whose work has reshaped the narrative of African arts and culture. Through Terra Kulture and BAP Productions, she has elevated Nigerian stories to the global stage, inspiring countless individuals along the way. Her journey from law to the arts exemplifies the power of following one’s passion. Her contributions continue to resonate. Making her an unsung hero of our time.
