Nollywood director Ny Nana says she’s not a fan of love stories, choosing bold, reality-driven films that challenge Nigeria’s storytelling traditions

In Nollywood, love, loss, and eventual triumph have long defined the rhythm of cinematic storytelling. But Oghenenyerhovwo Nana, better known as Ny Nana an award-winning film director, producer, and Treasurer of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) is rewriting those rules.

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With a decade-spanning career that evolved from her days as a radio and TV personality to a daring filmmaker, Nana has made a name for herself by rejecting conventional romance-driven plots in favour of bold, thought-provoking narratives.

Her acclaimed works Hypocrites Chair, A Thin Line, and April 1st offer piercing explorations of hypocrisy, power, and the complexities of everyday life.

“I’m not a fan of love stories; I think they are boring,” Nana said candidly. “I like to tell deeper stories.”

She explained that her films tackle layered, uncomfortable realities.
“Hypocrites Chair* is about a therapist who was being abused but was advising her clients to leave their marriages; A Thin Line is about a Christian man manipulating and abusing his wife with Christianity; April 1st is about a prank gone wrong. Those are my type of stories.”

While many filmmakers stick to crowd-pleasing romance plots, Nana’s audience engagement tells a different story.

“Surprisingly, the response has been very encouraging,” she said. “Audiences are more open than many assume; they want to see their real struggles, joys, and questions represented on screen.”

For Nana, impact trumps profit.

“My films often spark debate, and that’s the greatest reward — knowing the work lingers with viewers long after the credits roll. I believe audiences appreciate authenticity, even when it’s unconventional.”

As Nollywood continues to expand its global reach, Ny Nana’s defiance of the genre’s romantic tropes signals a growing appetite for realism and thematic depth.

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Her fearless storytelling places her among a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers pushing the industry toward bolder, more reflective narratives.