Hadizat Ibrahim has spent 20 years plus shaping Nigeria’s film and TV industry. She started on radio in 2004, moved into television in 2014, and has since produced hit shows like Tinsel, The Real Housewives of Lagos, and The Voice Nigeria. In 2020, she founded March 31 Media (M31M), which has gone on to create award-nominated content, including All Mine, The Playbook, The Counsellor, and The IraborsForever After.
One of her latest projects, “All Mine,” has been nominated for Best Scripted M-Net Original at AMVCA 2025. This follows last year’s Best Unscripted M-Net Original nomination and her recognition as Best Producer Africa 2024 (TINFF). Beyond her success in production, Hadizat is committed to mentorship and has just re-launched her “Fundamentals of Production” course to help young filmmakers learn the basics of the industry.
We spoke with Hadizat about her latest nomination, the impact of her course, and how she’s helping the next generation of filmmakers succeed.
Congratulations on your AMVCA 2025 nomination! How does it feel to have “All Mine” recognized at this level?
It feels incredibly wonderful to have my movie, ALL MINE featured on a prestigious platform such as the AMVCAs, best known for celebrating excellence in film and TV productions. This nomination is a testament to the excellent work we do at March 31 Media and a tribute the sheer brilliance of the cast and crew who flawlessly brought this vision to life.
This story is particularly relevant as it exposes the impact of childhood trauma in adulthood, as well as delves into themes around mental health. But beyond these, it is a very engaging love story, albeit dark. I’m grateful to Africa Magic for commissioning this production and continually enriching our film industry through their heavy investments. This award nomination in the Best Scripted M-Net Original category is really special.
Last year, March 31 Media was nominated for Best Unscripted M-Net Original, and you were also nominated asBest Producer Africa at TINFF. What do these awards mean to you?
As a creative, getting accolades for your work is a very good feeling.
Being recognized, being seen, being celebrated will forever be a cool feeling.
And these award and nominations are heartwarming spotlights on the excellent content I produce and my work as a TV and Film Producer. So yes, it means a lot.
You’ve had an incredible 20-year plus journey in media. Looking back, what were the biggest turning points in your career?
Interesting question! I’ve had a few turning points in my journey.
First was in 2013, when I decided to make the move to full time television. Before then, I had worked on radio for about 9 years, received Best Radio Presenter of the Year nomination and was ready to explore other media content.
Another turning point in my career was in 2018 when I embarked on a new phase as an independent freelance Producer. This afforded me the opportunity to be able to directly manage my time and also have more input on the kind of content I work on.
And in recent times, in 2022, I started paid internship opportunities at March 31 Media to give emerging creatives the chance to not only learn the theory of content production but also gain hands-on field experiences. This led to the birth of my course, Fundamentals of Production which was launched in 2024.
After the preview launch at your 20th anniversary, you recently relaunched your “Fundamentals of Production” course. What inspired you to create it, who is it for and what are the major updates in this relaunch.
The Fundamentals of Production course is created to address the information gap among entry-level creatives who are looking to kickstart their career in film and TV production. It’s a self-paced virtual learning experience that fuels curiousity, features useful information about the various stages and processes involved in production as well as provide insights into building a successful career in film and TV. The knowledge is presented in modules and easy-to-understand video formats.
I wanted a course that would give the participants a good understanding of the multi-layered nature of film and TV productions, while also exposing them to the practicality of it all. And that’s exactly what the course, Fundamentals of Production, achieves.
You often say, “Knowledge without mentorship is a waste.” How do you hope this course will help young creatives?
I do hope that creatives can engage meaningfully with the course, and it sparks in them a desire to approach productions excellently.
The detailed information is designed to give an appreciation of the complex nature of media productions and how the various elements come together to make a beautiful whole.
In 2024, you became a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys). What does this mean for you and Nigerian filmmakers?
Membership of a global, prestigious body such as theInternational Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is one that I don’t take lightly.
The Academy is a non-profit, membership organization, based in New York City, comprised of leading entertainment figures across all sectors of the television industry, from over sixty countries. These television and media leaders come together to exchange ideas, discuss common issues and promote new strategies for the future development of quality global television programming. And of course, the Academy is best known for recognizing excellence in television programming with the International Emmy Award.
So, this recognition on a prestigious global platform is a testament of my expertise in the TV industry and spotlights my continued dedication to my craft.
What would you say is your driving force and what’s next for you?
My driving force is the constant pursuit of creative excellence. Challenging myself to give my best at all times is a big motivation.
What’s next?
I plan to continue to produce excellent media content, that serves the audience and the commissioning party.
More global recognition for my work, both locally and internationally.
Active involvement in the training and mentoring of a new generation of media producers who have excellence at their core.
More platforms to share my knowledge, and contribute to discussions that shape our industry.
Why the name “March 31 Media”?
(Smiles). It’s as simple as “I was born on March 31”. I like to think that the brilliance of my work in the media stems from the fact that I was added to the birth list on March 31 many years ago.
What are the major challenges you have faced in your media career and as a business owner and how have you been able to navigate things successfully?
One of the biggest challenges is finding people who are excellent in what they do, or are at least willing to try.
I find that most people are comfortable with doing the bare minimum, or taking the easy way out. For instance, there are people who go on Set without a defined shot list as a Director, or without a clear content plan or a detailed budget as a Producer. The importance of research is often overlooked too. I find these odd.
Hence, one of my goals is to continually inspire excellence in production.
Why are you particular about training and mentorships for the next generation?
Capacity building and mentorship is a key strategy for career success. And because I have been a direct beneficiary of these, it is my desire to pay it forward where I can.
You’ve worked on over 40 commissioned movies and some big international formats. What advice would you give to young filmmakers trying to build a lasting career?
Be excellent. Give your best and a little extra.
Research the content format you’re working on. Watch movies and TV shows that have been produced. Analyze their camera angles and style. Breakdown their content structure.
I remember when I had to produce The Voice Nigeria Season 3. It was the first time the show was being produced in Nigeria, and the stakes were high. I had to watch various versions of the show from other countries, and created a running order and production breakdown from what I watched. Then I read the Format Guide and that gave me a solid footing to produce one of the best Seasons of the Nigerian franchise (Season 3) with millions of views online and great weekly reviews.
I adopted the same process with The Real Housewives of Lagos. So far, there have been 3 Seasons and I have been blessed to have produced them with the brilliant production company, Livespot. The formular is the same. I watched franchises of the show from Beverly Hills, Potomac, Orange County, Durban and a few others, created a content plan and production breakdownbased on what I watched…then read the Format Guide. I also spoke to various people who had previously worked on the format in various regions. It’s incredible the amount of information you unearth through research.
Another advice will be to seek out mentorship.
There are some roads you don’t have to travel alone.
There are some mistakes that are not yours to make. Others have made them and you can learn from it.
You have had award nominations for both scripted and unscripted formats and one can say these are really different formats, how have you been able to navigate both successfully?
I’m glad you touched on this, as I have indeed been blessed to be excelling in both scripted and unscripted formats.
I always say that understanding the fundamentals of production is a great starting point.
Once you understand the fundamentals, you can tweak this to fit into the content format you’re working on.
Scripted and unscripted formats are unique in their outlook, but at the very core – there are some striking similarities.
And as I have previously shared, I do a lot of content format research.
I watch what has been done. I take learnings from other shows.
I also work with brilliant creatives.
I always say that a Producer’s biggest blessing is her team, and whether working on scripted or unscripted, I have been privileged (and blessed) to work with some of the most creative minds in our industry.
After more than 20 years in media, what does success look like for you now?
Success means continued production of excellent content, more recognition for my work and global opportunities to make my mark.
It also extends to impacting the next generation through capacity building programmes, mentorship opportunities and speaking engagements.
What would you like your legacy to be as a filmmaker and a Nigerian?
I’d like my legacy to be that I tell stories/produce content excellently and that I am a great support to my team or any commissioning party.
How can young or aspiring filmmakers sign up for “Fundamentals of Production”?
The Fundamentals of Production is available on Selar.
The link is here – https://march31media.selar.com/FundamentalsOfProduction
They can also reach out to us on social media. I’m HadizatIbrahim across LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and the business is March 31 Media across social media and YouTube.
Let’s connect!
Closing Note
Hadizat Ibrahim is making her mark in film and TV, not just by creating great content but by helping others do the same. Her AMVCA nomination is another win for March 31 Media, and with her “Fundamentals of Production” course, she’s opening doors for young filmmakers.
For anyone looking to break into media, this is the perfect time to learn from one of the best. Check out “Fundamentals of Production” and take the first step toward a successful career in film and TV.
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