Nigeria selects Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi for 2027 Oscars submission

Nigeria’s film body has named Dear Ajayi as the country’s contender in the Best International Feature Film competition at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2027. The movie is directed by Damilola Orimogunje, according to reports from multiple outlets.

Selection and director

Local media outlets report that Dear Ajayi will represent Nigeria in the international feature category at next year’s Academy Awards. The announcement identifies Damilola Orimogunje as the film’s director.

Eligibility and past absence

One report notes that the Academy’s final determination on whether the submission meets the awards’ eligibility requirements has not yet been confirmed. That same source also says Nigeria did not submit a film for the 2026 Oscars race.

What this means

If Dear Ajayi is accepted by the Academy’s selection committee, it will join other official entries from around the world competing in the foreign-language feature category at the 99th Academy Awards. The process requires the Academy to verify that submissions meet technical and eligibility standards before including them on the longlist.

Reporting on the announcement has been carried by multiple outlets, which all identify the same title and director. One outlet highlighted the pending status of the Academy’s review and referenced Nigeria’s absence from the previous year’s submissions.

Next steps

The next public developments to watch are any formal confirmation from the Academy about Dear Ajayi’s eligibility and any statements from Nigeria’s film authorities or the movie’s production team. If approved, publicity and awards-season campaigning typically follow as entries move toward the shortlist and final nominations.

Why this matters

Nigeria is home to a large and influential film industry, and official submissions to the Academy Awards are among the most visible ways national cinemas are showcased on the global stage. Acceptance into the Academy’s process can increase international attention for a film and its filmmakers.

Until the Academy issues its eligibility ruling, the selection stands as the country’s official entry in filings reported by Nigerian and international news outlets.