Umanu Elijah
{{Short description|Nigerian entrepreneur, filmmaker, and humanitarian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Umanu Elijah
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Fugar, Edo State, Nigeria
| nationality = Nigerian
| education = National Open University of Nigeria
Coventry University (MSc, Project Management)
| occupation = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|filmmaker|humanitarian}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| known_for = {{hlist|Founder of Krystal Filmworks|Founder of Krystal TV Africa|TUDI Africa}}
| notable_works = {{hlist|Almajiri|Devil in Agbada|The Millions|LOUD|Bitter Rain|She Is}}
| awards = Nelson Mandela Leadership Award, Forbes Global Climate Recognition, AMVCA nominations
}}
Umanu Ochuwa Ojochenemi Elijah is a Nigerian entrepreneur,{{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah – Biography |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9690641/bio/ |website=IMDb |access-date=23 May 2025}} filmmaker,{{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah makes 2021 breakout film directors list |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/umanu-elijah-makes-2021-breakout-film-directors-list/ |website=Vanguard |date=9 January 2022 |access-date=23 May 2025}} and humanitarian.{{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah appointed ECOWAS Youth Ambassador |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/umanu-elijah-appointed-ecowas-youth-ambassador/ |website=Vanguard |date=21 May 2025 |access-date=23 May 2025}} He is the founder of Krystal Filmworks, Krystal TV Africa, and the Krystal Film Academy. Elijah is known for his involvement in social impact initiatives{{cite web |last=Njoku |first=Benjamin |title=Umanu Elijah gives back to society, launches computer literacy programme in Auchi |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/04/umanu-elijah-gives-back-to-society-launches-computer-literacy-programme-in-auchi/ |website=Vanguard |date=27 April 2024 |access-date=23 May 2025}} and his work in the Nigerian film industry, including multiple nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). He is also the founder of TUDI Africa, a non-governmental organization focused on youth empowerment and community development.{{cite web |title=Tudi Africa hosts transformative teen mentorship summit in Auchi |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/12/tudi-africa-hosts-transformative-teen-mentorship-summit-in-auchi/ |website=Vanguard |date=6 December 2024 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
Early life and education
Umanu Elijah was born in Fugar, Edo State, Nigeria. He hails from Ifeku Island Community in Etsako Central Local Government Area. He obtained a National Diploma in Computer Engineering from Kings Computer College and later earned a university degree from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He holds additional qualifications including a certificate in Digital Storytelling from the University of Birmingham, a filmmaking course from the British Council, and a degree in Project Management from Coventry University in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |last=Daniel |first=Eniola |title=Umanu Elijah makes breakout film directors list |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/umanu-elijah-makes-breakout-film-directors-list/ |website=The Guardian Nigeria |date=29 January 2022 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
Career
=Film and media=
Elijah is active in the Nigerian film industry as a director, producer, and storyteller.{{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah – IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9690641/ |website=IMDb |access-date=23 May 2025}} He is the founder and CEO of Krystal Filmworks, a media production company, and Krystal Film Academy, which trains aspiring filmmakers.{{cite web |last=Koiki |first=Abigail |title=Umanu Elijah’s "Break of Dawn" Sets August 23rd Theatrical Release |url=https://shockng.com/umanu-elijahs-break-of-dawn-sets-august-23rd-theatrical-release/ |website=ShockNG |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=23 May 2025}} His works have featured on platforms such as IMDB, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.{{cite web |last=Abodunrin |first=Akintayo |title=Filmmaker Umanu Elijah makes FORBES BLK list |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/filmmaker-umanu-elijah-makes-forbes-blk-list/ |website=Tribune Online |date=24 September 2023 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
=Social initiatives=
Elijah founded TUDI Africa (The Umanu Development Initiative), a non-governmental organization dedicated to youth development, civic engagement, and community empowerment in Africa.{{cite web |title=Amb. Umanu Elijah Honoured As One Of Africa's '40 Under 40' Most Influential Young Leaders |url=https://leadership.ng/amb-umanu-elijah-honoured-as-one-of-africas-40-under-40-most-influential-young-leaders/ |website=Leadership |date=21 May 2025 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
Notable initiatives by TUDI Africa include:
- Free computer literacy training in rural communities
- Teenage mentorship and engagement summits
- Entrepreneurship development and business grants{{cite web |last=Nda-Isaiah |first=Solomon |title=Film Maker, Umanu Elijah, Makes Case For Nigerian Youths |url=https://leadership.ng/film-maker-umanu-elijah-makes-case-for-nigerian-youths/ |website=Leadership |date=14 July 2023 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
- Civic education and youth political participation programs
- Community sporting and tourism events{{cite web |title=Ifeku Island: Unveiling Edo's hidden gem as Nigeria's top tourist destination |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/ifeku-island-unveiling-edos-hidden-gem-as-nigerias-top-tourist-destination/ |website=Vanguard |date=24 November 2024 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
Filmography
Recognition and affiliations
In 2020, Elijah was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for his participation in campaigns aimed at combating COVID-19 misinformation.
He is affiliated with several notable organizations, including ForbesBLK, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and the Directors Guild of Nigeria. His work has been featured at international festivals and summits such as the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), New York Film Festival, SIFF Moldova, Nollywood Travel Film Festival (NTFF) Berlin, and the NGO International Film Festival (NGOIFF) Kenya.{{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah Makes Breakout Film Directors List |url=https://thestreetjournal.org/umanu-elijah-makes-breakout-film-directors-list/ |website=The Street Journal |access-date=23 May 2025}}
Awards and honors
- Nelson Mandela Leadership Award for Excellence and Integrity
- Forbes Global Climate Change Recognition{{cite web |title=Filmmaker, Umanu Elijah, Makes Forbes BLK 2023 List |url=https://leadership.ng/filmmaker-umanu-elijah-makes-forbes-blk-2023-list/ |website=Leadership |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
- UNESCO COVID-19 Media Campaign Recognition
- Africa Forty Under 40 Award, Egypt{{cite web |title=Nominee – Forty Under 40 Africa |url=https://fortyunder40africa.com/nominee/ |website=Forty Under 40 Africa |access-date=23 May 2025}}
- West Africa Leadership Award (2023)
- Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Award (2023){{cite web |title=Umanu Elijah makes 2021 breakout film directors list |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/umanu-elijah-makes-2021-breakout-film-directors-list/ |website=The Nation |date=12 January 2022 |access-date=23 May 2025}}
- NGO Impact Award, Kenya (2022)
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elijah, Umanu}}
Category:Nigerian film directors
Category:People from Edo State