Diji Aderogba

EARLY LIFE

Diji Aderogba was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, where he spent most of his childhood. Growing up in this historic city, he developed a deep fascination with stories and the art of storytelling from an early age. He was particularly intrigued by the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking—camera angles, editing, performances, and how narratives are crafted on screen. This early passion for visual storytelling would later define his career path. Although he initially aspired to study Mass Communication, family advice steered him toward English Literature at Redeemer's University. During his undergraduate years, Diji’s interest in cinema deepened, especially after discovering the work of legendary Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani. Inspired by films like Saworoide, he reached out to Kelani via social media seeking mentorship. After graduating, he pursued formal film training at the Mainframe Film and Media Institute, owned by Tunde Kelani himself. There, he majored in directing, cinematography, and writing. This rigorous training, combined with his natural curiosity and determination, equipped him with the skills to transition from a passionate storyteller into a professional filmmaker. His roots in Ogun State and early exposure to both literature and cinema laid a strong foundation for the conscious, socially relevant stories he would later create.

CAREER

Diji Aderogba is an award-winning Nigerian film director, photographer, and content creator renowned for telling “conscious stories” that address pressing societal issues such as mental health, trauma, child labour, domestic violence, grief, and community life. He began his professional filmmaking journey in 2016 after completing his training at the Mainframe Film and Media Institute under the mentorship of Tunde Kelani. He started humbly, shadowing Kelani on sets and progressing from production assistant (PA) roles to directing projects for brands, production houses, and major platforms both locally and internationally. His early short films include To Be a Child Again (2017), which explores themes of child labour and education, and Tosin (2019), a psychological thriller delving into death, grief, and healing. In 2018, he directed the documentary Hidden Euphoria, which shines a light on life in Lagos’s Makoko community. The film earned him a nomination for Best Documentary at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). Diji’s directorial debut feature film, About a Boy (also referred to as About a Boy and His Muse, 2021), is a psychological thriller exploring childhood trauma. It starred Chimezie Imo and won the prestigious Audience Choice Award (Prix du Public) at the 8th Nollywood Week Film Festival in Paris in 2021. The film was also selected for other festivals, including the Direct Monthly Online Film Festival. In 2021, Diji directed the Showmax original comedy series Ghana Jollof, the platform’s first Nigerian original comedy series and its first West African original comedy show. The 13-episode series, shot in Nigeria and Ghana and featuring Basketmouth, addressed themes of adulting, cultural diversity, and seeking better opportunities. It marked his major television directorial debut and earned him the NXT Filmmaker Award at the Top Charts Africa Awards, recognizing his talent and work ethic. He has also directed the web series When Are We Getting Married? (in partnership with Filmtrybe/RedTV), a romantic comedy about love, marriage, and adulthood that received an AMVCA nomination for Best TV Show in 2023. Other notable projects include Mr Incredible (2021) and The Girl In Table 5 (2022). He has directed over a dozen short films screened at international festivals, spanning narrative, LED-volume productions, and documentaries. Upcoming work includes the series Laces, following a young woman in Lagos and featuring stars like Lilian Afegbai, Tina Mba, and Mr. Macaroni. Parallel to his film career, Diji is an accomplished photographer specializing in street style, editorial, and documentary photography. Since going full-time with street photography in 2023, he has documented urban life across multiple countries using tools like iPhone and Fujifilm cameras. His “LAGOS” project is an ongoing visual diary of the city’s everyday moments, hustle, and human stories. He blends film and still photography to create bold visual narratives and has collaborated with brands while building a significant following on social media, particularly Twitter (now X), where he shares his work, engages globally, and even secures opportunities through viral posts. Diji’s career trajectory—from mentee under Tunde Kelani to directing major series and winning international awards—demonstrates his growth, versatility, and commitment to impactful storytelling. He avoids being boxed into one genre, embracing comedy, drama, thriller, and documentary formats as long as the story resonates with him.

PERSONAL LIFE

Diji Aderogba maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing much of his public presence on his creative work and professional achievements. His work often reflects deep empathy for societal issues, including mental health, childhood trauma, child labour, and community struggles—suggesting a thoughtful and observant personality shaped by his upbringing. Diji has spoken about not being “born or bred in Lagos,” yet he has made the bustling city his creative home and primary base for many years. He relocated to the United Kingdom around 2022, where he continues to work while expanding his photography projects across cities like Lagos, London, Kenya, and Morocco. His ongoing street photography project titled “LAGOS” captures the everyday hustle, stories, and vibrant life of Lagosians, showcasing his ability to blend observational skills from filmmaking with still photography. Diji’s journey from a small-town upbringing in Abeokuta to international recognition highlights his resilience and passion. He remains grounded, often crediting mentorship, hard work, and collaboration as key to his growth, while using platforms like Twitter (now X) to engage globally and promote his craft.

Diji Aderogba stands out as a versatile visual storyteller who seamlessly bridges traditional filmmaking with modern digital content creation and photography. His work consistently emphasizes social consciousness, using cinema and imagery to spark conversations about real-life issues in Nigerian and African society. He has received multiple accolades, including AMVCA nominations for directing, the Audience Choice Award at Nollywood Week Paris for About a Boy, the NXT Filmmaker Award, and recognition as Best Director at the Nollywoodfilm Festival.