Nigeria has selected Damilola Orimogunje’s “Dear Ajayi” as its official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for 14 March 2027 in Los Angeles, United States.
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee, the Academy-approved body responsible for choosing Nigeria’s entry in the category, announced the selection after reviewing films submitted during its 1–31 August 2026 national call. Nigeria did not submit a film for the 98th Academy Awards after its committee determined that none of the entries met its selection standard.
Written and directed by Orimogunje, “Dear Ajayi” is a Nigeria-Germany production set in southwestern Nigeria in the 1990s. The drama follows estranged sisters Ade and Titi, who are forced to live together while caring for their paralysed mother. Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi and Lanre Hassan lead the cast.
The film competed in September 2026 at Giornate degli Autori, the independent film programme held during the Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy. It received the programme’s Enrico Fulchignoni Prize and the Bisato d’Oro award for its cast and performances. The production companies include Nigeria’s 2o9ine Films, Depth and Optics Productions and Zynox Productions, alongside Germany’s Mayana Films.
“Dear Ajayi” now enters the Academy’s international feature selection process. The 15-film shortlist will be announced on 15 December 2026, followed by the five Oscar nominees on 21 January 2027. Nigeria has yet to receive a nomination in the category.