Tomi Ojo, who plays the role of Zara Sodangi on MAKEMATION, was born on the first day of January 2000. Nollywood would experience a shift that day.
This Y2K kid grew up watching queens like Chioma Chukwuka, who plays her mother, Ginika Sodangi, in MAKEMATION, among others. She decided she was going to be an actress, and the shift began.
Decades passed before that shift. After all, she lived her life and did some growing up. But when she was ready, she made Nollywood feel it. The shift that had begun slowly with her birth.
Tomi Ojo would break into the scene as a teenager and quickly become one of Nollywood’s most sought-after young stars. Her performances stole our hearts and left us wanting more.
With gratitude in our hearts and with all the love in the world, we are proud to say that Tomi Ojo’s metamorphosis is complete. And this is thanks to her role as Zara Sodangi in MAKEMATION.
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder/CEO, Rise Interactive Studios and Rise Networks, and the Creator/Executive Producer of MAKEMATION, selected Tomi Ojo from a host of actors to play Zara Sodangi. Toyosi and her casting directors made the best decision. Since then, every moment has consistently proved them right.
In Africa’s first AI-themed feature film, Tomi Ojo delivers as a brilliant, tech-savvy girl from rural Lagos. Her earnestness and eagerness to make a better future for herself, her family and all of Bariga was beautiful to witness.
Her handling of the environmental factors against her progress showed how the real-life Zaras deal with generational expectations. According to Somi B. of Nolly Critic, Tomi Ojo as Zara never appeared “too perfect or too pitiful”. Instead, she reacted “just as a 17-year-old would—with moments of fear, courage, and unsteady hope.”
Zara has garnered critical acclaim. Audiences see themselves in her. She has left a lasting impact on many. Parents and children now see a path to the future, thanks to her amazing ability to embody the character’s resilience and intellect as Toyosi envisioned it.
No wonder the film, directed by “AMA Psalmist” Michael Akinrogunde grossed ₦32.9 million within its first four days and is one of the top 100 performing Nollywood titles ever! All of these happened in only its first week of release! The best part is that the film is staying strong and maintaining a steady rise even in its third week!
Tomi Ojo is just getting started and the shift is almost complete. MAKEMATION is proud to be associated with her.
