Celebrity Bios
Who is Bolanle Austen-Peters?
Bolanle Austen-Peters, a trailblazing Nigerian Filmmaker, entrepreneur, Lawyer and artistic director who has revolutionized the country’s theater scene. As the founder of BAP Productions and Terra Kulture arts center in Lagos, she has been instrumental in promoting Nigerian culture and talent.
Early life:
Bolanle Austen-Peters was born 4th February in 1969 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. She comes from a distinguished family, being the daughter of Emmanuel Afe Babalola, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Mrs. Bisi Babalola, a retired Major.
Austen-Peters pursued higher education at the University of Lagos, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law. She furthered her studies at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, obtaining a Master’s degree.
Before venturing into the arts, Austen-Peters had a successful career in law. In the 1990s, she worked as a lawyer at Afe Babalola and Co Barristers and Solicitors, and later with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland. This diverse background has likely influenced her unique approach to the creative industries.
Career:
In 2003, Bolanle Austen-Peters founded Terra Kulture, a pioneering educational and cultural hub dedicated to promoting Nigerian languages, arts, and culture. Since its inception, Terra Kulture has evolved into a vibrant complex, featuring: A restraunt, art gallery, bookstore, language school, a theatre, a film production studio and an academy for the study of art. It is Located on Tiamiyu Savage Street in Lagos, Terra Kulture has become a premier destination for cultural expression and exchange, celebrating over two decades of promoting Nigerian arts and culture since its founding in 2003.
In 2013, she founded her own production -Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP production).
In addition to her theater work, Austen-Peters has ventured into film directing, producing critically acclaimed movies for Netflix. Her films, such as “Man of God” and “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,” have garnered significant attention and awards, including Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay.
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ contributions to the arts have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition from CNN, Forbes Afrique, and several awards for her outstanding work. Her impact extends beyond Nigeria, inspiring aspiring musicians and artists across the continent.
Through her work, Bolanle Austen-Peters continues to break boundaries, showcasing Nigerian talent and stories to a global audience. Her dedication to the arts has cemented her position as a leading figure in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
Personal life:
Bolanle Austen-Peters is happily married to Adegboyega Austen-Peters, a distinguished Nigerian executive and board member. Together, they have built a loving family with two children, a son, and a daughter. The family resides in Lagos, Nigeria, where they are actively involved in their respective pursuits and philanthropic endeavours.
Philanthropy:
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ commitment to empowering the next generation of creative talent in Nigeria is evident through her founding of Terra Academy For The Arts (TAFTA). In partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, TAFTA aims to provide free education to 65,000 young adults over five years, equipping them with skills in sound, stage and set design, animation, and scriptwriting.
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ dedication to the creative industries extends beyond education. She has worked closely with the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to develop job opportunities and artistic projects, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.
Her contributions have been recognized through several awards, including the Award in Appreciation of Contribution to the Development of National Museum, Onikan, Lagos in 2015. In 2017, she collaborated with the Lagos State Government to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary, commissioning over 9 sculptures that showcase Lagos’ rich history, culture, and people.
Through her initiatives, Austen-Peters is not only nurturing creative talent but also promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and contributing to the country’s economic development.
List of movies she has directed and Produced:
- 93 days (2015)
- The musical Wakaa (2016)
- The Kalakuta queens (2017)
- The Bling Lagosians (2019)
- Collision Course (2020)
- Man of God (2022)
- Fumilayo Ransome Kuti (2024)
- House of Ga’a (2024)