AI Film-making Pioneer and Founder, AIFLIX360, Dr. Ope Banwo recently released Africa’s first AI Film amidst claims at unpopular quarters that MAKEMATION, a film which is yet to released, is the first AI film in Africa.
In this exclusive interview with FirstNigeriaTV’s Ojomo Olusegun Adebambo, Banwo bares his mind on this obnoxious claim by the producers of MAKEMATION, amidst other related issues.
Excerpts:
1. Hearty congratulations on the final outcome of the much-awaited First AI film in Africa – “OMEGAMAX CONSPIRACY”. How does it make you feel?
Thank you! The release of “Omegamax Conspiracy” is a historic milestone, not just for Aiflix360 but for African cinema as a whole. It is proof that AI is no longer just a futuristic concept in filmmaking—it is happening right now, and Africa is leading the charge.
This project has been a labor of passion, innovation, and a bold statement that Nollywood and African cinema are not just following trends but actively shaping the future of entertainment. I am incredibly proud of my team and all the pioneers who believe in AI filmmaking as the next evolution of storytelling.
2. I’m sure you are aware of another film MAKEMATION, produced by one Toyosi Akerele also claiming to be the first AI film in Africa. How do you respond to this?
I am very much aware, and quite frankly, I find their claim both misleading and disappointing.
First, their film is NOT an AI-generated movie. It is a traditional Nollywood film, acted by humans, directed by humans, and shot on real sets. The fact that their storyline is about AI does not make it an AI-generated film. That’s like making a movie with a storyline about astronauts on the moon and then claiming you were the first person to land on the moon.
Second, even if they did make an AI movie (which they didn’t), they are not the first and cannot be the first since their movie is not even scheduled for release until April according to their press release. SO they haven’t really released anything, ai or no ai. Its still all talk about what they are doing and they are running around claiming to be first when there are at least 5 other AI Feature FIlms by me out there before theirs
Meanwhile, Aiflix360 officially released our first AI-generated feature film on October 14, 2024, months before they even started their promotions. Since then, we have produced four more AI movies, including “Omegamax Conspiracy”, which premiered globally on March 10, 2025.
Every honest person will agree that talking about making an AI Movie is NOT the same as claiming you are the first to make it. That’s false advertising.
Afteral, Lots of countries talked about landing on the moon before USA, but no nation actually did it before USA and so anyone including Russia that actually orbited the moon first, cannot claim to be first. That’s what Toyois Akerele and her team who produced MAKE MATION are trying to do and its unfortunate.
So, on what grounds are they making this claim?
It is important that we separate hype from reality. Being the first means you actually did it first, not that you marketed it first.
3. One of the major electronic media stations in Nigeria recently claimed that MAKEMATION got endorsed by the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu. Do you consider this an affront to your stake?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it an affront, but it is deeply troubling that a state governor’s name is being used to validate a false historical claim.
I have great respect for His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and I truly believe that he was misled by the promoters of MAKEMATION. I do not believe for a second that the Governor would deliberately endorse misinformation if his media team had properly vetted the claim.
That is why I am urging the Governor’s media handlers to carefully review the facts before allowing the Governor’s office to be used to promote a false claim.
If public figures and institutions are not careful with verifying facts, they risk damaging their own credibility when the truth eventually comes out.
So, to be clear:
📌 Governor Sanwo-Olu was misled into making a factually incorrect statement.
📌 MAKEMATION is NOT Africa’s first AI movie.
📌 Omegamax Conspiracy and Aiflix360 had already achieved this milestone months before.
I expect that once the facts are fully reviewed, a correction will be made.
4. Do you intend to take any action on this or would you rather let it go? What actions should be expected from you?
I believe that truth always wins in the end, but only if it is defended.
While I would have preferred to focus on making more groundbreaking AI movies, I cannot allow history to be rewritten with false claims.
🚨 Here’s what I will be doing next depending on how Toyisi Akerele and her team at MAKE MATION want to escalate this:
First, I am publicly challenging MAKEMATION to provide proof that they released an AI-generated film before October 14, 2024. If they cannot, they should stop misleading the public.
Second, I will formally engage the Governor’s media team to present them with verifiable evidence of Aiflix360’s AI filmmaking history so that they can correct their stance.
Third, I am considering legal and regulatory actions to challenge MAKEMATION’s false advertising. In an era where hype often overshadows truth, we must uphold honesty in marketing and prevent deceptive claims from becoming “fact” through repetition.
At the end of the day, this is bigger than me, MY OMEGAMIX CONSPIRACY AI MOVIE, which is actually the first of its kind (or which at least provably came before Makemation in case there is someone else out there I am not aware of) or MAKEMATION. It is about credibility, historical accuracy, and ensuring that real pioneers are recognized—not those who simply have better marketing tactics.
We owe it to future generations!!!
