Nigerian media powerhouse and producer Mo Abudu has inaugurated a unique cultural venue in London, fulfilling what she calls a “mad dream.” Located near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the centre—branded as EbonyLife Place London—represents the first facility of its kind in both Britain and Europe. The discreet concrete building officially opens to the public this weekend, marking a significant milestone for the EbonyLife brand, a prominent player in the Nigerian Nollywood film industry. Film lovers will recognise the reference to EbonyLife, a leading African production company and a major player in Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, while the name may mean little to many passers-by. “I’m not waiting anymore for anyone to take a six-hour trip from London to understand what it is to watch a Nigerian film or to see Nigerian fashion and so on and so forth.
For the 62-year-old Abudu, who was ranked among the world’s 100 most influential women by Forbes in 2025, the project serves as a platform to amplify African voices. Born in London, Abudu reflected on her youth in England, noting that she struggled to find spaces to watch films featuring black actors or narratives. Determined to change this landscape, she established the centre to ensure that African storytelling is celebrated and consumed globally. She argued that African creatives must move beyond waiting for others to create opportunities, instead taking charge of building their own spaces. Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu, 62, heads a media empire that stretches far beyond Nigeria’s borders. “It’s time to tell our own stories,” she told AFP. “I want to showcase the best of who we are, celebrate who we are. “We have to make the journey because the thing is that we have consumed so much of the world. She recalled that growing up in England: “I could never go anywhere during my youth and watch a black movie.
The facility functions as a “safe space” for the diaspora and beyond, designed to be a hub where visitors can enjoy African fashion, art, music, and cinema. The two-story interior features a restaurant, a boutique hosting designers from across Africa, and a lounge named “F?hinti”—a Yoruba term meaning to lean back and rest. The centrepiece of the venue is the “Amani” cinema, characterized by its warm lighting, wood paneling, and red seating, which is named after the Swahili word for peace and harmony. Paintings by artists from across the continent line the walls.
Abudu emphasized that the centre is inclusive, noting that there will be no restrictions regarding nationality or ethnicity. While the specifics of a future membership program are still being finalized, she stressed that the doors are open to everyone. The curatorial vision for the cinema is equally broad, promising to showcase a diverse range of works. Abudu confirmed that the screening schedule will feature films celebrating black storytelling, including classics from directors like Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene and Algerian auteur Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, alongside new productions and blockbusters like the upcoming entries in the “Black Panther” series.
The project, which is primarily financed by Abudu’s own media conglomerate, draws inspiration from her upscale lifestyle complex launched in Lagos in 2019. The opening week will specifically spotlight works from Nigerian filmmakers such as Nwani Orire and Ifeyinwa Arinze. Looking ahead, Abudu expressed a desire to expand this concept to other cities, specifically mentioning Paris, and noted that she remains open to international collaborations to further bridge cultural divides.
