FIRST+EXCLUSIVE: Renowned theatre practitioner, film director and writer, Yibo Koko joins M-Net as Head of Productions (West Africa)

Renowned theatre practitioner, film director and writer, Mr. Yibo Koko, has joined the AfricaMagic team as Head of Productions for M-Net West Africa. Mr. Koko’s appointment is effective immediately.

Prior to joining Africa Magic, Mr. Koko served as the Creative Consultant to the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and also as the Sub Committee Chairman for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 17th National Sports Festival in Rivers State. He has also participated in key local and international stakeholder functions including the 2013 Technology, Entertainment and Design (TEDx) conference where he was a speaker, and the Arts Council of WS80 London, where he was the guest speaker. He has also appeared as a judge on the popular talent show, Nigeria’s Got Talent.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, the Regional Director for M-Net (West), says: “We are extremely pleased to have Yibo Koko on board. He brings with him over 24 years of indigenous and international entertainment industry knowledge and experience and I am positive that he will achieve even greater heights in his new position as Head of Productions for Africa Magic. His addition to the team bodes well not just for existing and future Africa Magic productions, but also for the various entertainment industries across the African continent.”

Yibo Koko has extensive hands on experience in the filmmaking process, having written and directed a number of movies and short films including the award winning A Clean Woman and Hollywood Lesson, both shot in Hollywood, California.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Yibo Koko says: “AfricaMagic continues to play a prominent role not just in Nigeria’s entertainment industry but across the continent and even globally. The vision behind Africa Magic is to continue to give indigenous talent the opportunity to showcase their works to the world and I am thrilled to now be a part of this vision.”
Yibo Koko holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, and also has professional training in Film Making and Advanced Film Making from the New York Film Academy at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University and Universal Studios in Hollywood, California.

He is a member of various professional organisations including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), and is also a Director on the Board of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency.