Finding Her Frame: Karamat Eko’s Journey Behind the Scenes 

From a curious intern to producing a film starring some of Nollywood’s biggest names, Karamat’s rise has been anything but ordinary. A fresh graduate from film school in 2024, she’s already worked with industry legend Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and directed projects with heart, purpose, and a clear voice. Still finding her niche, she’s determined to tell stories that resonate with simplicity, clarity, and soul.

A Spark in 2018, A Flame in 2024

“Most people always say I’m a very dramatic person,” Karamat says with a laugh. Her love for storytelling began in high school through literature, but it wasn’t until a 2018 internship with RMD Productions that her perception of film changed.

“I used to think everything was recorded straightforwardly — like you record everything as it is shown,” she explains. “But when I interned, I saw that things are done so much differently. That sparked my interest. Still, I didn’t think I’d go into it professionally. I just did that internship and moved on. But that genuinely sparked my interest in film.”

Years later, that spark would turn into a flame, and her debut project, Radio Voice, would light the way.

Crafting Simplicity With Intention

Karamat is still shaping her creative identity, but one thing is clear: “Simplicity is key for me. You can tell a lot with just one word.” Whether it’s a love story or a drama, she strives to make her work “very easy to understand.”

“I don’t like to complicate things,” she says. “If there’s a drama, I like it to be as straightforward as possible — with drama here and there — but easy to connect with.”

Now branching into creative direction and directing alongside producing, she’s exploring her range. “I’m still trying to find my niche, but I know there’s so much more I can do as a creative.”

Making Radio Voice: A Debut With Icons

Her debut feature, Radio Voice, features a star-studded lineup: RMD, Nancy Isime, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Deyemi Okanlawon, and it was directed by Isioma Osaje. The cast is impressive, especially for a newcomer. But according to Karamat, it wasn’t just about names — it was about teamwork.

“This film was produced by three women, including me,” she shares. “It wasn’t easy — scheduling was crazy, but we all came together in the chaos to make it happen.”

Interestingly, she hadn’t joined the project initially as a producer. “I went into it as a cast chaperone. I work with RMD Productions, but I didn’t see myself as RMD Productions in that sense. All I knew was: we had a story to tell, and we had to tell it well.”

Despite the big names, she says, “They made it so easy for me. Everybody brought their A-game. They’re the nicest, funniest people.”

Challenges That Shaped Her

The production came with its fair share of trials, including extended shoot days and overnight work. But it also solidified her path.

“I call Radio Voice my baby,” she says proudly. “This is what really ushered me into film production. We’d wake up at 4 am, go to bed at 4 am — up for 24 hours producing. I realised I have such great passion for it.”

Their 14-day shoot stretched to 16 due to exhaustion and the script’s length. “Yes, we wanted to save money, but we also had to prioritise truth, efficiency, and effectiveness. If we had left them tired, it would’ve told in the storytelling.”

On Mentorship and RMD’s Influence

Karamat affectionately refers to RMD as “Ose” — Urhobo for “father.”

“He’s more than a mentor. He’s a father to me,” she says. “He really threw me into it. Nobody gave me a heads-up like, ‘It’s going to be crazy.’ He just said, ‘Go and do it.’ He’s such a supporter, a cheerleader. He pushes me and never says I can’t do it.”

She even calls him “bestie” sometimes — a glimpse into the bond they’ve built beyond set life.

Beyond Film: The Uncoloured Podcast

Karamat also worked as the production manager for the Uncoloured podcast series — her first foray into podcast storytelling.

“My experience with podcasts was just listening. You don’t see what’s happening,” she notes. “But this one was visual, and the crew made it so easy. Once my crew is good, I’m good.”

She credits her friend Bode, who recommended her for the job, even when the producer was skeptical. “I’m a young person; this was my first podcast. But by the end of season one, everyone was satisfied. That meant a lot.”

Love and Awareness in Love At 7

Another standout project for Karamat is Love At 7, a YouTube film she co-produced, blending romance with advocacy.

“I’m a sucker for romance,” she says with a grin. “Anywhere there’s love, I’m in.”

But Love At 7 wasn’t just about feelings — it also created awareness about asthma and the stigma surrounding it. “It was very straight to the point and sent a bigger message. So it was a no-brainer for me.”

Working with her peers made it all the more special. “Everyone was within my age range — young, active, full of crazy ideas. It was a top experience.”

Why Women’s Voices Matter

At the heart of Radio Voice is a woman’s journey — one of redemption, resilience, and rediscovering her voice.

“You don’t have to be seen for your voice to be heard,” Karamat emphasises. “This story talks about the things women face — as single mothers, unemployed, just being a woman. There are lots of odds stacked against you.”

Still, the female lead rises above her setbacks. “She comes out on top. That’s why it was so important to me — and to RMD. He believed this story had to be told by women. He really just sat back and said, ‘You guys know what to do — do it.’”

Is Nollywood Doing Enough for Women?

As someone who stepped into Nollywood in a new wave of storytelling, Karamat remains optimistic.

“There are more stories now, and more being cooked up, that centers around women and their voices. Maybe not so much in the past, but now — yes. There’s still more to be done, but we’re seeing a shift.”

Looking Ahead: Finding Her Lane, On Her Own Terms

At just 24, Karamat is already making waves, but she isn’t rushing the process. When asked where she sees herself in five years, her answer isn’t packed with lofty titles or red carpet dreams — it’s a response anchored in growth and self-discovery.

“In the next five years, I see myself knowing what my creative identity is,” she shares. “I’m still young, so I give myself the space to try a bit of this, a bit of that… I’m not in a rush.”

Her curiosity drives her. One day she might be behind the camera, the next day in the editing suite, or maybe experimenting with sound design. “I hope to have gone through all the processes I want to experience,” she says. “I know I love film production, but I also know there’s so much more out there for me. I just want to find what I truly like — and enjoy.”

It’s not about rushing to arrive — it’s about becoming, and she’s letting herself grow into that, step by step.

A Word to the Dreamers: “Put Yourself Out There”

When asked what advice she’d give to other young creatives, especially women trying to find space in the industry, Karamat doesn’t skip a beat. Instead, she offers a moment of raw honesty.

“After Radio Voice, I went to Ebonylife Creative Academy,” she recalls. “I knew I had the overview of producing, but I needed the technical skills too.”

Her biggest lesson? Do the work, and don’t hide.

“My friends and family are always telling me, ‘put yourself out there.’ Because me? If it’s up to me, nobody would know I even worked on Radio Voice,” she laughs. “I genuinely love being behind the scenes.”

But she’s learned that visibility matters. “For your talent to be seen, you have to relentlessly put yourself out there — even when it feels like no one is watching. I promise you, a million people are. They’re just waiting for the right time to show up.”

Her advice is crystal clear: don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for big names or big budgets.

“If you want to produce, do your own stuff with the little you have. Gather your friends—your colleagues—and create. Because if you keep waiting for the big saviours to fund you, you might wait a long time.”

And her final word? “You are the brand. It costs nothing to put yourself out there.”

The Fun Side: Karamat, Unplugged

We wrapped things up with a few quickfire questions to get a sense of who Karamat is, beyond the call sheets and camera angles.

Directors you dream of working with?
“If you said, can I name my favourite director, I would have automatically said, Isioma Osaje, but one director I dream of working with, actually two. I dream of working with Kemi Adetiba and Funke Akindele. I love that Funke acts, directs, and produces — she’s involved in different angles of production. I’d love to work with both of them.”

Coffee or tea on set?
“Honestly? I’d say coffee. But the real answer? Just give me water.”

How do you stay active on long shoot days?
“My passion fuels me. I can go the whole day without eating, but if I don’t have water, you’ll know something’s wrong,” she laughs. “My brain works like a checklist. Once we start, I’m thinking — ten tasks, how many have we done? Seven more to go. Let’s finish this first, then I’ll relax.”

Tell us something random.
“My name is Karamat Eko. I’m 24, I graduated from Babcock University with a degree in Political Science, and I finished top of my class.”
She adds, “I have two siblings — a sister and a brother — and they’re some of my biggest cheerleaders. And my favourite colour? Pink.”