EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
KAZEEM OPEYEMI BALIKIS is a script writer whose work has quietly shaped several contemporary Nigerian screen narratives. Known for her disciplined approach to storytelling and her preference for emotional realism over excess, she has earned industry respect through consistency and craft rather than noise. In this exclusive conversation with The Lagos Mag, Balikis speaks about her writing journey, her creative process, and the stories she is still determined to tell.
The Lagos Mag: You have built a steady body of work over the years. How did your journey into screenwriting begin?
Kazeem Opeyemi Balikis: Writing started as a private discipline for me. I was always drawn to observing people and asking why they behave the way they do. Screenwriting became the most honest way to translate those observations into something structured. I did not rush the process. I focused on learning how stories work, how scenes breathe, and how characters earn their choices.
The Lagos Mag: Your credits include Fate, Perfect, Hidden Wound, My Cake, Aiku, and Aso Mi. What connects these stories?
Balikis: They are all rooted in consequence. I am interested in what happens after decisions are made. I like characters who feel real enough to disappoint you or surprise you. Even when the stories differ in tone, they are connected by that sense of responsibility to truth.
The Lagos Mag: You work full time with Integrity Icon Productions. How has that shaped your growth as a writer?
Balikis: Working full time within a production structure teaches discipline. You learn to write with the screen in mind, not just the page. It has sharpened my sense of collaboration and timing. I understand production limits, and that helps me write stories that are practical without losing depth.
The Lagos Mag: Your last completed project, ALE, received strong internal reviews. What did that project represent for you?
Balikis: ALE was important because it required restraint. The story demanded silence in certain moments, not dialogue. It pushed me to trust the audience more. I think it marked a point where I became more confident in simplicity.
The Lagos Mag: You have also received several recognitions, including Best Script Writer at the Integrity Icon Awards. What do awards mean to you?
Balikis: Awards are encouraging, but they are not the goal. For me, they confirm that the work is being understood. The real reward is when a story stays with someone after the screen goes dark.
The Lagos Mag: You are currently working on The Unwritten Law. What can you share about this project?
Balikis: It explores the rules we live by but rarely name. The expectations, traditions, and silent agreements that shape behaviour. It is very human, very reflective, and slightly uncomfortable in the right way. I am taking my time with it.
The Lagos Mag: How would you describe your writing philosophy?
Balikis: Respect the character. Respect the audience. Do not explain what can be felt. And always remember that every scene must earn its place.
The Lagos Mag: Finally, what do you hope your work contributes to Nigerian cinema?
Balikis: I hope it contributes honesty. If my stories encourage better writing discipline and remind people that strong narratives do not need noise to matter, then I am satisfied.
Kazeem Opeyemi Balikis continues to represent a thoughtful, grounded voice in Nigerian screenwriting. For The Lagos Mag, her journey is a reminder that the most enduring creative careers are built quietly, on patience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to craft.