Mr Atiya died on 6 August.
The family of the late Nigerian filmmaker, producer, and director Dimbo Atiya has announced burial arrangements for the acclaimed creative practitioner.
The news of his death was announced by actor Mofe Duncan and filmmaker Uzee Usman through their respective social media platforms.
However, in a statement signed by SP Benson Atiya (Rtd) on behalf of the family, dated 17 August, the family said funeral activities for Mr Atiya would take place in Jos, Plateau State, on 27 and 28 August 2026.
The funeral programme will begin with a Service of Songs and Tributes on Thursday, 27 August, at 3:00 p.m. at Tamarald Event Centre, Jos.
The Funeral Service will hold the following day, Friday, 28 August, at 9:00 a.m. at Tamarald Event Centre, JIB Junction, No. 5 Jonah Jang Way, formerly Old Airport Road, Jos.
The family described Mr Atiya as a beloved husband, brother, mentor and friend and invited relatives, colleagues, members of the Christian community and the general public to join them for the ceremonies.
In the burial announcement, the family thanked relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers for standing by them through the difficult period following Mr Atiya’s death.
“As we mourn his passing, we also give thanks to God for the life he lived, the lives he touched, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind,” the family said.
The family quoted Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
The family consequently invited members of the public to join them in Jos for the two-day funeral activities as they paid their final respects to the filmmaker and celebrated a life that left a significant imprint on Nigeria’s creative industry.
Mr Atiya built a career spanning more than a decade in film and television. He began his filmmaking career in 2008 and later received professional training in filmmaking and production at the New York Film Academy, with training at its campuses in New York and California.
Throughout his career, Atiya produced more than 500 television episodes and five feature films.
He also worked as a photographer for the London Theatre and later served as Head of Photography at the online retail platform Konga.com.
He rose to national prominence through “Sons of the Caliphate,” a political drama series that explored power, ambition, family loyalty and political manoeuvring. The series featured actors including Yakubu Mohammed, Paul Sambo, Mofe Duncan and Rahama Sadau.
Another major project in his career was “Halita,” which he produced and which earned the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series.
His other credits included “Drawing Strength,” “Still Falling,” “The Plan,” “Dala Dala,” and “W.A.R. Wrath and Revenge.” He also served as co-creator, executive producer, producer, writer and director of “The Rishantes,” produced for Africa Magic and Showmax.
In 2023, he established the Ezekiel Gomos Short Film Fund, providing ₦1 million in soft funding to two young filmmakers whose projects emerged from a filmmaking competition. The initiative was designed to support young creatives with the talent to make films but lacking the financial resources to begin their projects.
