Entertainment

Coup: Four Nollywood Movies About Revolution

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2023

Nollywood has always been a veritable tool that mirrors the society and governance. Telling a story to entertain and set a platform where middle and lower-class can be drawn into the realisation that bad governance is as old as man and radical revolution is attainable is difficult; however, a few Nollywood movies have pulled it off already.

In recent times, the concept of revolution seems to be gaining more mileage in Africa with Africans gradually preparing to resist all form of bad governance — oppression, totalitarianism and sit-tightism.

The African continent, in recent times, has been plunged into a bout of revolution. Consequently, the revolution has been a form of power usurpation. Within 2020 till date, Africa has witnessed not less 6 military coups spanning from Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Gabon. In Niger and Gabon, both Heads of States have been confined into solitaire until further actions are carried out.

Meanwhile, here is a look into five Nollywood movies about radical revolution on bad governance and sit-tightism.

Saworoide by Tunde Kelani

Tunde Kelani’s Saworo Ide revels on a tapestry of bad governance and a successful coup that follows it. Olapite rules with a heavy hand over the townspeople of Jogbo after he dubiously gets the seat of power via a series of electoral malpractices.

An intended approach to prevent the angry masses coming after him leads Lapite to get himself armed military for protection. As the play comes to an end, Lagata (Head of the military) takes over power from Lapite and kills him in the process.

Saworo Ide successfully showcases the high-handedness of political wannabes and overambitiousness of military officers.

76 by Ramsey Noah

Every thematic concern that 76 exemplifies is still relevant in the political and military space of Nigeria.

Although it seems to deviate from the intended narrative of military coup, 76 tells the story of a stashed officer and his wife in an atmosphere aspiring to carry out a coup.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of a pregnant young woman and her husband, a soldier facing allegations of his role in the 1976 military coup and the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, Nigeria’s Head-of-State at the time. This gripping political thriller draws its inspiration from the tumultuous events in Nigeria four decades ago, shedding light on the experiences of a highly regarded army captain and his pregnant wife as his forced involvement in a failed coup becomes a national sensation.

Jagun Jagun by Femi Adebayo

Jagun Jagun rules a kingdom with power and valour and sets forth to take away anybody or anything that comes his way. The movie transcends from a spectre of cinematographic allure to a portrayal of political malady as there appears to be a takeaway message towards the end of the movie.

As expected, the powerful warlord is antagonized by teeming youths who have come to learn warfare in his kingdom. As the movie climaxes away, there is an indication that social and political office holders drive youths into delusion of prosperity. But for the revolutionary move, it would have continued.

Agogo Eewo by Tunde Kelani

Although Agogo Eewọ takes a different dimension from the rest in this list, it still points towards the sit-tightism syndrome that has taken over the political scene of Africa. The movie provides a sequel to Saworo Ide in that it, in a way, follows the sequence of the plot of the movie.

Also, a revolutionary movement hits the town to usurp the seats of the corrupt chiefs and political office holders. They take to the streets, unite their voices and eventually force the Chief Head to take step to dethroning the corrupt chiefs.

Of course, Nollywood has shown its relevance in the past and will forever show it.
VANGUARD

Entertainment

‘There Was No Blueprint For Me’ – Wizkid Claims

Published

20 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer Wizkid has sparked controversy after claiming that he had no blueprint while coming up as an artist, despite having emerged through ace singer Banky W’s imprint.

The Ojuelegba crooner made the statement in a snippet of his upcoming HBO documentary Long Live Lagos.

“There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself,” he claimed.

His comment sparked debate on social media, with many insisting that it not only downplayed Banky W’s impact on his career but also disrespected the great Nigerian musicians who paved the way for the new generation of artists.

Wizkid, however, admitted elsewhere in the documentary that Fela Kuti inspired him to pursue music.

“Fela Kuti was instrumental to why I believe I could really make music,” he said.

Some of the reactions on X include:

Franko_Nero wrote: “I still vividly remember the day that Bankole [Banky W] announced on a show that he wants to introduce a boy wonder, a germ in the making. Today, this ungrateful child is claiming otherwise. If Banky knew that today would come, I am sure he would have chased him far away.”

Arhcent said: “This guy is erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career. The person Banky picked from school into the studio is saying ‘I had to build a structure for myself.’ God sees all.”

Duke of Isoko wrote: “If he never built a structure, Banky probably wouldn’t have noticed him. This dude came out with his own style of music, dressing sense, etc., but I understand that English is a problem in this place.”

Sir Dickson opined: “People are debating this with reference to Banky’s impact in his life. There is no real context to that. I believe he was speaking about his style of music. He reinvented himself. Wiz has never denied Banky’s impact, nor can he. Let’s calm down.”

Entertainment

‘I Am Not Shy, I’m Just Laid Back’ – Olamide Addresses Misconception

Published

20 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Famous Nigerian rapper Olamide Baddo has addressed the misconception that he is shy.

Speaking in a recent interview with Ada’s Room, Baddo explained that he isn’t shy but laid back.

“One thing I wish people could understand about me is I am not shy, I am just laid back,” he said.

The host asked: “What is the difference between shy and laid back?”

Olamide responded: “Shy is when you don’t have the confidence and the charisma to stand people or look them in the eye or have conversations with them.

“But being laid back is you just don’t want to be bothered. People think I am shy but I am not.”

Entertainment

Why I Stopped Going To Church – Actress Ariyiike Dimples

Published

20 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Nigerian actress and media personality, Ariyike Owolagba, popularly known as Ariyiike Dimples, has revealed why she stopped attending church.

Featuring in a recent episode of the Open Up podcast, the movie star shared that she stopped going to church for three years after a church elder questioned her fashion sense.

She stated that the elder told her she would go to hell for wearing a pencil skirt to church, which the elder considered indecent.

The actress said she was frustrated by the experience and quit church.

“In my community church, you see only elderly people. You barely see the young ones. The young ones have gone to other churches. It was too serious. Yes, you can have your doctrines, but there is a way you can simplify it for young people and take them in without judging them.

“The reason I stopped going to church was because I wore a pencil skirt to church and an elderly woman said I will go to hell fire. I was shocked and felt wrongly judged so I stopped going to church for 3 years. And thankfully, I was already out of my parents’ house.

“The woman reported me to my dad. I had to take picture of the skirt and send to my mum to prove that I wasn’t dressing indecently. But my dad believed in the ideology of a community raising a child. So, I chose to avoid the community church so that they won’t see me,” she recalled.

Ariyiike Dimples, however, added that she is still a practicing Christian despite quitting church.