EbonyLife Films, the production arm of filmmaker Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Group, is set to release a film adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s internationally acclaimed 2010 novel The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
The movie is scheduled for theatrical release in December, marking EbonyLife’s first feature film in five years.
The project is a collaboration between EbonyLife, Nile Media Entertainment Group, Genesis Group, and Silverbird Group, aiming to bring the best-selling novel to the big screen.
The story centres on Baba Segi and his household of four wives and seven children. It explores themes of power, patriarchy, secrecy, and survival in a polygamous home. The novel has received international recognition and has won several literary awards since its publication.
The ensemble cast includes Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye, Omowunmi Dada, Shaffy Bello, Bisola Aiyeola, Adedimeji Lateef, Femi Branch, Kunle Remi, Bolaji Ogunmola, Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Daniel Etim Effiong, Rotimi Fakunle, Bukunmi ‘Kie-Kie’ Adeaga-Ilori, and Constance Olatunde.
Daniel Oriahi will direct the film from a script adapted by Adze Ugah. Producers are Heidi Uys, Chris Odeh, Mimi Bartels, and Lola Shoneyin. Mo Abudu, Nnaeto Orazulike, Moses Babatope, and Guy Murray Bruce serve as executive producers. Temidayo Makanjuola is Head of Production Design while Yolanda Okereke leads wardrobe.
Abudu said in a statement, “I am excited to return to the big screen after five years with the film adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s world-acclaimed story. The strong partnerships with Genesis, Nile, and Silverbird alongside our outstanding ensemble cast reflect the scale of this project. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives will be released in cinemas globally this December.”
Genesis Group Managing Director Nnaeto Orazulike said the film represents a defining moment for African cinema, while Moses Babatope of Nile Group added that the story deserves a worldwide audience. Guy Murray Bruce of Silverbird Group said the collaboration elevates African storytelling on the global stage.
The novel was first published in 2010 and was longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction. It also won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award. The film is expected to open across Nigeria and international territories in December, including screenings in the United Kingdom.
