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EbonyLife Films is set to bring one of Africa’s most celebrated literary works to the big screen as Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, officially gets a film adaptation slated for a global cinema release in December 2026.
The announcement has generated excitement across the literary and film communities, marking a major cultural moment for African storytelling.
The project signals EbonyLife’s return to theatrical filmmaking after a five-year break, during which the media powerhouse focused largely on streaming productions.
This time, the studio is not returning quietly. In a move described as unprecedented in the African film industry, the adaptation is a collaboration between four major cinema and media groups: EbonyLife Group, Genesis Group, Nile Group, and Silverbird Group.
The partnership underscores the scale of ambition behind the film and its target for worldwide theatrical distribution.
Executive Producer Mo Abudu described the adaptation as a deeply meaningful project, noting that bringing Shoneyin’s world-acclaimed story to cinemas represents a personal and professional milestone.
According to her, the strength of the partnerships involved and the calibre of the cast reflect the magnitude of the production and its potential global impact.
Directed by Daniel Oriahi, known for Sylvia and The Weekend, the film boasts one of the largest ensemble casts ever assembled for a Nigerian feature.
Odunlade Adekola leads the cast as Baba Segi, supported by an impressive lineup that includes Iyabo Ojo, Bimbo Ademoye, Mercy Aigbe, Omowunmi Dada, Shaffy Bello, Femi Branch, Bisola Aiyeola, Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Tina Mba. The star-studded cast reflects the layered and emotionally complex nature of the story.
Originally published in 2010, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives follows the life of Baba Segi, a wealthy and boastful patriarch whose carefully managed polygamous household begins to unravel when he marries Bolanle, an educated and modern woman.
Her arrival disrupts the delicate balance in the household, sparking rivalry and ultimately exposing deeply buried secrets that the first three wives have gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal. The story is widely praised for its sharp social commentary on patriarchy, fertility, power, and womanhood.
The screenplay has been adapted by Adze Ugah, with Lola Shoneyin herself involved in the process to ensure the film retains the wit, depth, and cultural nuance that made the novel a classic.
Moses Babatope, CEO of Nile Group, described the project as the kind of African story that deserves a global cinema audience, adding that audiences can expect something truly special during the 2026 holiday season.
With its powerful source material, high-profile cast, and historic industry collaboration, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated African films of 2026, promising a cinematic experience that honours literature while pushing Nollywood onto an even bigger global stage.
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