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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has stepped into a new creative space as she makes her acting debut in the Netflix original series Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens. The series is the highly anticipated second chapter of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s acclaimed Yoruba epic fantasy franchise.
Dabiri-Erewa shared a glimpse of her screen appearance via her official X (formerly Twitter) account, exciting fans and followers with a behind-the-scenes look at her role in the production. In her post, she described her experience on the project and revealed the character she portrayed.
“A bit of my little stint on the legendary Kunle Afolayan’s epic film Anikulapo: The Ghoul awakens where I played the role of ‘Iyalode’, suing for peace between the warring communities. Showing on Netflix. Don’t miss it,” she wrote.
The post was accompanied by a short video clip from the series, capturing Dabiri-Erewa in character as the Iyalode — a respected female leader who steps in to mediate conflict and restore calm between feuding factions. Her role, though brief, carries symbolic weight within the story, reflecting themes of leadership, diplomacy and communal harmony.
This appearance marks Dabiri-Erewa’s first official venture into acting. News of her casting first emerged in mid-January 2026, when it was announced that she had joined the ensemble cast of the series. She appears alongside Portuguese actor Pedro Teixeira, as well as other new additions including popular media personality and actress Bukunmi “KieKie” Adeaga-Ilori.
Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens premiered globally on Netflix on January 30, 2026. The series continues the narrative introduced in the 2022 film Aníkúlápó, expanding its richly imagined Yoruba fantasy world. Set across Oyo and surrounding regions, the story delves deeper into themes of power, destiny, loyalty, love and the consequences of supernatural forces.
Kunle Afolayan, who serves as creator and director, is known for his commitment to visually immersive storytelling rooted in indigenous culture. With The Ghoul Awakens, he builds on the success of the original film by broadening the scope of the story and introducing new characters whose actions reshape the balance of power within the narrative.
To mark the release of the series, Afolayan hosted exclusive watch parties and premiere events at his KAP Film Village and Resorts in Oyo State. The events brought together cast members, industry stakeholders and invited guests, further underscoring the cultural significance of the project.
The series has already attracted attention for its expanded cast, detailed costume design and improved production quality. The official trailer hints at darker stakes this season, emphasising that newly awakened powers come at a heavy cost. Viewers are taken deeper into a world where ambition, tradition and the supernatural collide, forcing characters to confront difficult choices.
Dabiri-Erewa’s unexpected appearance has added another layer of intrigue to the series, blending public service with creative expression. Her debut underscores the growing intersection between governance, culture and storytelling, while Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens continues to cement its place as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious fantasy projects on the global streaming stage.
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