Baba Segi film adaptation by EbonyLife Films brings Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel to the big screen in a major December 2026 release
By Olayinka Akanbi
When it was announced that Lola Shoneyin’s ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ would be making a leap to the big screen, it felt like a moment that has been quietly gathering force for years.
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The novel, celebrated since 2010 for its sharp wit, piercing social insight and tender, complex portrayal of womanhood within a polygamous household, is stepping into a cinematic era already rich with Nigerian literary voices being adapted for film.
Led by EbonyLife Films, the adaptation, which is slated for a December release, represents the studio’s first return to the big screen in half a decade.
With Mo Abudu at the helm and in partnership with Genesis Group, Nile Media Entertainment Group and Silverbird Group, the project draws together an alliance of African film powerhouses.
The project finally went into production in March in Lagos. The shoot is expected to last till April 17th in the Apapa area of Lagos.
“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,” Abudu said in an interview.
Director, Daniel Oriahi, brings his storytelling vision to the screenplay adapted by Adze Ugah, while Lola Shoneyin herself participates in the process, ensuring the emotional core that endeared readers remains at the heart of the film.
The story traces the domestic universe of Baba Segi, his four wives and the invisible tensions that keep their world taut.
When Bolanle (the young, educated fourth wife) joins the household, her presence disturbs a fragile ecosystem held together by secrets, survival strategies and long‑buried wounds.
The ensemble cast assembled to interpret these intricate relationships is nothing short of monumental: Odunlade Adekola leads as Baba Segi, with Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye and Omowunmi Dada among the principal wives.
The supporting lineup includes Shaffy Bello, Bisola Aiyeola, Lateef Adedimeji and a host of others.
Ms. Abudu described the casting process and project development as “a continuation of the creative journey that aims to bring the rich, intricate narrative of Shoneyin’s novel to the screen with authenticity and emotional depth.”
The production joins a growing canon of Nigerian literary adaptations like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’, Sefi Atta’s ‘Swallow’, Elechi Amadi’s haunting classic ‘The Concubine’, and Uzodinma Iweala’s ‘Beasts of No Nation’.
Even deeply cultural Yoruba literary works like Akinwumi Isola’s ‘O Le Ku’ and ‘Efunsetan Aniwura’ have made the journey from text to film. These adaptations form a constellation of Nigerian narratives that now set the stage for ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’.
As Nigerian literature gains increasing global attention, the film’s release aligns with a period of broader interest in African narratives presented with scale, collaboration, and cinematic creativity.
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With its December 2026 premiere approaching, audiences in Nigeria and across the diaspora can look forward to a production that reflects the humour and emotional nuance that have contributed to the lasting appeal of Shoneyin’s novel.
