Nollywood star faces backlash over directorial choice for new movie

August 22, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Award winning nollywood star, Lateef Adedimeji’s, latest movie has sparked intense controversy, with fans and critics alike expressing outrage over his choice of director.

Adedimeji’s selection of Niyi Akinmolayan who directed ‘Jagun Jagun’ produced by Femi Adebayo, has ignited a firestorm of criticism.

Concerns are mounting among fans and industry insiders regarding Niyi Akinmolayan’s appointment as director, given his controversial political leanings and past statements on ethnic matters.

Akinmolayan’s tweets, perceived by some as inflammatory and disparaging towards a specific ethnic group, have sparked doubts about his ability to helm a Yoruba movie with sensitivity and cultural nuance

The yet-to-be-released movie, Lisabi, which Adedimeji produced and starred in, has been criticized for its perceived misstep in selecting a director with a questionable track record.

Online forums, especially X formerly (Twitter) and some entertainment platforms are abuzz with discontent, as viewers question Adedimeji’s judgment in entrusting the Yoruba film project to a director accused of making inflammatory tweets on ethnic matters.

Some of Niyi’s past tweet on social media includes the following; “@olamide YBNL Baba…it’s time to include more diversity into your group. Add women, less Yoruba boys. Take it global. U can do it” and also “So because someone has a Yoruba name, they must automatically know the Yoruba culture of kneeling down (even when it’s mostly uncomfortable) to greet. Mscheew” among others.

Reacting to Lateef Adedimeji’s yet to be released movies, “why do you think it is right to make money from Yoruba culture and history when you despise Yoruba culture and Yoruba people?” Says Oyeleye Emmanuel

Daniel Ladoke on Twitter also said, “DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO. It is not worth it. The director has been consistently seen denigrating the Yoruba people of west Africa, the culture of which he’s making movies and money from.”

Despite the growing backlash, Adedimeji has yet to address the public concern, fueling speculation about his choice of director.