The Story⚡
Market women risk everything for one of their own. A village faces the return of an old darkness. A first lady’s private desire becomes public danger, and ordinary lives are rewritten by love, secrets, and the unfinished business of history. Here’s every movie you’ll want to watch this October.
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Nollywood continues to deliver a strong slate of new films in October across cinemas and major digital platforms. From faith-based epics and crime dramas hitting theatres to comedies and romances arriving on Netflix, Kava, and YouTube, the month offers a mix of theatrical openings and direct-to-audience releases that reflect the industry’s ongoing growth in both big-screen and online distribution. Here is a closer look at each.
Cinemas
Agbara Nla (Agbara Nla: The Return) — October 1
This contemporary remake of the 1993 Mount Zion classic returns to the community of Muwonleru, a place long held under the influence of the powerful herbalist Isawuru. Two city professionals, Olaboye and Olatomi, answer a call to carry the gospel into the village. What follows is a direct spiritual confrontation between light and darkness, while the narrative also examines personal deliverance for characters who earlier resisted the same call.
Mike Bamiloye reprises the role of Isawuru. The cast includes Philip Olubakin, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Gloria Mike-Bamiloye, and David Kola Okeowo. Directed by Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Mike-Bamiloye. Produced by Chris Odeh in collaboration with Mount Zion Film Productions, Circuits, and Sozo Films. Distributed by Nile Entertainment. The film has drawn strong early cinema attendance.
Black Market — October 2
Five market women run a tight, disciplined cross-border smuggling operation during a period of fuel scarcity. Their ordered system collapses when a rival kidnaps one of their daughters, pulling the women into a high-stakes struggle of deception and survival.
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay. Stars Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, and Lateef Adedimeji. After a large public screening in Lagos, the film is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
MKO — October 2
This 108-minute documentary examines the life of businessman and politician Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely regarded as free and fair, its annulment by the military government, the subsequent pro-democracy struggle, Abiola’s detention, and the circumstances of his death in custody in 1998.
Directed and produced by Ose Oyamendan. The film draws on extensive archival material and interviews with key figures, including former military leaders Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Baba Gana Kingibe, members of the Abiola family, diplomats such as Walter Carrington and Thomas Pickering, and others connected to the events. Production involved collaborators including Véronique Bernard and Mark Jonathan Harris. Distributed in Nigeria by Nile Entertainment.
East West Love — October 9
After catching her boyfriend cheating, Tito’s planned trip to Mombasa, Kenya turns into a girls’ getaway with her best friend. What begins as an escape from heartbreak becomes a journey of healing and new possibilities when she meets a charming local named Juma.
Directed by Seko Shamte. Stars Sunshine Rosman as Tito, Brian Abajah as Juma, Efa Iwara as Chude, Elma Mbadiwe as Jumaai, and Emmanuel Mugo.
Tele x Zikora — October 23
This young-adult campus romantic drama is set at the fictional Lagos Metropolitan University. It follows two young people from entirely different worlds whose lives collide.
Written, produced, and directed by Adenike Adebayo-Esho. Stars Mike Afolarin and Genoveva Umeh in the lead roles, alongside Mercy Aigbe, Chimezie Imo, Tomi Ojo, Daniel Etim Effiong, Olumide Oworu, and others. A collaboration between Imagine Media and MayDay Studios, distributed by Cinemax Entertainment.
Netflix & Kava
Oversabi Aunty — October 2
This comedy-drama follows Toun, an overzealous church usher whose constant attempts to correct those around her begin to affect her own family. Written and directed by Toyin Abraham in her feature directorial debut, she also stars in the lead role. Co-stars include Mike Ezuruonye, Jemima Osunde, Efe Irele, Tana Adelana, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and Queen Nwokoye.
YouTube
My 30th Wedding — October 1 (Bimbo Ademoye TV)
An ambitious event planner balances professional challenges with personal expectations as their family pushes for marriage. When a demanding client approaches them with a high-stakes memorial project, the encounter forces a re-evaluation of both career priorities and long-held judgments, leading to an unexpected shift in their personal life. Written and produced by Bimbo Ademoye, who also stars. Co-stars Timini Egbuson.
VIP Caregiver — October 3 (Film Republic TV)
This comedy-drama explores relationships, financial expectations, jealousy, and the misunderstandings that can arise between people. The movie stars Ebube Obi (also known as Ebube Obio) among its cast.
If You Ask Me to Stay — October 3 (Omoni Oboli TV)
With only thirty days left before she relocates to Abuja for the biggest opportunity of her career, Zara has no plans to fall in love. Then Timi arrives to buy her old armchair and quietly turns her carefully ordered life upside down. When a dangerous secret threatens everything Zara has worked for, betrayal, distance, and one painful question test their new relationship: If you ask me to stay, what exactly are you asking me to give up?. The movie stars Toluwani George, Sydney Ihionu, and Paul Utomi.
Once Upon a Village Episode 9 — October 2 (Ruthkadiri247 TV)
Ruth Kadiri continues the series, exploring the profound weight of past secrets and the cycle of suffering within a village. Tensions rise as deep-seated manipulation and hidden family histories threaten multiple households, forcing individuals to confront the difficult reality of their intertwined fates.
In Summary
October gives Nigerian audiences drama, history, romance and comedy, on cinema screens and on the phone in your hand. Pick a film for each weekend, book your cinema tickets early and keep a few titles queued for home. Which one are you watching first?
Thanks for Reading.
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