The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, a film adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel, premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2026, marking another milestone in the film’s journey to international audiences.
Produced by Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films, the film was directed by Daniel Oriahi and features a cast led by Odunlade Adekola, Omowunmi Dada, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe and Bimbo Ademoye. It tells the story of Baba Segi, a wealthy Yoruba patriarch whose seemingly stable household begins to unravel following the arrival of his fourth wife, Bolanle, an educated young woman whose inability to conceive exposes long-hidden family secrets.
The London screening brought the film and its creative team into the spotlight at one of the United Kingdom’s major film festivals. Photographs shared by Omowunmi Dada showed members of the cast and production team gathered on stage and posing together at the event. The actress described the occasion on Instagram as “a leading lady, on a leading lady kind of night.”
The screening followed the film’s world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival in September, where it was selected for the festival’s Centrepiece programme. Its appearance at the London festival further extends its international festival journey, introducing the adaptation to audiences beyond Nigeria ahead of its theatrical release at home.
The film is also significant for EbonyLife Films, which is returning to theatrical cinema with the adaptation after 7 years away from the big screen. Bringing Shoneyin’s widely recognised literary work to cinema offers an opportunity to present a distinctly Nigerian story to international audiences while preparing for its release across Nigerian cinemas.
Lagos Premiere and Nationwide Cinema Release
Following its international festival screenings, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is scheduled to have its African premiere in Lagos on November 29, 2026, before opening in Nigerian cinemas nationwide on December 4.
The theatrical release is being supported by major industry partners, including EbonyLife Films,Genesis Group, Nile MediaEntertainment GroupandFlytime, with distribution arrangements involving FilmOne Distribution and Flytime. The film is expected to screen across cinema chains in Nigeria, giving local audiences the opportunity to experience the adaptation on the big screen.
Based on Shoneyin’s novel, the film explores marriage, jealousy, fertility, power and survival within a traditional Yoruba household. Its December release will bring the story to Nigerian cinema audiences after its appearances at international film festivals.
For Mo Abudu and the team behind the production, the Nigerian release represents an important next step in bringing the adaptation to the audience whose culture and experiences are central to the story.
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