Nigerian pop culture gains new heroine in Labake Olododo

Nollywood epic film, Labake Olododo has premiered in Lagos.

The film’s lead star and co-executive producer, Iyabo Ojo expressed surprise at the reception and support she received at the premiere.

Nigerian celebrities and influencers joined the cast of the film in celebrating the elaborate production.

Shooting of the film started six months ago and features other Nollywood heavyweights such as Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola and Afeez Owo.

On the film, Ojo said, “I call Labake Olododo an all-in-one because you’ll get to see action, drama and comedy played out. It’s about a powerful female warrior who found love in the most unexpected place.”

Nigeria has had heroines such as Queen Amina of Zazzau and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. In the modern day we can even point to the Tiwa Savages, Tems’ and Ayra Starrs as women who have captured Nigerian pop culture and are frequently a topic of conversation in Nigerian communities everywhere. Labake Olododo is sure to join this list of Nigerian women who inspire everyday Nigerian women to aspire to great things outside of what is traditionally expected of them.

Labake Olododo comes out in cinemas on March 28, 2025. Co-executive producing the film with Ojo is Abazee Productions. Abayomi Olukanmi is the founder and chief executive officer of Abazee Productions, a prominent film equipment rental and entertainment content production company. His company released a new film titled ‘Spy Cam’ about male erectile dysfunction in modern-day marriage, to be aired on their YouTube channel Abazee Productions TV. He has been in the entertainment business for over two decades, beginning his career as a production assistant and personal assistant to production companies and celebrities, respectively, before going on to start Abazee Productions in 2014. By that point he was ready to use all he had learned as an employee to be an entrepreneur.

Since the company’s inception, Olukanmi has facilitated Nigerian and African entertainment storytelling mainly through being the go-to film equipment rental company for Nigerian music video directors such as Clarence Peters, TG Omori and Dammy Twitch. Through Olukanmi, Afrobeats superstars such as Davido and Asake have been able to show the world their creativity through their infectious songs.

Advertising agencies also patronise Abazee Productions to film their TV commercials. In 2023 he partnered with Sony Middle East and Africa to introduce the Venice 2 Sony Camera into the Nigerian market, a modern camera designed for the new way of filming for online platforms and cinemas.

Spy Cam stars Nollywood stars Femi Branch, Chinonso Arubayi, Jide Awobona and Kingsley Nwachukwu. This year Abazee Productions has also released several other movies on YouTube including Shattered Ties, Love Found Us, Midnight Caller, Finding Us Again and Moment of Lust