Odunlade Adekola’s “Warlord: Olori Ogun” Dominates Nigerian Box Office With ₦38.1M Debut
The highly anticipated Nollywood epic “Warlord: Olori Ogun”, produced and co-directed by Odunlade Adekola, has raked in a remarkable ₦38.1 million during its opening weekend in Nigerian cinemas. The film, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, was released on November 28, 2025, and quickly emerged as the top-grossing movie among new releases.
According to Nigerian box office data for November 28–30, 2025, “Warlord” leads the weekend charts, followed by:
- Now You See Me 3 – ₦21.8M (₦120.1M cumulative)
- Wicked 2 – ₦13.3M (₦39.6M cumulative)
- Zootopia – ₦12.7M (₦13.2M cumulative)
- Sisu: Road to Revenge – ₦7.6M (₦23.4M cumulative)
- Predator: Badlands – ₦6.7M (₦112M cumulative)
The impressive opening cements “Warlord” as one of the top-performing Nigerian film debuts of the quarter, reflecting strong audience interest in Yoruba-language epics and star-led Nollywood productions.
Plot and Themes
“Warlord: Olori Ogun” tells the story of a brave warrior whose choices shape not only his destiny but also the fate of his people. The film explores themes of courage, loyalty, leadership, and sacrifice, showing that true strength involves wisdom, responsibility, and facing consequences. Audiences are taken on an action-packed and emotional journey, blending intense battles with lessons about friendship, leadership, and accountability.
Star-Studded Cast and Multiple Directors
The film features an all-star Nollywood ensemble, including:
- Femi Adebayo
- Toyin Abraham
- Ibrahim Chatta
- Faithia Williams
- Muyiwa Ademola
- Eniola Ajao
Described as a “one-movie, four-directors” cinematic event, the project was co-directed by Abiodun Olanrewaju, Odunlade Adekola, Tope Adebayo, and Adebayo Tijani, highlighting a collaborative approach to storytelling and production.
Industry Support Amid Social Media Criticism
While “Warlord” has received widespread acclaim, it faced some criticism on social media regarding its production quality and Odunlade Adekola’s multiple roles as producer, director, and lead actor. In response, Femi Adebayo defended his colleague, urging critics to respect the filmmaking process.
“Filmmaking is a team effort involving directors, writers, crew, and actors. Watch the movie at a cinema near you and judge with open eyes—not quick fingers behind a keyboard,” he stated.
Wide Cinema Release Across Nigeria
Following its Grand Premiere on November 26, “Warlord: Olori Ogun” is now showing in major Nigerian cinemas, including:
- Ikeja City Mall, Lagos
- Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island
- Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Abuja
- Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja
The combination of strong public turnout and industry support signals that “Warlord” is poised to remain a box office hit while continuing to generate conversations around Nollywood epics and Yoruba-language cinema.
