Nigerian actor and filmmaker Lateef Adedimeji, best known for his breakout role in the 2013 film ‘Kudi Klepto,’ has embarked on a new mission in his career: to bring the stories of Nigeria’s unsung heroes to the forefront through biopics. With over 100 films under his belt in his 15-year career, Adedimeji is now focusing his efforts on shining a spotlight on the lesser-known figures who have made significant contributions to Nigerian society.
In a recent interview with The NATION, Adedimeji shared his passion for Nigerian culture and his desire to celebrate the country’s forgotten heroes. I am so big on culture. I am so big on asa ati ise (customs and traditions), which is very key,” he said. And then I know how much we Nigerians in this part of the world celebrate heroes. And then what happens to our own heroes, we have a lot of them here, even as Nigerians, don’t even know their history. We don’t know their story. We don’t know anything about them.”
Adedimeji’s latest project, ‘Lisabi,’ is a testament to his commitment to this cause. The Yoruba historical film, which he executive produced alongside his wife Mo Bimpe, tells the story of the legendary Egba warrior who fought for the independence of his people from the oppressive rule of the Alaafin of Oyo. The film, now available on Netflix, has garnered critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and authentic portrayal of Yoruba culture.
For Adedimeji, the decision to create ‘Lisabi’ was a personal one. After ‘Ayinla,’ I did about four other biopics,” he revealed, referring to his 2021 film about the late Nigerian musician Ayinla Omowura. “I did the one for the sitting president, I did ‘Ige.’ I’ve done biopics of people that are living. I’ve done about three people that are living and then ‘Ayinla’ is the first one about somebody that is no more. And ‘Lisabi’ is the second about someone that is no more and ‘Lisabi’ is quite big. That is the person that gave Egba the very first independence.”
Adedimeji’s dedication to authenticity was evident in the casting process for ‘Lisabi.’ He and his wife, along with director Niyi Akinmolayan, carefully selected actors who could bring the characters to life, with Ibrahim Chatta being the clear choice for the role of Olori Ilari. From the outset when we thought about Olori Ilari from the writing of the story, we knew and we were certain that he was going to be Ibrahim Chatta because I know he is the one who can pull that character for me,” Adedimeji explained.
The attention to detail extended to the language used in the film, with Adedimeji ensuring that the cast spoke the Egba dialect despite not everyone being from Abeokuta. “We had like two people who were always on ground for every major character,” he said. “It was going to be a problem if you cannot speak Egba and we now have to force you to speak it. You get to be speaking the wrong thing. But there are some certain words that once you say it people can tell that it’s Egba.
While ‘Lisabi’ has been well-received in Africa, Adedimeji expressed frustration at the film not being available globally on Netflix. “I think that is what we’re still working on. I have sent a series of emails to Netflix because it’s supposed to be a global release,” he said. “People are very angry, and I wrote to them and told them ‘this movie is not just for Africa. It’s our story. The global world needs to see the story. And we have a lot of Nigerians in the diaspora that really want the story.'”
Despite the setback, Adedimeji remains committed to his mission of showcasing Nigeria’s forgotten heroes through biopics. With his talent, passion, and dedication to authenticity, he is poised to make a lasting impact on Nigerian cinema and bring the stories of the country’s unsung legends to the world stage.
As he continues to carve out his niche in the industry, Adedimeji’s focus on biopics serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to preserve history and celebrate the individuals who have shaped our societies. Through his work, he is not only entertaining audiences but also educating them, ensuring that the legacies of Nigeria’s heroes live on for generations to come.
