Download
Once again, Nollywood has made a bold statement of excellence and cinematic prowess with the production of Làbákẹ́ Olódodo.
As an enthusiast of Yorùbá culture, I deeply applaud how recent Yorùbá films are reviving nearly extinct traditions and cultural practices. In Yorùbáland, there once existed a working way of life that perfectly suited its era, covering childbirth, warfare, spirituality, royalty, and the celebrated ethos of Omolúàbí, Bíbíire, Akíkanjú and Ìwàpẹ̀lẹ́. The movie, Làbákẹ́ Olódodo captures these elements vividly.
The movie tells the story of a fearless and powerful warrior woman, Làbákẹ́, played by the producer Ìyábọ̀ Òjó, who fought valiantly for Olúkòsì Kingdom and earned herself the chieftaincy title of Akọgun. But when the king, Ọba Adégbenró (played by Fẹ́mi Adébáyọ̀), asked her to fight on behalf of Olúgbọ́n Kingdom, she refused. This left the brave youths, under the leadership of the àrẹ̀mọ, Prince Adéẹ̀sọ́ (played by Olúmídé Ọ̀wọ̀rù), to take up arms and defend Olúgbọ́n. In a tragic turn of events, the àrẹ̀mọ died bravely defending his kingdom, and the news of his death killed the king, Ọba Adéníyì (played by Yínká Quadri).
In sharp contrast, the Balógun (Played by Muyiwa Adémọ́lá) cowered in fear, avoiding battle. The void of true leadership was filled by the youths, depicted with flair by popular skit makers such as Brother Shaggi, Lawyer Kunle, and Kamo, who demonstrated how progressive young people can change narratives, hold leaders accountable, and step forward as true champions of their communities.
Làbákẹ́’s right-hand man, Àdìgún (Played by Àlàbí Ọ̀nàọlápọ̀), embodied tyranny and arrogance. Yet Làbákẹ́, true to her moral compass, stood against his unethical ways by demoting him. Later, she restored him after he showed genuine remorse, an act that highlighted her leadership as both firm and compassionate.
The introduction of Western education in the movie was a refreshing blend, a quick illustration of the new and old eras and how it was received.
Jaiyéọba, (played by Táyọ̀ Fáníran) the English Teacher, despite being Yorùbá, acted in the typical uncultured Alákọ̀wé manner when he stretched out his hand to shake Làbákẹ́ Olódodo instead of bowing in respect like his colleague Àgbékẹ́ (played by Wùnmí Toríọlá). Àgbékẹ́ mistook Jaiyéọba’s lack of respect for bravery, but Àdìgún frowned at his “un-Yorùbá” behaviour.
This reflection is strikingly relevant today. In 2025, many Yorùbás still act like Jaiyéọba, downplaying their heritage and posturing as westernized. Some claim it shows education, but that is not education; it is identity crisis. It is a pitiable malady. It is mental slavery, the worst form of slavery.
Romance enters the narrative as Jaiyéọba woos Làbákẹ́ with a love letter. Though unlearned, she was moved by its words, and affection blossomed. At 40, Làbákẹ́ yearned for love and family, though her grandmother disapproved.
Jaiyéọba’s love for Làbákẹ́ was soon put to the test when Làbákẹ́’s paternal grandmother (played by Màmá Àbẹ̀ní Agbọ́n, Tóyìn Ọláníran) issued a stern warning to him to desist from his romance with Làbákẹ́.
The story reached its climax with the shocking revelation that Jaiyéọba was, in fact, a spy working for his true love, Princess Adeṣẹwà (Scarlet Gomez) of Olúgbọ́n Kingdom. She uncovered the bitter truth, that it was Làbákẹ́ herself who had been orchestrating attacks against Olúgbọ́n, leading to the deaths of both the àrẹ̀mọ and the king.
Bí ikú ilé ò bá pani, ti òde ò lèè pani.
To make matters worse, Beyioku (Olarotimi Fakunle), whom audiences expected to be loyal, secretly conspired against Làbákẹ́ alongside Princess Adeṣẹwà, seeking revenge for being overlooked as her second-in-command.
Àdìgún was the one expected to betray Làbákẹ́, not Beyioku. Àṣé lóòtọ́ ni wípé, ẹni a gbójú okùn lé ò jọ ẹni agba.
Làbákẹ́, blinded by love, submitted herself to Jaiyéọba and engaged in acts that rendered her spiritual power inefficacious, making her an easy target for Princess Adeṣẹwà, who captured and chained her.
The beginning of the end of the film reveals that Làbákẹ́ and her grandmother had long harbored enmity against the royal family of Olúgbọ́n, who had seized her father’s land and killed him. This personal vendetta drove Làbákẹ́ and her warriors to disguise themselves as marauders in their quest for vengeance.
While I deeply appreciate the cultural richness of the movie, I was disappointed by certain elements.
As we continue to advocate for the promotion of the Yorùbá language, with programs like Másòyìnbó encouraging pure and impeccable Yorùbá, I expected that in a movie like Làbákẹ́ Olódodo, the àrẹ̀mọ, Prince Adéẹ̀sọ́, and Princess Adésẹwà of Olúgbọ́n would speak flawless Yorùbá without switching to English at all.
In Yorùbáland, Olúgbọ́n, Arẹ̀ṣà, and Oníkòyí are among the most ancient vassal kings. Làbákẹ́ is eulogized as an Ìkòyí-Ẹ̀ṣọ́, a lineage befitting her personality in the movie. The use of Olúgbọ́n is good, but I have a problem with how it was applied in the film.
The use of “Olúgbọ́n” as the name of a kingdom doesn’t seem right. The etymology of the word Olúgbọ́n means Olú Igbọ́n, “the lord (king or ruler) of Igbọ́n,” the same way we have Olú of Ìlàró, Olú of Ìbàdàn (widely called Olúbàdàn), Olú of Warri, and so on.
Another misconception in the movie is the use of “Ìbà” (Lord) for Beyioku, Làbákẹ́’s right-hand man. “Ìbà” is an appellation used only by the Baṣọ̀run of Ọ̀yọ́ or the Àarẹ Ọ̀nà Kakanfò of Yorùbáland. It doesn’t fit the role of the right-hand man of an Akọgun.
What I love most about the movie is the portrayal of women’s roles in Yorùbáland. Our women were never relegated to the background; they were actively involved in governance, spirituality, warfare, and more.
What I disliked most, however, was the unnecessary display of Làbákẹ́’s breast. Whether it was Ìyábọ̀ Òjó’s real body or a prosthetic by Hakeem Effects Onilogbo, it added nothing to the story and instead became a complete turn-off.
Overall, Làbákẹ́ Olódodo, directed by Bíọ́dún Stephen and produced by Ìyábọ̀ Òjó, is a culturally immersive and visually gripping film. It celebrates Yorùbá heritage while raising critical conversations about leadership, youth, morality, and identity. It is a film worth watching. I am rating it 7 out of 10.
Ire o
Ire kàbìtì kabiti
The BEST way to support us is by providing funding to enable us continue this good work:
Bank: Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank)
Account Name: Johnson Okunade
Naira Account: 0802091793
Dollar Account: 0802091803
Pounds Account: 0802091810
Euro Account: 0802091827
Business Email — hello@johnsonokunade.com
Download
I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.
Thanks for taking the time to break this down step-by-step.
This was easy to follow, even for someone new like me.
You explained it in such a relatable way. Well done!
I wish I had read this sooner!
What a helpful and well-structured post. Thanks a lot!
I love how well-organized and detailed this post is.
You explained it in such a relatable way. Well done!
You’ve done a great job with this. I ended up learning something new without even realizing it—very smooth writing!
You really know how to connect with your readers.
I wasn’t expecting to learn so much from this post!
Thank you for covering this so thoroughly. It helped me a lot.
This gave me a whole new perspective on something I thought I already understood. Great explanation and flow!
You’ve sparked my interest in this topic.
You’ve done a great job with this. I ended up learning something new without even realizing it—very smooth writing!
I enjoyed your take on this subject. Keep writing!
I love how practical and realistic your tips are.
Very useful tips! I’m excited to implement them soon.
Keep educating and inspiring others with posts like this.
You really know how to connect with your readers.
Your writing style makes complex ideas so easy to digest.
Excellent work! Looking forward to future posts.
Thank you for covering this so thoroughly. It helped me a lot.
Great points, well supported by facts and logic.
I like how you presented both sides of the argument fairly.
Your content always adds value to my day.
I appreciate the depth and clarity of this post.
I’ve gained a much better understanding thanks to this post.
I’ve gained a much better understanding thanks to this post.
Thank you for sharing this! I really enjoyed reading your perspective.
Your writing always inspires me to learn more.
Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
I feel more confident tackling this now, thanks to you.
I appreciate your unique perspective on this.
The way you write feels personal and authentic.
I appreciate the depth and clarity of this post.
This post gave me a new perspective I hadn’t considered.
Thank you for sharing this! I really enjoyed reading your perspective.
Your content never disappoints. Keep up the great work!
It’s great to see someone explain this so clearly.
I always look forward to your posts. Keep it coming!
Thanks for taking the time to break this down step-by-step.
Your thoughts are always so well-organized and presented.
Your breakdown of the topic is so well thought out.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This added a lot of value to my day.
Your breakdown of the topic is so well thought out.
Great job simplifying something so complex.
Your articles always leave me thinking.
Your breakdown of the topic is so well thought out.
You really know how to connect with your readers.
I love how well-organized and detailed this post is.
This topic is usually confusing, but you made it simple to understand.
You explained it in such a relatable way. Well done!
Your passion for the topic really shines through.
This gave me a whole new perspective on something I thought I already understood. Great explanation and flow!
I’ve bookmarked this post for future reference. Thanks again!
This is one of the best explanations I’ve read on this topic.
Such a simple yet powerful message. Thanks for this.
I appreciate how genuine your writing feels. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve read similar posts, but yours stood out for its clarity.
I love how well-organized and detailed this post is.
This content is really helpful, especially for beginners like me.
This article came at the perfect time for me.
I hadn’t considered this angle before. It’s refreshing!
This is exactly the kind of content I’ve been searching for.
This is one of the best explanations I’ve read on this topic.
Such a simple yet powerful message. Thanks for this.
What a great resource. I’ll be referring back to this often.
Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
Your content never disappoints. Keep up the great work!
Posts like this are why I keep coming back. It’s rare to find content that’s simple, practical, and not full of fluff.
I wasn’t expecting to learn so much from this post!
This article came at the perfect time for me.
This content is gold. Thank you so much!
I’ll definitely come back and read more of your content.
I enjoyed your take on this subject. Keep writing!
Such a thoughtful and well-researched piece. Thank you.
You bring a fresh voice to a well-covered topic.
I love how practical and realistic your tips are.
I like how you presented both sides of the argument fairly.
Thank you for putting this in a way that anyone can understand.
What a helpful and well-structured post. Thanks a lot!
You write with so much clarity and confidence. Impressive!
You always deliver high-quality information. Thanks again!
Thanks for taking the time to break this down step-by-step.
This was a very informative post. I appreciate the time you took to write it.
This post cleared up so many questions for me.
Your articles always leave me thinking.
I’ll be sharing this with a few friends.
I appreciate how genuine your writing feels. Thanks for sharing.
This gave me a whole new perspective. Thanks for opening my eyes.
Your content always adds value to my day.
This post gave me a new perspective I hadn’t considered.
Your breakdown of the topic is so well thought out.
You’ve clearly done your research, and it shows.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This added a lot of value to my day.
This was really well done. I can tell a lot of thought went into making it clear and user-friendly. Keep up the good work!
I hadn’t considered this angle before. It’s refreshing!
This was really well done. I can tell a lot of thought went into making it clear and user-friendly. Keep up the good work!
You clearly know your stuff. Great job on this article.
This was easy to follow, even for someone new like me.
This gave me a whole new perspective on something I thought I already understood. Great explanation and flow!
I love how practical and realistic your tips are.
It’s great to see someone explain this so clearly.
Thank you for putting this in a way that anyone can understand.
This was so insightful. I took notes while reading!
It’s refreshing to find something that feels honest and genuinely useful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in such a clear way.
This was incredibly useful and well written.
What a great resource. I’ll be referring back to this often.
Thanks for making this so reader-friendly.
I enjoyed your take on this subject. Keep writing!
I never thought about it that way before. Great insight!
This made me rethink some of my assumptions. Really valuable post.
I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.
I learned something new today. Appreciate your work!
I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but this turned out to be surprisingly useful. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
This content is really helpful, especially for beginners like me.
I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.
I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.
I’m definitely going to apply what I’ve learned here.
I appreciate how genuine your writing feels. Thanks for sharing.
This was easy to follow, even for someone new like me.
You’ve done a great job with this. I ended up learning something new without even realizing it—very smooth writing!
I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but this turned out to be surprisingly useful. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
You clearly know your stuff. Great job on this article.
I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but this turned out to be surprisingly useful. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Your writing style makes complex ideas so easy to digest.
This was easy to follow, even for someone new like me.
You’ve done a great job with this. I ended up learning something new without even realizing it—very smooth writing!
Such a thoughtful and well-researched piece. Thank you.
You’ve built a lot of trust through your consistency.
You’ve sparked my interest in this topic.
I’ve gained a much better understanding thanks to this post.
This content is really helpful, especially for beginners like me.
You have a real gift for explaining things.
This was incredibly useful and well written.
Your tips are practical and easy to apply. Thanks a lot!
Such a thoughtful and well-researched piece. Thank you.
You bring a fresh voice to a well-covered topic.
You’ve clearly done your research, and it shows.
Very relevant and timely content. Appreciate you sharing this.
Your writing style makes complex ideas so easy to digest.
Great job simplifying something so complex.