EXCLUSIVE: Here’s the first trailer from The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, which has just been announced as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Centrepiece program.
The Nigerian film, which will world premiere at TIFF next month, is the feature adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s internationally acclaimed 2010 novel of the same name. It produced by EbonyLife Films, the film strand of Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Group, in partnership with Genesis Media Group, Nile Media Entertainment Group, Silverbird Group and Flytime Entertainment.
Set within a seemingly harmonious polygamous household, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives follows Baba Segi, a wealthy patriarch with three wives, seven children and a carefully maintained family order. The arrival of his youngest wife, Bolanle, unsettles the fragile balance within the household, setting into motion a series of revelations that expose long-buried secrets, hidden betrayals and truths capable of destroying the family forever. The film explores universal themes of love, power, jealousy, identity, survival and the complex relationships that bind families together.
Directed by Daniel Oriahi (The Weekend, Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo), the film stars Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye and Omowunmi Dada. The supporting cast includes: Nkechi Blessing, Bimbo Manuel, Bisola Aiyeola, Olarotimi Fakunle, Constance Olatunde and Maleek Sanni, with special appearances from Daniel Etim-Effiong, Kunle Remi, Uzor Arukwe, Tina Mba, Nancy Isime, Blessing Nze, Mike Ezuruonye, Bolaji Ogunmola and Binta Mogaji.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives marks EbonyLife Films’ return to theatrical cinema, with the company eyeing a December 4, 2026 release across Nigeria and additional international territories, including the UK where EbonyLife Cinemas is scheduled to open in October this year.
EbonyLife Films is behind projects such as Fifty, The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency, Baby Farm, Blood Sisters, Òlòtūre, Elesin Oba, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and Dust to Dreams. The company is the first production company on the African continent to enter a multi-title creative partnership with Netflix.
“We are honored that The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives has been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival,” said Abudu. “Authenticity was at the heart of every creative decision we made, which is why we chose to tell this story predominantly in Yoruba. It is the language these characters speak, live and love in, and preserving that authenticity was essential while bringing this powerful story to audiences around the world.”
Nile Entertainment Group CEO Moses Babatope added: “To be selected by the Toronto International Film Festival from more than 9,000 submissions and to be part of the prestigious Centrepiece program is truly an honor for The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. We are a proud partner with EbonyLife Films in bringing this remarkable film to audiences around the world.”
Check out the full trailer above.