Lisabi: The Uprising
Promotional release poster
Yoruba	Lísàbí: Arugbo naa
Genre	Historical drama
Screenplay by	Niyi Akinmolayan Yinka Olaoye
Story by	Lateef Adedimeji Adebayo Tijani
Directed by	Niyi Akinmolayan
Starring	Lateef Adedimeji Adebowale Adedayo Adebimpe Oyebade Odunlade Adekola Ibrahim Chatta
Music by	Tolu Obanro
Country of origin	Nigeria
Original languages	Yoruba English
Production
Executive producer	Lateef Adedimeji
Producers	Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji Victoria Akujobi
Running time	107 minutes
Production companies	Al Notions Studios Anthill Studios
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	27 September 2024 (2024-09-27)

Lisabi: The Uprising is a 2024 Nigerian historical drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, and produced by Adebimpe Oyebade and Victoria Akujobi. The cast features Lateef Adedimeji, Adebimpe Oyebade, Ibrahim Chatta, Jide Awobona, Eniola Ajao, and Adebowale Adedayo. The plot follows Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, a farmer-driven to vengeance after witnessing the brutal killing of his close friend by the Alaafin of Oyo and his ally, Songodeyi. The film is loosely based on the historic 18th-century Lisabi Rebellion of Abeokuta.

In addition to directing, Niyi Akinmolayan collaborated with Yinka Olaoye on the screenplay, working closely with Al Notions Studios and Anthill Studios to incorporate advanced motion capture and VFX effects. The film was primarily shot in Abeokuta and surrounding areas in Ogun State, Nigeria, This location choice was significant for capturing the authentic setting of pre-colonial southwestern Nigeria, aligning with the historical narrative of the Egba people's resistance against the Oyo Empire.^[1]

Lisabi: The Uprising premiered on Netflix in Nigeria on 27 September 2024, receiving praise for its visually captivating scenes and period-accurate details. However, some critics noted challenges with the balance between character development and action pacing. Despite mixed reviews in this regard, the film climbed to the number one spot on Netflix's Nigeria film chart within three days of its release.^[2]

King Olodan, the ruler of the Olodan kingdom, refuses to pay the heavy tributes demanded by the Alaafin ruler of the Oyo Empire. He is savagely beaten and dragged to the palace. The tributes, consisting of money and farm produce, are forcibly taken from the people's hard-earned businesses. Enraged by Olodan's rebellion, the Alaafin of Oyo orders his execution, making him an example for any who dare to resist.

Songodeyi, the ruthless head of the tribute collectors, alongside his brutal subordinates, terrorizes the Egba people, despite their compliance with the tribute demands. Their cruelty has no bounds—they take more than what is owed, rape young women, and kill anyone who dares to resist their tyranny. As their oppression worsens day by day, life becomes unbearable for the farmers and villagers of Egba land.

Oshokenu, a close friend of the hardworking farmer Lisabi, witnesses a disturbing incident where the collectors, after seizing all the money from a businesswoman, take her daughter as well. Outraged by their cruelty, Oshokenu boldly questions the injustice, asking, "Why do you take only women Men should go with them too." For his defiance, the tribute collectors brutally punished him, marking his face in a public display of their power.

Though known as a lazy farmer, Oshokenu seeks to marry Abebi (played by Liquorose), a beautiful, light-skinned woman from Egba. With Lisabi's help, he successfully wins her over, and Abebi agrees to the marriage. However, Songodeyi and his men, determined to crush Oshokenu's spirit, target him on his wedding day. As Abebi makes her way to her new home, she is ambushed by Songodeyi and viciously raped. Devastated by the trauma and shame, Abebi tragically takes her own life.

Enraged by Abebi's fate, Oshokenu sets out on a mission for revenge. In a dramatic confrontation, he manages to kill ten of the tribute collectors before being fatally shot. As he lies dying, Lisabi arrives at the scene. With his last breath, Oshokenu pleads with his friend. Moved by his friend's dying wish, Lisabi takes it upon himself to lead the Egba people in their fight for justice. He devises a plan for the farmers to work together in a communal farming effort, giving the illusion of unity and compliance to avoid suspicion from the Oyo forces. However, beneath this facade, Lisabi harbors a greater intention—uniting the Egba people for a full-scale rebellion against their oppressors.

With his strategic brilliance and leadership, Lisabi forms the Aaro society, a communal work group that secretly becomes the backbone of the uprising. As tensions rise between the Egba and their Oyo overlords, Lisabi organizes a covert rebellion. The uprising reaches its climax in a series of fierce and dramatic battles, where the Egba successfully overthrow the Oyo forces, securing their long-awaited independence.

• Main characters: (left to right) Lateef Adedimeji, Odunlade Adekola and Mr Macaroni

• Lateef Adedimeji as Lisabi, a farmer and warrior who led the Egba people to victory.
• Ibrahim Chatta as Songodeyi, the ruthless head of the tax collectors, who, along with his brutal subordinates, terrorizes the Egba people.
• Adebowale Adedayo as Osokenu, a drunkard and close friend of Lisabi, the farmer.
• Odunlade Adekola as Alaafin of Oyo (Oloyo), King of the United Oyo Empire
• Femi Adebayo as Olu Olodan, King of the Olodan kingdom
• Roseline Afije "Liquorose" as Abebi, Osokenu's lover and Ikeola's best friend
• Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji as Ikeola, a businesswoman and Lisabi's cousin
• Ibrahim Yekini Icon as Salako
• Olarotimi Michael Fakunle as Ogunlana
• Jide Awobona as Osobande
• Gabriel Afolayan as Odunbamitefa
• Kola Ajeyemi as Akinolu
• Boma Akpore as Osogbenro
• Olumide Oworu as Bejide
• Kevin Ikeduba as Obimodede
• Seun Akindele as Oduyale
• Muyiwa Ademola as Alake
• Jide Kosoko as Onitumọ
• Atobiloye Kelvin as Akilapa
• Efe Irele as Eye
• Seun Ajayi as Olo Olori Ilari
• Damilola Ogunsi as Jogbo
• Eniola T. Ajao as Orosola
• Deyemi Okanlawon as New General (Aronimoja)
• Jaiye Kuti as Edioke

Lisabi: The Uprising was filmed entirely in the Yoruba language, a language that is spoken in West Africa, primarily in Southwestern and Central Nigeria. It is spoken by the Yoruba people.^[3][4] with the screenplay by Niyi Akinmolayan and Yinka Olaoye. Directed by Akinmolayan, who is known for The Wedding Party 2 (2017), Chief Daddy (2018), Prophetess (2021), My Village People (2021), and The Set Up (2019), the film was produced by Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji and Victoria Akujobi, with Lateef Adedimeji serving as executive producer. Akinmolayan highlighted that the entire production crew consisted of Nigerian talent.^[5]

Produced by Al Notions Studios and Anthill Studios, the film received support from the Nigerian Film Corporation and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to help promote Nigerian history and culture to a global audience.^[7]

Lisabi: The Uprising was primarily filmed in Abeokuta and the surrounding areas within Ogun State, Nigeria. This location choice was significant for capturing the authentic setting of pre-colonial southwestern Nigeria, using meticulously designed sets and costumes to capture the historical period. aligning with the historical narrative of the Egba people's resistance against the Oyo Empire,^[8] which emphasizes the local cultural importance and historical relevance that Abeokuta holds with the story of Lisabi.^[9]

Special effects for Lisabi: The Uprising was led by Hakeem Onilogbo, Nollywood's special effects artist. Onilogbo’s expertise brought depth to the film’s Yoruba tribal marks, costumes, and other elements of art direction, contributing to its authentic period portrayal. Post-production visual effects were provided by Akinmolayan Anthill Studios, including the CGI creature design, enhancing the film’s visual appeal with advanced CGI techniques to create immersive historical settings.^[10]

Nigerian film composer Tolu Obanro was brought on board to create the score for Lisabi: The Uprising following his work on Jagun Jagun.^[11][12] The score was crafted using traditional Yoruba melodies, and Obanro employed various techniques to achieve a rich soundscape for the film. He noted, “Many techniques were used in mixing Lisabi’s sound. I aimed for depth in all the scenes, including sound effects. There was also crowd recording and soundscaping.” He further emphasized the importance of orchestration for the film’s dynamic action sequences, stating, “Even silence is a form of sound; it needs proper orchestral support.”^[13]

On 23 August 2024, Netflix announced its acquisition of the distribution rights for Niyi Akinmolayan's latest film, Lisabi: The Uprising, which was originally slated for release on 22 September 2024, at the 12 June Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.^[14][7] In the same statement, Netflix revealed that a sequel titled Lisabi: A Legend is Born is scheduled for release in January 2025.^[15] The film was released on 27 September 2024.^[16]

The film climbed to the number one spot on Netflix's Nigeria film chart in Nigeria within just three days of its release, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).^[2]

Confidence Cletus of Premium Times lauded Ibrahim Chatta's powerful portrayal of the ruthless tribute collector, Songodeyi, in his review. He remarked that Chatta's performance "radiated pure intensity, delivering 100 percent action." Cletus emphasized how Chatta infused the character with life, suspense, and a commanding presence, surpassing all expectations and leaving "no room for improvement." Cletus also highlighted Lateef Adedimeji's performance as Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, commending his stellar production and acting. He noted that Adedimeji "seized every opportunity to deliver a remarkable performance," contributing to what he described as one of the standout Nollywood films of 2024. Overall, Cletus awarded the film a commendable 8/10 rating, recognizing its exceptional performances and production quality.^[12]

Muhibat Sulaimon of Lifestyle The Cable described the film as a "spectacle with small flaws" and commended the performances of Ibrahim Chatta, Odunlade Adekola, Mr. Macaroni, Liquorose, and Lateef Adedimeji. Sulaimon praised the professionalism in the costume design and tribal mark effects but pointed out shortcomings in some of the visual effects (VFX). For example, the beheading of Sangodeyi was criticized for lacking realism, as there was no proper depiction of blood flow, making it look static "like a tree." Additionally, the transformation of Lisabi's helpmates into animals was noted as underwhelming and lacking realism. Overall, Sulaimon gave the film a 7/10 rating.^[17]

Noghama Ehioghae of African Folder praised the film's costumes in her review, highlighting the rich cultural elements and the added authenticity brought by the subtle inclusion of a camel. However, she critiqued the film for being more of a traditional biopic, suggesting that it could have been more captivating. She remarked, "The film lacked suspense and gripping moments," except Osokenu's death and the battle between Lisabi and Songodeyi. Ultimately, Ehioghae gave the movie a rating of 5.2 out of 10.^[18]

The Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful West African states at the time, exerted significant control over many neighboring peoples, including the Egba. This control was marked by heavy tribute demands and forced labor. The Egba people, residing primarily in what is now southwestern Nigeria, were subjected to various forms of exploitation by the Oyo rulers, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and a desire for autonomy.^[19]

Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a prominent Egba leader, emerged as a key figure during this period of resistance. Born in Itoku, a district in Abeokuta, Lisabi was noted for his intelligence, leadership skills, and military prowess.^[20] He secretly organized the Aaro, a traditional Egba age-group society, to serve as the core of the resistance movement. Under the guise of traditional communal work, Lisabi trained and armed the Egba men, preparing them for a large-scale revolt against Oyo domination.^[21]

The uprising, known as Lisabi's Rebellion, was strategically planned and executed. In a coordinated attack, Lisabi and his followers launched a series of strikes against the Oyo Empire's garrison forces stationed in Egba territory. These surprise attacks were swift and devastating, resulting in the decimation of Oyo's local power and infrastructure in the region.^[22][23]

Lisabi's strategy relied on guerilla tactics, which involved a combination of ambushes and hit-and-run raids, making it difficult for the Oyo forces to retaliate effectively. Within a short period, the Egba people had overthrown Oyo's control and declared their independence.^[24]

In present-day Nigeria, Lisabi is a revered historical figure, particularly among the Egba people. His story is taught in schools, and his role in Egba's history is celebrated through cultural events, monuments, and storytelling.^[19] The annual Lisabi Festival is marked by traditional music, dances, and reenactments of the uprising, serving as both a celebration of Egba heritage and a reminder of the importance of self-determination.^[25]

• Lisabi: The Uprising at IMDb