''Man of God'' is a 2022 Nigerian film produced by

Bolanle Austen-Peters Bolanle Austen-Peters (born 4 February 1969), is a Nigerian movie director, theater producer and cultural entrepreneur. She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts and culture center Terra Kulture in Lagos. She has b ...

and starring

Akah Nnani Akah Nnani is a Nigerian actor, TV host, content creator, and YouTuber, well known for his supporting role in ''Banana Island Ghost'', which earned him a nomination at the 14th, and 15th editions of The AMA Awards in the Best Actor in a Support ...

, Osas Ighodaro, Dorcas Shola-Fapson, Prince Nelson Enwerem, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Jude Chukwuka,

Olumide Oworu Olumide Oworu (born December 11, 1994) is a Nigerian actor, model and rapper. Career Oworu attended King's College, Lagos , and the University of Lagos. He graduated from Babcock University in June 2017. Oworu commenced his acting career at the ...

, Mawuli Gavor and many others. Based on the biblical story '' The Prodigal Son'', ''Man of God'' was released on

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...

on 16 April 2022 as

first

branded film.

Synopsis

After growing weary of his strict religious upbringing, Samuel Obalolu (

) leaves his parents' household for university where he completely deviates from

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

and fronts an

Afrobeat Afrobeat is a Nigerian music genre that involves the combination of West African musical styles (such as traditional Yoruba music and highlife) and American funk, jazz, and soul influences, with a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersectin ...

band. His friends include backing singer Rekya ( Dorcas Shola-Fapson) with whom he has the occasional no-strings dalliance, and coursemate Teju ( Osas Ighodaro) who he has known from childhood. Samuel falls for Teju's close friend and fellow church member Joy (Bridget Atlanta Johnson), and the pair become close after he regularly attends fellowship group to impress her, infuriating Teju who is secretly in love with him. Joy is angry and confused when her pastor BJ ( Prince Nelson Enwerem) reveals Samuel is

televangelist Televangelism ( tele- "distance" and "evangelism," meaning " ministry," sometimes called teleministry) is the use of media, specifically radio and television, to communicate Christianity. Televangelists are ministers, whether official or self-pr ...

Josiah Obalolu's (Jude Chukwuka) son, but Samuel gradually wins her back. She graduates from university and begins her youth service, but promises their love would endure the distance. When her emails become less frequent, Pastor BJ reveals Joy is now married to Zach, an Abuja-based fellow preacher Joy had first met at the church's graduation service. Samuel is depressed and heartbroken, and with Rekya no longer present (She has dropped out of university), Teju stands by him. Nine years later, Samuel - now in a rebound marriage with Teju - is worship leader at their new church, but constantly clashes with the bishop's wife (

Eucharia Anunobi Eucharia Anunobi, (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian actress, producer, and pastor. She is best known for her role in the movie '' Abuja Connection''. She was nominated at 2020 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a ...

) who disapproves of his secularity. After the bishop (

Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle (born 6 April 1953) is a Scottish film composer with Irish heritage. A longtime collaborator of actor-director Kenneth Branagh, Doyle is known for his work composing for films such as ''Henry V'', '' Sense and Sensibility'', ''Haml ...

) questions his promiscuity with female church members, Samuel heatedly resigns from his position. Teju later discovers that Josephine - Samuel's secret mistress from church - has aborted her pregnancy, and the revelation places a strain on their marriage. When Rekya returns to Nigeria after a sojourn abroad where she has dealt in drug trafficking and

organ trade Organ trade (also known as Red market) is the trading of human organs, tissues, or other body products, usually for transplantation.(Carney, Scott. 2011. "The Red Market." Wired 19, no. 2: 112–1. Internet and Personal Computing Abstracts.) Acc ...

, Samuel reinvents himself as a Christian minister under the moniker "Sammy King" and joins Rekya's business, both for financial gain. Samuel's brother Daniel (

) informs him that their mother, who had spent years pining for her prodigal son, has died, but warns him to repent. Samuel also reconnects with Joy when Zach joins his church as a sound engineer. He begs her to leave her husband for him, but she refuses, and he is devastated when the

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

inform him that Rekya has died. After Teju discovers her husband is planning to leave for

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

without her, she takes revenge by reporting his illegal involvement in Rekya's criminal activity to the authorities. Josephine's sister had previously informed the police of the abortion which had led to her death, and Samuel is finally arrested. After his release from prison, Samuel walks into his father's church and finds the latter preaching. Josiah recognises his son, and along with Daniel, welcomes him home with open arms.

Selected cast

as Samuel Obalolu/Sammy King * Osas Ighodaro as Teju Williams *Jude Chukwuka as Prophet Josaiah Obalolu *

Ayo Mogaji Binta Ayo Mogaji is a veteran Nigerian actress. According to the film critic Shaibu Husseini, Mogaji has been a part of at least 800 films, television shows, and theater productions. Personal life Born in 1964, Mogaji is a native of Agbo-Ile, ...

as Mummy Samuel *

as Daniel Obalolu *

as Bishop Asuquo * Mawuli Gavor as Pastor Zach * Dorcas Shola-Fapson as Rekya *Atlanta Bridget Johnson as Joy * Prince Nelson Enwerem as Pastor BJ Bolanle Austen-Peters makes a cameo as herself.

Premiere

''Man of God'' was premiered on Sunday, 10th April 2022 at the Terra Kulture Arena in

Victoria Island, Lagos Victoria Island (VI) is an affluent area that encompasses a former island of the same name neighbouring Lagos Island, Ikoyi and the Lekki Peninsula by the Lagos Lagoon. It is the main business and financial centre of Lagos State, Nigeria. ...

, the theme of the premiere was "Heavenly Glam" as the premiere saw the cast, friends, celebrities dress in line with the selected theme. The premiere was star-studded as it was anchored jointly by broadcaster, Laila Johnson-Salami, and OAP Olisa Adibua, in attendance was the former

First Bank of Nigeria First Bank of Nigeria Limited is a Nigerian multinational bank and financial services company in Lagos, Nigeria. It is the premier bank in West Africa. The First Bank of Nigeria Limited operates as a parent company, with the subsidiaries 'FBN B ...

's Chairman, Ibukun Awosika, Former Lagos State Commissioner for Information Tourism and Culture, Steve Ayorinde popular actresses,

Joke Silva Joke Silva , MFR is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. In 1998 she had a major role, starring opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film ''The Secret Laughter of Women''. In 2006, she won " Best Actress in ...

, Hilda Dokubo, Ireti Doyle. Nigerian Actors and Actresses such as

Daniel Etim Effiong Daniel Etim Effiong, also Daniel Etim-Effiong is a Nigerian Nollywood actor and film director. Life and education He was born in Jaji, Kaduna State, Nigeria and had lived in Benin City, Edo State; Lagos State and Abuja. His dad was in the Niger ...

, Erica Nlewedim, Deyemi Okanlawon, Tade Ogidan, Denrele Edun among others also graced the premiere occasion.

Awards and nominations

References

{{reflist 2022 films English-language Netflix original films English-language Nigerian films 2020s English-language films