By Peter Dansu In a major development following widespread backlash, the producer of the controversial Nollywood film originally titled Ba...
By Peter Dansu
In a major development following widespread backlash, the producer of the controversial Nollywood film originally titled Badagry: I Bad, I Gree has announced a change of title and issued a public apology to the people of Badagry.
The film, which had sparked intense criticism from cultural advocates, community leaders, and concerned citizens, was accused of misrepresenting the historic town of Badagry—widely regarded as a symbol of peace, heritage, and resilience in Nigerian history.
In a press release issued today, Destiny Austine Omon, the producer of the film and Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Movie Producers, Ghana Chapter, acknowledged the concerns raised by the public and expressed sincere regret over the unintended cultural offense caused by the film’s initial title.
“We acknowledge the emotional and cultural significance of the name Badagry and sincerely apologise to the people of the town, city, and tribe for any distress or misinterpretation the former title may have caused,” Omon said.
He clarified that the creative direction of the film was never intended to reference or depict the realities of Badagry or its people. According to him, the storyline is a fictional narrative exploring personal identity and societal struggles, without any link to a specific community, ethnic group, or geographical location.
In response to the public outcry and following guidance from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the film has now been officially retitled I BAD.
“We want to reassure the public—especially the people of Badagry—that the film’s storyline, characters, and themes bear no connection to their community, history, or values,” the statement continued.
The producers also used the moment to thank members of the public for their feedback, describing it as “constructive” and instrumental in correcting the course of the project. They reaffirmed their commitment to responsible storytelling and cultural sensitivity.
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| The new title |
To mark this new chapter, the VIP premiere of I BAD is scheduled to take place today, July 4, at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road, Benin City. Industry stakeholders, cast members, and supporters of the production are expected to attend the exclusive screening.
The swift action by the producers has been met with cautious optimism by cultural stakeholders, many of whom had demanded accountability and a more respectful representation of the historic West African town.
With this apology and title change, the filmmakers hope to move forward in good faith and repair the relationship with affected communities while encouraging continued dialogue around representation in media.
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