By Peter Dansu By Peter Dansu Veteran filmmaker and former Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Mr. Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, has strongly con...
By Peter Dansu By Peter Dansu
Veteran filmmaker and former Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Mr. Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, has strongly condemned a yet-to-be-released film bearing a title that he says unjustly tarnishes the image of Badagry — a historic and culturally rich town in Lagos State. The film, whose title has sparked outrage among locals and cultural advocates, was ultimately halted from release by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
Reacting in a statement shared by his brother, Lagos State Police Spokesman CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, via his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, July 4, Alabi-Hundeyin said he was stunned when the title of the film first came to his attention.
“At first, I thought it was a prank. Then I started seeing it as a sponsored promo,” he said. “I couldn't believe a creatively shallow producer would sit somewhere and decide to malign the image and dignity of one of the most historically precious places on the African continent.”
Badagry, he said, is a peaceful, welcoming land that has played a vital role in Nigeria's cultural and historical narrative. Hundeyin said he considered legal options, including seeking a court injunction or filing a formal petition with the NFVCB. However, he chose to place a direct call to the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, whom he described as a respected and principled professional in the creative industry.
To his relief, Dr. Husseini informed him that the board had already received a petition from a group of concerned Badagry indigenes. While the petitioners were not named, Alabi-Hundeyin praised their swift action in defending the town’s reputation.
The film’s producers, according to the NFVCB, claimed they chose the controversial title simply because the movie was shot in Badagry — a justification Alabi-Hundeyin described as “very unprofessional.”
He drew comparisons with other global productions, noting that many films shot in California’s deserts, for instance, do not use the region’s name in titles that might imply negative narratives. He also recalled a similar past incident where the sacred Eyo masquerade of Lagos was wrongly portrayed as armed robbers in a film — sparking public outrage and eventual withdrawal of the movie.
Praising Dr. Husseini's prompt action, Alabi-Hundeyin said the NFVCB boss immediately cancelled the film's scheduled classification, which would have taken place on July 4 — a necessary step before any public release. Unless the producers change the film’s title, it will not be approved for distribution in Nigeria.
According to the police spokesperson, the film’s storyline has no connection to Badagry, making the use of the town’s name even more inappropriate.
He also took the opportunity to highlight Badagry’s contributions to Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors. From Grammy-winning drummer Babatunde Olatunji of Ajido to his own historic achievement as the youngest Nigerian to direct a celluloid film at age 30, he noted that Badagry has produced many cultural icons.
“My film Iyawo Alhaji in 1992 was the first ever to be censored by the NVCB,” he said, reflecting on the town’s long-standing presence in Nigeria’s creative history.
While encouraging filmmakers from all backgrounds to use Badagry's scenic beauty for creative projects, he issued a clear warning: “You are welcome to our land — but do not malign and trample on the image and identity of the people.”
With the NFVCB’s firm stance and community pushback, the controversy appears to have been decisively resolved. “It is settled,” Alabi-Hundeyin declared.
Dead on arrival!
— CSP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) July 4, 2025
My attention was drawn to the ugly title of the film below. At first I thought it was a prank. Then I started seeing it as sponsored promo. I can't believe one creatively shalow producer will just sit somewhere and choose to malign the image and dignity of one… pic.twitter.com/ZZnzpZYnUN
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