Set for a cinema release in May 2026, the film marks Balogun’s return as both actor and producer—her first production since Iya Aladuke in 2013. This time, she takes on the lead role of Efunroye Tinubu, a woman known for her sharp political instincts, business acumen and outsized influence in 19th-century Yorubaland.
Beyond the history, Efunroye feels like a full-circle moment. Balogun belongs to the generation that helped build the Yoruba movie sector from the ground up, alongside peers who have since gone on to dominate modern Nigerian cinema and the box office. Her return with a big-screen historical drama places her firmly back in the conversation about the women shaping Nollywood today—this time with a story that mirrors her own staying power.
Over the years, Balogun has built a solid reputation as one of the most recognisable faces of Yoruba-language cinema, with memorable performances in films such as Omo Ale, Aje Metta and Iya Aladuke. Her work has also earned recognition beyond the local circuit, including two wins at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, placing her among the most decorated actresses to emerge from the Yoruba sector of Nollywood. That blend of longevity, credibility and quiet star power makes Efunroye feel less like a comeback and more like a continuation.
The film is directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami, working alongside veteran filmmaker Abbey Lanre. Together, they bring a familiar Yoruba-language sensibility to a story designed for the cinema, blending cultural detail with cinematic scale.
With its release, Efunroye will also become the second major Nigerian biopic spearheaded by a woman, following Olufunmilayo, the 2024 film by Bolanle Austen-Peters. It is another sign that more women are increasingly shaping how Nigerian history reaches the screen—and whose stories are placed at the centre.
As anticipation builds toward its May 2026 release, Efunroye is shaping up to be more than just a period film. It’s a comeback, a statement and a reminder that some stories—and some careers—are simply waiting for the right moment to return.
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy