Picture this: characters gathered onscreen, converged for one reason or another. Everything seems fine, or relatively fine, until a new element crashes into the plot. A dead body. Suddenly, shock ripples through the cast, alliances form, suspicions flare, and maybe more bodies follow. With a killer on the loose, it is up to one character, or several, to figure out whodunnit.
That is the murder mystery genre in a nutshell, and it is a widely popular one. In the context of Nollywood, however, not so much. Over the years, the industry has produced only a handful of true murder mysteries, the kind that have you playing armchair detective as you try to beat the characters to the reveal.
We are not recommending these films as “the best” examples of the genre. Rather, they are worth watching because there is little else locally to compare them to, making them a rare and unusual foray into an underutilized genre in Nigerian film and television.
October 1
In 2014, Kunle Afolayan directed and starred in October 1, a mystery film set during the weeks leading up to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Inspector Danladi Waziri (Sadiq Daba) arrives in Akote to catch a killer of young women.
There is pressure on Waziri from the British authorities to solve the case before the handover of power on October 1, making it a race against time. It is a solid murder mystery told through the lens of Nigerian history, and it is one of the top entries on this—admittedly short—list.
The CEO
The CEO follows five top-level staff from across Africa who are chosen for a retreat at a breezy, beachside resort. It is the usual corporate retreat shenanigans, with a healthy dose of rivalry thrown in, as each of them competes to be named CEO. The retreat is overseen by Dr. Zimmerman (the magnificent Angelique Kidjo, with commanding screen presence).
Things turn deadly when the participants begin to die one by one. Who will be the last one standing to receive the title? Who is murdering them, and why? These questions will keep you glued to your seat until the very end.
The Party
This three part, Netflix whodunit is the most recent entry on the list. A big nighttime birthday party is in full swing when a body drops from the balcony. It is Akinbobola “Bobo” Balogun (Kunle Remi), the wealthy, fun-loving birthday celebrant—husband, son, and friend.
Soon, detectives arrive at the scene and order everyone to stay put while they gather evidence and ask questions. As they do, it becomes clear that, while Bobo had many friends and admirers, he was not as great or well-loved as he appeared. And there was more than one person who had a reason to want him dead.
Catch.er
In Catch.er, a woman named Abby is murdered in her home. Her husband seems like the most likely suspect. But as detectives Komolafe and John investigate her death, they realize that her husband isn’t the only suspect and that things about the case just aren’t adding up.
The cast includes Beverly Naya, Alex Ekubo, Blossom Chukwujeku, and OC Ukeje.
A Weekend to Forget
Sometimes a friend group reunion ends in murder. That is the premise of A Weekend to Forget, in which seven friends gather for a weekend of fun and poolside sun. There is the usual drama and tension, but also the death of Lisa (Uche Montana), which sends the remaining group into chaos.
As is typical of the genre, they all have motives and are quick to cast blame on each other. There is no detective here, just the characters trying to figure out what happened on their own.
Sanitation Day
Sanitation Day takes place in Baba Risi’s compound, home to tenants from varying backgrounds who frequently clash. When they discover the body of a young man one sanitation day, two inspectors with very different approaches—Hassan (Blossom Chukwujekwu) and Stanley (Elozonam Ogbolu)—arrive to investigate.
The tenants are all suspects, each with a possible motive. Technically, this film is not a true whodunit, as it frustratingly takes another tack and turns into a heist film in the last twenty minutes.
Hotel Labamba
Hotel Labamba is a 2023 Nigerian crime-comedy that unfolds within the walls of the upscale Hotel Labamba catering to the wealthy and well-connected. The story kicks off when a popular Instagram influencer, Ella (Lilian Afegbai), who’s visiting the hotel with her lover, Big Berry (Lateef Adedimeji), is found murdered. Her death throws the hotel into disarray as detectives descend to investigate, casting suspicion on everyone from guests to staff.
As hidden motives emerge and tension mounts among the diverse cast of characters, the race is on to identify the killer before the situation spirals further.
