From “Tenants Of The House” To “Madagali”: Okediran Expands His Literary Vision Through African Cinema
A Literary Adaptation Takes Centre Stage at an African Film Festival
THE 3rd African Indigenous Language Film Festival (AILFF 2026) in Parakou, Benin Republic, became more than a celebration of African-language cinema. It also served as a platform for highlighting the growing influence of literary adaptations in shaping contemporary African filmmaking. One of the festival’s defining moments was the special screening of Tenants of the House, the political drama produced by writer and culture administrator, Dr. Wale Okediran, and directed by celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
The film attracted enthusiastic responses from festival delegates, filmmakers, students and cinema enthusiasts, reinforcing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed political dramas. The screening also demonstrated how stories rooted in Nigerian realities can resonate with audiences across linguistic and national boundaries when presented through compelling storytelling and strong cinematic craftsmanship.
When Literature Becomes Cinema
Adapted from Okediran’s novel of the same title, Tenants of the House illustrates the increasing collaboration between Nigeria’s literary and film industries. Rather than simply translating a novel to the screen, the production reinterprets its political themes through visual storytelling while preserving the depth of the original narrative.
Screenwriter Tunde Babalola transforms the novel into a screenplay that combines political intrigue with emotional drama. Director Kunle Afolayan complements the script with his distinctive visual style, creating a film that explores governance, leadership and national identity without sacrificing entertainment value.
The adaptation reflects a broader trend in African cinema, where filmmakers increasingly draw inspiration from literary works to produce stories with cultural authenticity and international appeal.
Politics, Identity & the Human Cost of Power
At the centre of the film is Hon. Samuel Bakura, an idealistic legislator whose commitment to public service is repeatedly tested by political ambition, institutional pressures and ethical dilemmas.
His interactions with fellow lawmaker Hon. Elizabeth Bello expose the complexities of legislative politics, coalition building and power negotiation within Nigeria’s democratic system.
Running alongside the political storyline is a deeply personal narrative involving Samuel’s relationship with Batejo, a Fulani woman whose presence introduces themes of ethnicity, cultural diversity and national integration.
One of the film’s most memorable sequences—the traditional Fulani Sharo initiation ceremony—serves not only as a cultural representation but also as a metaphor for sacrifice, endurance and the difficult choices often required in the pursuit of unity and leadership.
Promoting Indigenous Languages Through Film
The choice of Tenants of the House for screening at AILFF carried particular symbolic significance. The festival is dedicated to promoting indigenous African languages and encouraging filmmakers to preserve local cultures through cinema.
By integrating Hausa alongside English, the film reflects Nigeria’s linguistic diversity while enhancing the authenticity of its characters and settings. This multilingual approach also demonstrates that indigenous languages can strengthen storytelling rather than limit a film’s commercial or international potential.
For festival organisers, such productions reinforce the role of cinema in preserving cultural heritage and expanding appreciation for African identities beyond the continent.
A New Chapter Begins with Madagali
The festival also became the stage for another major announcement. Building on the success of Tenants of the House, Dr. Okediran revealed plans to adapt his more recent novel, Madagali, into a feature film.
The project is currently entering its development phase, with the veteran author actively seeking investors, production partners, distributors and other collaborators. The announcement follows the book’s reading tour across the United Kingdom in late 2025, where it attracted attention among literary audiences interested in African narratives.
Although details of the adaptation remain limited, the proposed production signals Okediran’s continued commitment to transforming socially relevant literature into accessible visual storytelling capable of reaching wider audiences.
Expanding African Stories Beyond the Continent
The momentum surrounding Tenants of the House extends beyond film festivals. The political drama is now streaming on the United States-based platform WildHorse TV, making it accessible to audiences across the African diaspora and international viewers interested in African cinema.
Its availability on a global digital platform reflects broader changes within the creative industry, where streaming services increasingly provide African filmmakers with opportunities to reach audiences far beyond traditional theatrical distribution.
For Nigerian cinema, such developments represent growing international recognition of locally produced stories grounded in African realities.
Strengthening the Bridge Between Literature & Film
The success of Tenants of the House and the announcement of Madagali illustrate the expanding relationship between African literature and cinema. Rather than functioning as separate creative industries, publishing and filmmaking are increasingly reinforcing one another by introducing literary works to new audiences through screen adaptations.
For Dr. Wale Okediran, the festival marked both a celebration of an existing achievement and the beginning of another ambitious creative journey. For African cinema, it reaffirmed the enduring value of stories rooted in local cultures, indigenous languages and authentic social experiences, demonstrating that such narratives possess both continental relevance and global appeal.
