We know it’s a bit of a stretch to ask Nollywood to get everything right, but can they at least nail the casting? Whose bright idea was it to cast Kate Henshaw and Deyemi Okanlawon as mother and son, for example?
Anyway, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rank some of the most iconic (and questionable) mother-son duos in Nollywood. Thank goodness for pairings like Tiwa Savage and Olumide Oworu from MTV Shuga, or this list would’ve been a total disaster.
Ireti Doyle and Banky W in “The Wedding Party”
Here’s the thing: Banky W had more drama than any calm, bad-and-boujee mum like Ireti Doyle could ever manage. Honestly, Sola Sobowale would’ve been a better fit for the role—imagine the chaos she would’ve brought. While Ireti gave what she was supposed to give, it was hard to buy into the idea that Banky fell out of her derrière.
Ranking: Ate, but barely.
Kate Henshaw and Deyemi Okanlawon in “Blood Sisters”
Look, Blood Sisters was groundbreaking in many ways, but this casting? Absolutely unforgivable. At best, Kate Henshaw and Deyemi Okanlawon should’ve been playing sugar mummy and sugar baby, not mother and son. The vibes were all wrong, and we won’t be taking feedback on this one.
Ranking: Never again.
Funke Akindele and the Judah Boys in “A Tribe Called Judah”
Yes, the Judah boys loved their mum enough to carry out a heist for her, but love alone couldn’t sell their relationship as a believable mother-son dynamic. Even with all the makeup tricks to make Funke Akindele look older, it was hard to accept her as the mother of these grown AF men. Do better, Nollywood.
Ranking: Never again.
Sola Sobowale and Ademola Adedoyin in “King of Boys”
If you’re doubting how much chemistry Sola Sobowale and Ademola Adedoyin brought to their roles as mother and son, watch the living room scene where she delivered that bombastic hot slap. Nothing screams “classic Nigerian mother-son dynamic” louder.
Ranking: Ate and left no crumbs.
Tina Mba and Timini Egbuson in “Breaded Life”
Sure, Nollywood has overdone the “rich mummy, spoilt son” trope, but Breaded Life still managed to feel fresh. Tina Mba and Timini Egbuson brought humour and heart to their roles, even throwing in a classic Nigerian mother slap for authenticity. It’s the kind of casting we love to see.
Ranking: Ate.
Funke Akindele and Ayomide Abatti in “Maami”
If A Tribe Called Judah didn’t sell Funke Akindele’s range as the mum of five grown men, Maami is the palette cleanser you need. You had to be there in 2012 when Funke showed us she wasn’t just Suliya from Ayetoro, and gave a masterful performance as a struggling single mum. Her dynamic with child actor, Ayomide Abatti, was so convincing that people genuinely thought he was her child IRL.
Ranking: Ate, and we’re still full.
Tiwa Savage and Olumide Oworu in “MTV Shuga”
When MTV Shuga cast African Bad Gyal Tiwa Savage as Olumide Oworu’s bougie mum, we knew it would be one for the books. Their chemistry was so cute that Nigerian kids low-key wished they could ask their mums, “Can’t you see your mate?” Tiwa’s sass and Olumide’s relatable charm made this pairing a hit.
Ranking: Ate, and we’re asking for more.
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