Some films make a big splash at announcement — trailers drop, star-studded casts are unveiled, social media buzz takes off — and then… nothing. In Nollywood, where distribution bottlenecks and funding delays can stall even the most promising projects, several highly anticipated titles have been announced in recent years but remain unreleased. Here are nine films that had us waiting — and are still keeping us waiting.
Finding Messiah
When the five-minute trailer for Finding Messiah dropped, it didn’t just cause a stir — it ignited TikTok recreations and online speculation. The film, directed by Oscar Heman-Ackah, is set in the fictional Republic of Zambay, an ancient African civilisation with its own culture, language, and belief systems. The trailer hinted at a sweeping, high-concept epic rarely seen in Nollywood. It stars Pete Edochie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Alex Usifo, and Ejike Asiegbu, as well as veteran galala singer Daddy Showkey, Sunshine Rosman, Bucci Franklin, and Uzi Kwednu. Despite the excitement it generated, the film has yet to secure a release date or provide any updates since the trailer was released. For now, its fate hangs in the air.
77: The Festac Conspiracy
Billed as a sequel to ‘76’, ‘77’: The Festac Conspiracy was expected to be a major cinematic event. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Izu Ojukwu and written by Olisa Eloka, the film is set two days before the start of the Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977. It follows an aggrieved ex-serviceman who is drawn into a conspiracy aimed at disrupting the political order of the continent. With Ramsey Nouah and Rita Dominic cast in lead roles and the legacy of 76 behind it, expectations were high. But since its announcement, no trailers, production updates, or release details have surfaced, leaving fans to wonder if the film will ever make it to screen.
I Do Not Come to You By Chance
An adaptation of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s award-winning novel, I Do Not Come to You By Chance, follows Kingsley Ibe, a young man burdened with familial responsibilities in a time of economic hardship. Desperate, he finds himself drawn into the world of email scamming. The film is directed by Ishaya Bako and executive produced by Genevieve Nnaji, which alone brought major buzz. It stars Paul Nnadiekwe and Blossom Chukwujekwu, and during its screening at AFRIFF, it received a warm response. However, despite the strong reception and the star power behind it, the film has yet to receive a wider theatrical or streaming release, leaving fans in limbo.
Eko Miami
Announced in 2023, Eko Miami promised a vibrant story rooted in Lagos’ nightlife and the chaos of early-pandemic uncertainty. The film follows a young Nigerian man who returns from the UK with plans to invest in the buzzing Afrobeats scene by throwing one of the biggest parties in Lagos. But just as the event gains traction online, the COVID-19 outbreak threatens everything — his business, his investment, and his sanity. Directed by Kayode Kasum and starring Efa Iwara, Uzor Arukwe, Veeiye, Ireti Doyle, and Daniel Etim Effiong, the project had all the ingredients for a hit. But over a year since its announcement, there’s been no follow-up content — no trailers, stills, or press updates — and fans are starting to wonder if it ever wrapped production.
Sugar Rush 2
After the runaway success of the first ‘Sugar Rush’, a sequel seemed inevitable. The original film, directed by Kayode Kasum and written by Jade Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye, featured an electric trio — Bisola Aiyeola, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Bimbo Ademoye — and became one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of its time. So, when the three stars were spotted on set in 2022, fans assumed the sequel was well underway. But since then, there’s been no trailer, promotional content, or official release window. With such a commercially viable IP, the silence is baffling — and frustrating for fans eager to see the Sugar Sisters return to the big screen.
To Kill a Monkey
Directed by Kemi Adetiba and teased by Netflix over a year ago, To Kill a Monkey tells the story of Efemini, a down-on-his-luck everyman whose life spirals after a fateful reunion with an old friend. Forced into cybercrime, he begins compromising his morals to survive and thrive in this new world. The film stars Bucci Franklin, Stella Damasus, and William Benson. Yet, despite the early buzz, no trailer, new footage, or press updates have followed. Fans are still waiting — and begging — for any sign that this project will see the light of day.
Igbo Landing
In 2023, Ramsey Nouah, in collaboration with Play Network Studios, announced Igbo Landing, a historical project steeped in one of the most poignant stories of African resistance. The film is supposedly set for release in 2025, but since the initial announcement, all has been quiet. No plot details have been revealed, no cast has been confirmed, and no trailer has dropped. Whether this film is quietly being developed behind the scenes or has hit unforeseen roadblocks remains unclear — and frustrating.
Wire Wire
Shot in 2023, Wire Wire is a Bolanle Austen-Peters production featuring a loaded ensemble cast: Olarotimi Fakunle, Lasisi Elenu, Bisola Aiyeola, Erica Nlewedim, Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Bucci Franklin. While little is known about the plot, the cast hints at a likely mix of comedy and social commentary — a common thread in Austen-Peters’ work. Despite being completed over a year ago, there’s been no trailer or distribution update. The radio silence is becoming harder to ignore.
While it’s not unusual for film projects to stall in any industry, the silence surrounding these high-profile Nollywood titles is particularly deafening — especially given the talent and anticipation behind them. Whether tangled in post-production, lost in funding limbo, or simply waiting for the “right time”, these films have left fans hanging. We can only hope these promising stories don’t stay stuck in development hell and finally get their moment on screen. Until then, we wait.
