By Onyekachi Victoria Philip
The legendary African stage drama Odigbose, which is now being transformed into an upcoming blockbuster movie titled So Long Odigbose, once commanded global attention when it was presented before world leaders and international delegates at the prestigious Leon H. Sullivan Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2003.
The summit, which took place from July 14 to July 19, 2003, brought together prominent African leaders, business executives, cultural ambassadors and representatives from the United States and other parts of the world to discuss Africa’s economic growth, trade opportunities, development and global partnerships.
As part of the summit’s cultural showcase, renowned cultural entrepreneur and tourism icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, served as Artistic Director, responsible for curating performances that projected the richness, history and diversity of African heritage.
One of the most remarkable highlights of the cultural presentation was Odigbose, an epic theatrical production that explored one of the most painful chapters in African history , the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade through the lens of African storytelling.
Using a powerful combination of drama, music, traditional dance and cultural expressions, the stage production recreated the struggles of Africans during the era of forced migration across the Atlantic while revealing the resilience, bravery and enduring strength of the African people.
The performance left a lasting impression on delegates at the summit, providing a deep cultural reflection that aligned with broader conversations about Africa’s identity, historical experiences and its relationship with the global African diaspora.
For Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Odigbose was not created merely as a theatrical performance but as a cultural mission aimed at reconnecting Africans and the global community with the continent’s history, heritage and storytelling traditions.
The production became part of his wider vision of using culture, tourism and entertainment as instruments for preserving African narratives and promoting the continent’s creative influence globally.
This vision has continued through several initiatives, including the development of the internationally recognized La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.
Years after its remarkable stage success, Odigbose is entering a new era as So Long Odigbose, a cinematic adaptation expected to introduce the powerful African story to a wider global audience.
Unlike the limitations of the stage, the movie adaptation expands the story into a full-scale cinematic experience, featuring more locations, deeper storytelling, enhanced visual creativity and carefully designed scenes that bring African history and authenticity to life.
The film promises to capture the raw emotions, cultural depth and historical realities embedded in the original stage production while introducing a new generation of audiences to an unforgettable African narrative.
With its expected global release in 2027, So Long Odigbose is positioned as more than a movie, it represents a continuation of a cultural legacy that began on stage and is now evolving into a major screen production capable of showcasing Africa’s storytelling power to the world.