By Chiamara Anyacho
Contributing Writer

Onumba.com, Nigeria ———- “Isawuru!!!”

“Ayamatanga!!”

If these lines ring a bell to you as a young person, my guess is that you grew up in a Christian home. And you are either married, about to get married, or seriously thinking about marriage.

Many years ago, Agbara Nla, with its English version, The Ultimate Power, was mostly known among Christians who enjoyed the works of veteran filmmaker Mike Bamiloye.

Today, the story is different.

The remake, Agbara Nla: The Return, a 33-year-old Christian film classic from Mount Zion, has grossed ₦354.5 million at the Nigerian box office since its release in cinemas on October 1, 2026. The film’s distributor, Nile Entertainment, announced the milestone on October 20.

But the story behind Agbara Nla is one that will leave you staring at your screen with your mouth open.

Let us take a trip back to 1987.

It all started during the National Festival of Christian Drama, known as HARVEST ’87, organised by Mount Zion Faith Ministries in Ibadan. Christian drama leaders gathered to discuss an ambitious idea. They wanted to come together to produce what they hoped would be Nigeria’s first Christian movie.

The original script was titled Agbara To Ju Agbara Lo.

Meetings, casting sessions, and rehearsals followed, involving drama ministers from churches and tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, Ogun State University, and the College of Education, Ilesa.

Eventually, filming began at Apete Village in Ibadan.

And eventually, it was completed.

Then came the setback.

The cameraman disappeared with the tapes.

All efforts to locate him proved abortive. According to Mike Bamiloye, the vision was abandoned, and the project was left to die.

Imagine the time, energy, and resources that had gone into the production, only for the entire project to end that way.

But the story did not end there.

In 1993, after Mount Zion had successfully produced several other films, Bamiloye said he felt led to revive the project. The script was rewritten, and production restarted at Badeku Village in Ibadan.

This time, the production received support from members of the Christian community. A pastor from a Foursquare Gospel Church donated ₦5,000 towards the camera deposit, while the late Rev. Idowu Animashawun of World Hope Mission provided accommodation for the team during filming.

The production eventually became the Agbara Nla television serial that audiences came to know and love. It was broadcast across television stations in Western Nigeria. In 1994, the English version, The Ultimate Power, followed, reaching audiences in Eastern and Northern Nigeria and beyond.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you watched the original as a child or young adult, this was probably the version you remember.

Fast-forward to 2025.

The production returned to set for a remake of the Christian classic, directed by Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and produced by Chris Odeh in collaboration with Mount Zion Films, Sozo Films, and Circuit TV.

On October 1, 2026, Agbara Nla: The Return premiered in cinemas nationwide.

And today, we are talking about ₦354.5 million at the Nigerian box office.

As beautiful as this achievement is, I cannot stop my brain from wondering about one thing.

Why did the cameraman disappear with the tapes in 1987?

About writer: Chiamara Anyacho is a passionate writer known for crafting compelling and impactful content. She specializes in professional writing services including CVs, Statements of Purpose, grant proposals, and scholarship essays, helping individuals present their stories with clarity and distinction. Her work spans poetry, thought provoking articles, and captivating short stories that explore human experiences and societal realities. She has received notable recognition including an Honorable Mention in the National Economic Summit Group’s Essay Competition, the Honorable Mention Award at the Literesque Prize 2026, and reaching the penultimate stage of the Pen on Fire Stages Competition.

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