Malaika (2023 film)

Malaika is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Toyin Abraham and released to cinemas nationwide in December 2023.^[1] The supernatural themed movie features a host of popular faces in the Nollywood industry including Toyin Abraham, Emeka Ike, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Uzor Arukwe, Carter Efe and others.^[2] The film becomes Abraham's highest-grossing movie hitting N300m in the cinema.^[3]

Malaika tells the story of a family, Njoku family - Dr Njoku (played by Emeka Ike) and Mrs Njoku (played by Toyin Abraham), the family although doing well in their respective careers have a lingering issue with infertility leading to family feud.^[4] Dr Njoku has a stepdaughter which also greatly contributed to the family feud in the house as Mrs Njoku and the stepdaughter were always at loggerhead. All effort from Dr Njoku to resolve the issues and disagreement between his wife and daughter proved abortive as they maintained status quo. Following frustration from the infertility and childlessness, Mrs Njoku in a bid to find a solution met with an Ifa priest and this led to a significant transformation in her life and family at large.^[5]

• Toyin Abraham as Mrs Njoku
• Emeka Ike as Dr Njoku
• Muyiwa Ademola
• Taiwo Ajai-Lycett
• Samuel Ajirebi as Security Man
• Uzor Arukwe
• Westy Baba
• Ibrahim Chatta
• Carter Efe
• Dele Odule
• Peju Ogunmola

^[6]

Following the release of Malaika to the cinema on December 22, 2023, it has sparked various conversations from Nigerians including the return of Emeka Ike to the big screen.^[7] Emeka Ike who starred as Dr Njoku in the film while describing the movie stressed that the film is a therapy for every broken home.^[8] Malaika was released in the United Kingdom cinema on 5th, January 2024.^[9]