Currently featured in the Top 10 across 61 countries, Hijack '93 becomes the second Nigerian film to achieve such extensive recognition, following The Black Book, which reached 69 countries.
"Hijack '93", directed by Robert O. Peters and written by Musa Jeffery David, presents a compelling narrative of the 1993 airline hijacking in Nigeria.
The film features Nnamdi Agbo, Adam Garba, Allison Emmanuel, and Oluwaseyi Akinsola as teenage rebels who hijack a Nigerian Airways flight in a dramatic act of protest. Their demands include the resignation of General Sani Abacha and an end to corruption and human rights violations in Nigeria.
Since its debut on October 25, 2024, Hijack '93 has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and profound political themes, garnering 3.2 million views and securing a position in Netflix Nigeria's Top 10 during its opening week. This achievement marks the fourth Nollywood film this year to attain this milestone, underscoring the international acclaim and recognition accorded to Nigerian cinema.
The narrative centers around four young individuals affiliated with the Movement for the Actualization of Democracy—Skipper (Nnamdi Agbo), Eruku (Adam Garba), Owiwi (Allison Emmanuel), and Iku (Oluwaseyi Akinsola)—who engage in the hijacking of an Airbus A310 aircraft during its journey from Lagos to Abuja.
With determination and arms, the teenagers redirect the aircraft to Germany, seeking international attention for Nigeria's sociopolitical crisis. However, their plans are complicated by fuel shortages, leading to an unplanned landing in Niamey, Niger, where international negotiations escalate.
The cast includes notable actors such as Sam Dede, Bob Manuel, John Dumelo, Idia Aisien, Nancy Isime, Efa Iwara, and Sharon Ooja, whose performances enrich this gripping, real-life drama.
The development of the Hijack '93 project began in May 2021 under the leadership of Charles Okpaleke's Play Network Studios, a renowned production company known for its high-quality remakes of Nollywood classics such as Living in Bondage and Rattle Snake.
In partnership with the British Film Institute and the UK’s Department of International Trade, Okpaleke adapted this compelling true story into a cinematic experience, drawing upon in-depth interviews with the original hijackers, several of whom served lengthy prison sentences.
Following comprehensive pre-production and three months of aviation training for the cast, filming was completed in mid-2023. The film's success underscores the rapid global ascent of Nollywood, marking another milestone in the international prominence and cultural significance of Nigerian cinema.