Sola Benson 

Nigerian filmmaker Kemi Adetiba is set to unveil her most daring project yet, with To Kill a Monkey, an 8-part crime drama premiering on Netflix on July 18, 2025. Departing sharply from her acclaimed King of Boys universe, Adetiba’s latest work promises an unflinching, male-driven story of crime, betrayal, and survival.

In To Kill a Monkey, Adetiba trades the grandiose political power struggles and matriarchal dominance of King of Boys for a grittier, leaner world of hustlers and moral ambiguity. It’s a creative gamble that marks her first major series without her longtime muse and collaborator, Sola Sobowale. From The Wedding Party to the unforgettable Eniola Salami of King of Boys, Sobowale’s fiery presence has been central to Adetiba’s storytelling. Her absence here signals a deliberate break with the familiar.

Instead, the spotlight turns to William Benson (Crime and Justice Lagos, A Green Fever) and Bucci Franklin (Rattlesnake, Far From Home), two actors celebrated for their depth and quiet intensity. Benson stars as Efemini, a principled but desperate man forced to the margins, while Franklin plays his flamboyant friend, whose glittering lifestyle is both salvation and snare.

Adetiba’s trademark directorial style remains intact: sharp tone, brutal stakes, and morally complex characters. As Efemini spirals into a web of deceit and double lives, To Kill a Monkey asks unsettling questions about destiny and self-destruction: How far would you go to change your fate? When does reinvention become ruin?

The ensemble cast brings together veterans and rising stars, including Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Michael Ejoor, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai, Ireti Doyle, Teniola Aladese, and Sunshine Roseman.

To Kill a Monkey has been in the works for nearly two years. First teased in August 2023, production was led by Kemi Adetiba Visuals in partnership with Remi Adetiba. Principal photography wrapped by October 2023, with post-production progressing quietly until its 2025 release date.

Kemi Adetiba: A Trailblazer Redefining African Cinema

Kemi Adetiba is not merely a filmmaker; she is a force reshaping the landscape of Nigerian and, by extension, African cinema. Her work consistently blends grit, style, and bold storytelling, distinguishing her as one of Nollywood’s most electric voices.

Born on January 8, 1980, in Lagos, Nigeria, Adetiba's upbringing was steeped in creative and technical influences. Her father, Dele, was a broadcasting veteran, and her mother, Mayen, carved a unique path as both an actor-journalist and a pioneering civil engineer. Despite initially pursuing a legal career, earning an LLB from the University of Lagos and attending Nigerian Law School, Adetiba's innate passion for narrative ultimately led her to filmmaking. She honed her craft at the New York Film Academy, equipping her with the tools for visual storytelling.

Adetiba's professional journey began in radio as a presenter at Rhythm 93.7 FM, where she hosted popular shows like Soul’d Out and Sunday at the Seaside. She transitioned to television, becoming a familiar face on M-Net’s Studio 53, Temptation Nigeria, and anchoring Maltina Dance All.

Following her film academy training, Adetiba made a significant mark in music video direction, working with top Nigerian artists such as Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Waje, Omawumi, and TY Bello. Her innovative music videos earned her multiple accolades, including Best Female Video at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and nominations at The Headies.

Her breakthrough in film came with her student short film, Across a Bloodied Ocean (2008), which garnered international recognition at the Pan African Film Festival (Los Angeles) and the National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta).

Adetiba's feature film debut, The Wedding Party (2016), shattered Nigerian box-office records, grossing over ₦400 million and premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She followed this success with The Wedding Party 2 (2017). Her critically acclaimed political thriller, King of Boys (2018), captivated audiences and spawned a dedicated fan movement. The seven-part Netflix sequel, King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021), further cemented her status as a powerhouse in the streaming world.

Beyond her directorial prowess, Adetiba is an astute entrepreneur. She founded Kemi Adetiba Visuals and co-created King Women, a web-series that spotlights female leaders across Africa, in partnership with platforms like EbonyLife Creative Academy, showcasing her commitment to mentorship.

Kemi Adetiba's journey, from her family roots in arts and media to her marriage to advertising and music executive Oscar Heman-Ackah in April 2022, consistently reflects her dedication to ambitious storytelling and cultural resonance. With To Kill a Monkey, she is not just telling Nigeria’s stories; she is actively defining what African cinema looks and feels like on a global stage, proving her commitment to constant reinvention.