More than three decades after Agbara Nla helped define Christian filmmaking in Nigeria, veteran gospel filmmaker Mike Bamiloye is returning one of the country’s most influential faith-based stories to the spotlight, betting that a new generation of cinema-goers is ready for a revival of the spiritual classic that shaped an era.
Agbara Nla: The Return, a reimagined version of the iconic 1993 faith-based movie Agbara Nla, will premiere in cinemas across Nigeria on October 1.
The announcement marks the return of a film widely regarded as one of the foundational productions of Nigeria’s Christian movie industry and a project that helped shape the spiritual consciousness of a generation of believers.
Bamiloye revealed the release date through his official social media platforms while sharing the trailer of the highly anticipated production.
Reflecting on the impact of the original film, he recalled how Agbara Nla and its English adaptation, The Ultimate Power, gained widespread acceptance across Nigeria in the early 1990s.
“AGBARA NLA (1993)… Who remembers the experiences then? That was 33 years ago. And the English Version: THE ULTIMATE POWER came up in 1994 and spread across Eastern Nigeria starting from Edo,” he wrote.
Announcing the remake, the veteran filmmaker added: “Now coming up, remade and repackaged in higher grade. Coming to CINEMA, October 1st. Prophetically… For the Deliverance of… MUWONLERU!“
A classic returns for a new generation
When it first appeared in the early 1990s, Agbara Nla became a cultural and spiritual phenomenon within Christian circles.
The film explored themes of spiritual warfare, divine power, evangelism, prayer and Christian discipleship, portraying the clash between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness. Its dramatic depiction of witchcraft, occultism and redemption resonated with audiences across churches, schools and Christian fellowships throughout Nigeria and beyond.
For many believers, the movie was more than entertainment. It became a tool for evangelism and discipleship at a time when Christian filmmaking in Nigeria was still in its infancy.
More than three decades later, Agbara Nla: The Return seeks to revisit those themes while introducing the story to a new generation raised in the era of digital streaming and modern cinema.
New production, familiar faces
The remake is directed by Damilola Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye, continuing the family’s long-standing involvement in faith-based storytelling.
Mike Bamiloye returns to the screen in his celebrated role as Isawuru, while the cast also features Philip Olubakin as Olaboye, Damilola Bamiloye as Kola and Aanu Kolade Abiodun as Bose.
The production is a collaboration between Mount Zion Film Productions, Circuits and Sozo Films.
Chris Odeh serves as producer, while Mohammed Sedik and Damilola Bamiloye are co-producers. Blue Pictures Distribution will handle the film’s nationwide cinema rollout.
Growing confidence in faith-based cinema
The decision to release Agbara Nla: The Return in cinemas reflects the growing confidence of Christian filmmakers in Nigeria’s commercial film market.
In recent years, faith-based productions such as The Train, Abejoye and Abattoir have attracted large audiences both locally and internationally, demonstrating the increasing influence of Christian storytelling within Nigeria’s broader entertainment industry.
Industry observers say the return of Agbara Nla could become one of the most significant faith-based film events of 2026, not only because of its historical significance but also because of its potential to reconnect older audiences with a beloved classic while introducing younger viewers to one of the most enduring stories in Nigerian Christian cinema.
