“After 30” Sparks Vital Conversations About Womanhood in a New Decade

Life is already tough as a woman, but being a woman in your thirties? That’s a whole new chapter, marked by deeper trials and never-ending tribulations. It’s always something, but the difference between the “something” in your twenties and your thirties is that, in your thirties, the consequences run deeper and last longer.

“After 30” explores these far-reaching realities through the lives of four women—Temilola (Damilola Adegbite), Nkem (Beverly Naya), Ama (Anee Icha), and Aisha (Meg Otanwa). As a sequel to Africa Magic’s hit series “Before 30,” this new installment captures the evolution of friendship, love, and identity in a world full of surprises. Ten years after the series ended (though the film’s timeline places it six years later), these women retain their friendship, even as life pulls them in different directions.

Temilola is now a successful lawyer in Lagos, still grieving the loss of her partner. She finds love again with Kunle (Samuel Asa’ah), the charismatic son of a billionaire. But, when it seems she’s ready for a new beginning, she sabotages her happiness by returning to her on-again, off-again “soulmate,” Ayo (OC Ukeje).

Nkem is a high-flying financial analyst and business owner who embraces her femininity, choosing casual hookups over commitment. However, beneath the surface, she longs to have a child of her own. She nearly makes that dream a reality—until Aisha steps in, warning her not to let impulsiveness cloud her judgment.

Aisha is still married to the wealthy Shareef (Patrick Diabuah), a serial cheater, and stays home to care for their daughter. Trapped in a stifling marriage, she’s torn between doing what’s expected as a dutiful Northern wife and finding the courage to choose herself.

Then there’s Ama—the ever-bubbly free spirit. Despite a string of failed relationships, she remains open-hearted and committed to finding love. Her latest flame surprises everyone: a woman whose culinary skills somehow finds a way into her pious heart.

“After 30” does an excellent job of hosting the uncomfortable conversations that many Nigerian women are afraid to have—topics like being trapped in a loveless marriage, being told to maintain purity for a future husband, getting back with toxic exes, not wanting more children, or wanting children someday, even if it means doing it without a husband. In a culture where silence is often mistaken for strength, the film boldly gives voice to the things Nigerian women have been conditioned to whisper in secret—and it does so with empathy, courage, and authenticity.

Aisha’s arc is especially compelling. In “Before 30,” it was clear she grew up in a strict Northern household where she was never allowed a voice. That pattern followed her into marriage, where Shareef kept pressuring her for a second baby—even though she clearly didn’t want one after complications with her first. When she finally reclaimed her power by having her tubes tied without her husband’s consent, everyone acted like she had committed murder. She was sent away from her husband’s house, and her daughter was literally ripped from her arms. It’s a near-perfect reflection of how society reacts the moment a woman decides to put herself first.

Moral of the story? You can never win as a woman.

It’s easy to come down hard on Temilola for jeopardizing the picture-perfect life with the picture-perfect man. Kunle treated her like she hung the moon and stars, and yet she messed it all up for a temporary fling with Ayo—her so-called “soulmate.” But a closer look at her arc reveals something more nuanced: even in your thirties, you don’t have it all figured out. The idea that you must know who “the one” is by a certain age is overplayed. You can still make mistakes, fall in love, fall out of love, and just—fall—as many times as you need to. Why? Because life is forever a learning process.

Speaking of learning, Ama discovered she’s bisexual—a narrative that’s still taboo in Nigerian films due to the country’s deep-rooted intolerance for the LGBTQIA+ community. Naturally, her realization didn’t come easily. She felt a wave of shame and believed she’d betrayed God. But her connection with Chef Alice (Celestina Aleobua) was real. And yet, before their flame could erupt into a volcano, it was extinguished. That felt like a missed opportunity for the film. In a story that’s all about defying societal expectations, Ama and Alice deserved more than just a tease—they deserved a real happy ending.

Nkem is the poster woman for “having it all,” but still wanting more. Temilola once said nothing is ever enough for her—and it’s true. Nkem is ambitious, driven, and relentless. That alone is a lesson for women. Her promiscuity aside, she really is the woman many aspire to be. And her desire to have a child (whilst financially and emotionally stable) in her thirties is a deeply relatable experience for many women. What the film gets right is how it showcases the different paths to motherhood—surrogacy, adoption, IVF. It crushes the outdated notion that a woman has failed if she can’t conceive naturally. And yes, women can and do raise children successfully without a male partner—despite what society insists.

While “After 30” doesn’t pitch itself as a feminist drama, it’s liberating and refreshing. Some characters, especially Nkem, live unapologetically on their own terms, free from the burden of societal expectations—which, in many ways, is the film’s whole point. In contrast, Aisha’s picture-perfect but deeply miserable life proves that dancing to society’s tune often leaves you empty and longing for something more.

With a script written by Bibi Ukpo, BB Sasore, and Omorinsojo Spaine, the conversations between the four female leads feel organic, not forced. Every line of dialogue has meaning. Every scene has intention, which is thanks to Spaine, who also directed the film. It’s not unnecessarily long (thank heavens), and it delivers its message with precision and thought. The ten years between “Before 30” and “After 30” work beautifully, as this is a sequel that truly earns its place and deserves all the industry accolades coming its way.

As with many contemporary Nigerian films, the ambiance is vibrant, and the costume choices are a reflection of each character’s personality—bold, evolving, and stylish, just like the women themselves.

Still, “After 30” isn’t without its flaws. The time jump could’ve used a little onscreen signal—something like “Six Years Later” would’ve gone a long way, instead of revealing it through casual conversation. And then there’s the sisterhood trope. At this point, Nollywood might need to take a step back. This isn’t a dig at Nemsia Productions, but a general note to the industry: the “tight-knit female friends navigating life, breaking apart, fighting, and reuniting (or not)” formula is exhausted. On behalf of the viewing public: ENOUGH. Give us something new.

All in all, “After 30” is a deeply compelling and relatable drama that every Nigerian woman should see—whether or not you’re actually after the age of thirty. Because at its core, the film isn’t just about navigating female friendships or checking arbitrary boxes by a certain age. It’s about self-discovery. About choosing yourself, even when society says you shouldn’t. About confronting uncomfortable truths and embracing change—messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful change.

“After 30” reminds us that womanhood is not a straight-jacket journey; there’s no one-size-fits-all path. That alone makes it not just a film, but a mirror held up to reflect the resilient strengths of women who are exhausted from merely surviving and are ready to start living life on their own terms.

“After 30” is still showing on Prime Video.

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour and 51 minutes

Streaming Service: Prime Video

Director: Omorinsojo Spaine

Cast: Damilola Adegbite, Meg Otanwa, Beverly Naya, Anee Icha, OC Ukeje, Samuel Asa’ah, and Patrick Diabuah

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