“Asoebi Diaries” Nails the Chaos, Comedy, and Closure of Lagos Love Stories

 Biodun Stephen’s “Asoebi Diaries” is that rare Nollywood film that juggles multiple leads without shortchanging anyone. It’s an ensemble-driven, fast-paced romantic dramedy that thrives on the chaos of owambes, the politics of asoebi, and the inner lives of Lagos women, managing to do all this while staying charming, funny, and surprisingly emotional.

What stands out most is how balanced the storytelling is. With three central characters; Fari Gomez (Nancy Isime), Taymesan (Bukunmi Adeaga-iiori), and Chizzy (Chigozie Alichi ), you’d expect one to take precedence over the others, but the film gives each woman room to shine. It’s been a while since a Nollywood film evenly shared screen time like this, and each actor makes it count. Nancy Isime, in particular, continues her hot streak of compelling screen performances, while Bukunmi Adeaga-iiori popularly known as Kiekie is fast becoming a go-to actress for chaotic female leads.

Shaffy Bello is a scene-stealer as the Iyaoloja. She doesn’t just play the role—she owns it, capturing the subtle power, generational ideals, and social maneuvering that comes with being a market matriarch. Her younger self, played in a brief flashback, is so perfectly cast the resemblance nearly steals focus from the story. Bravo to whoever found that actress.

Kiekie’s Taymesan is another win. Beyond her Dancing energy, she brings sincerity to a character that could’ve easily become comic relief. Her therapy arc, which pokes at Lagos girls’ materialism while also encouraging mental health awareness, works both as satire and social commentary. It reminds viewers that not everything is “village people,”sometimes you just need help.

Fari’s character, on the other hand, mirrors a lot of real-life struggles, trying to keep up appearances for people who couldn’t care less. Her love triangle with childhood friend Dimeji (Kunle Remi) and her ex Kitan (Daniel Etim Effiong) is handled with surprising restraint. When Kitan kneels to propose, the film smartly resists the urge to force a messy backslide. Instead, it gives Dimeji—friendzoned, consistent, and all-round sweetheart, his well-earned moment.

One of the film’s smartest decisions is how it uses the cultural backdrop of asoebi not just as set dressing, but as part of the conflict. The obsession with uniformity, appearances, and social status becomes more than a fashion thread it ties directly into the choices these women make and the pressure they carry.

Let’s not forget the music. In an era where Segun Johnson is everyone’s default owambe performer, “Asoebi Diaries” pays homage to the Queen of Waka music: Salawa Abeni. Her cameo as a performer at an earlier party scene is more than a nostalgic nod—it’s a reminder of the roots of Yoruba party culture. Johnson also appears in a different scene, creating a nice generational contrast that reflects the film’s broader themes.

The plot is brisk and enjoyable, managing to be both unpredictable in its details and comforting in its familiarity. The pacing leaves little room to breathe, which is a compliment—it makes the 90-something minutes fly. The writers smartly anchor the romantic hijinks in social realities, giving the film more depth than its glossy trailer may suggest.

Each of the women’s arcs is compelling, but Chizzy’s heartbreak and her father’s hilarious meddling remain a standout. Her storyline about getting blindsided by love, and recovering from it, is relatable without being overdone. The film leans into emotional highs and lows with ease, making even predictable moments enjoyable.

Still, not everything lands perfectly. A few subplots, like Fari’s work as a fashion designer, are touched on but not fully explored. A deeper look into her creative life could’ve added more layers to her character and visual texture to the story. There are also small technical distractions, like awkward ADR in certain scenes or abrupt transitions that slightly dull the polish.

“Asoebi Diaries” is refreshing, smartly written, well-acted, and culturally rooted. It doesn’t try too hard to impress but still delivers something special. The themes of friendship, identity, societal pressure, and love all come full circle in a satisfying way. With minimal missteps and strong execution, it’s one of the better Nollywood entries this year, and one that feels very much of the moment.

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Streaming Service: None, Cinematic Release

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours

Director: Biodun Stephen

Cast: Nancy Isime, Bukunmi Adeaga-iiori, Chigozie Alichi, Kunle Remi, Daniel Etim Effiong, Shaffy Bello, Bukky wright, and Jide Kosoko

TNR Scorecard: