Nigerian filmmaker and broadcaster Prince Daniel Aboki is set to direct Maitatsine, a historical feature film centered on the violent religious uprisings that rocked northern Nigeria in the early 1980s.
In a statement issued by the filmmaker, Aboki confirmed that the project has concluded all statutory paperwork, regulatory clearances, and production documentation required to commence filming, clearing the film to move into production.
Maitatsine chronicles the rise of Muhammadu Marwa and the ‘Yan Tatsine movement, whose activities between 1980 and 1985 led to deadly confrontations in several northern cities, including Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, and Gombe.
The uprisings reshaped national conversations around religious extremism, state authority, and social order.
The most severe violence occurred in Kano in December 1980, when clashes between sect members and security forces lasted several days and resulted in widespread destruction and heavy casualties.
The crisis exposed Nigeria’s limited preparedness for large-scale urban insurgency and left long-term social and security implications.
According to Aboki, the production will be mounted on a large scale, with an estimated 3,000 cast and crew members expected to be involved.
Aboki, who has built a career across broadcast media and filmmaking, previously directed Kaka (2024) and the short film Bring Me Flowers (2023).
He is also the director of Mai Martaba, Nigeria’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Beyond film, he has held senior programming roles across major Nigerian radio networks.
Further details regarding casting, filming locations, and production timelines have yet to be announced.