The 10 Best Nigerian Action Films of All Time

What we call Nollywood are works and developments in Nigerian film and television, from the days of home video to the current streaming and cinema era. This corpus includes films across different genres, which blend and project peculiar Nigerian realities with universal trends. One of these popular Nollywood genres, the action film, offers adventurous, thrilling, high-octane, adrenaline-driven, tension-filled narratives, incorporating stunts with scenes of violence and bloodshed.

Here I briefly consider 10 all-time best Nollywood action films. This list is in no particular order.

Gangs of Lagos (2023)

The brutal, survivalist politics of a fictional Lagos unfolds through the eyes of Obalola, a young man, who, in quest of a better life, becomes a tool for the selfish, overambitious, bloodthirsty Kazeem Eleniyan. In this riveting crime thriller, producer and director Jadesola Osiberu exposes the underbelly of Lagos, providing context using cultural symbols like the Eyo masquerade.

Issakaba (2001)

While a sequel to this Nollywood classic is currently underway, the 2001 production is arguably the greatest Nigerian action film of that era. The story is based on the Bakassi Boys, a regional militia from the late 90s who relied on guns, machetes, black magic, and local intelligence to combat crimes in the Southeastern region of Nigeria, particularly targeting ritual killers, kidnappers, armed robbers and their accomplices. Sam Dede portrays the character of Ebube in the film, as he leads his boys through different operations that see them expose evil in troubled communities.

The Black Book (2023)

A bereaved deacon and an ex-combatant, Paul Edima, played by Richard Mofe-Damijo, takes justice into his hands as he goes after his son’s killers, confronting an old past and unravelling a rotten sociopolitical system. The film, posed as a million-dollar-budget production bankrolled by tech investors, marks Editi Effiong’s feature-length directorial debut. With its revenge-seeking storyline as well as realistic fight scenes and stunts, The Black Book has been compared to Hollywood projects like the John Wick franchise and Cold Pursuit.

Rattlesnake (1995)

Following the demise of his father in questionable circumstances, Ahanna Okolo and his siblings are dismissed to the village by their uncle who marries their mother and takes over the deceased’s property in Lagos. This forces Ahanna into a life of crime, using the proceeds of his armed robbery operations to fend for his siblings and establish himself as a businessman. A three-part production from the stable of the legendary Amaka Igwe, Rattlesnake is considered a pioneering Nollywood film in the action thriller genre. Twenty-five years after its initial release, the film has been remade as Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story under the aegis of Play Network Studios, directed by Ramsey Nouah.

Tokunbo (2024)

An ex-car smuggler is lured back into a life of crime in order to provide for his family and pay his ill child’s medical bills. In a race against time, Tokunbo has to deliver a government official’s daughter to her captors as he risks losing his family. The Ramsey Nouah-directed film lets us into the world of crime, family commitment and survival.

State of Emergency (2004)

Directed by Teco Benson, State of Emergency is about a group of former military officers who terrorise the state through kidnap and murder. They kidnap and hold nine ministers of the state hostage, seeking as ransom the release of some prisoners held hostage as spies in Angola. Set against the backdrop of political tensions and diplomatic relations, the film has sterling actors like Saint Obi, Bimbo Manuel, Rachael Oniga and J.T. Tom West.

Brotherhood (2022)

Growing up, twin brothers Wale (played by Falz) and Akin (Tobi Bakre) witness their parents’ murder on the highway. Soon, they find themselves on opposite sides of the law, as their lives take on different trajectories with Wale as a police officer and Akin becoming an infamous criminal. This gives rise to a dramatic showdown as their paths cross. Ugandan filmmaker Loukman Ali is the director of this heist drama that is written and produced by Jade Osiberu.

Shanty Town (2023)

This Dimeji Ajibola-directed thriller series leads us into the underworld of sex trafficking, drug peddling, extrajudicial murders, and political corruption. Chidi Mokeme portrays the lead character, Scar, a ruthless local gangster who does dirty business for the crooked politician and titan Chief Fernandez. With the Chief attempting to temporarily bury his unscrupulous dealings for leverage in his gubernatorial ambition, nemesis beckons at him and his treacherous henchman Scar.

The Trade (2023)

Another action film made by Jade Osiberu, The Trade stars Blossom Chukwujekwu as Eric, a notorious kidnapper whose network terrorises the Southern region of the country. Despite maintaining a low profile and mysterious personality, Eric cannot stay out of trouble for long as the law comes for him. In this gripping tale of a ring leader’s downfall, Chukwujekwu delivers a brilliant performance into this film, constantly keeping the audience charged with suspense.

Ratnik (2020)

The audacious and groundbreaking dystopian action film is set in a fictional remote town in Africa during the early days of World War III. Directed by the late Dimeji Ajibola (also director of Shanty Town), it follows the story of Sarah Bello, a special trooper who returns home from the warfront to discover that her only sister is on the verge of turning undead because of a chemical substance abuse. The film contains a sterling cast that includes Osas Ighodaro, Bolanle Ninalowo, Meg Otanwa and Adunni Ade—delivering action and sci-fi that is fuelled by visual effects and tricks.