Muyiwa Ademola has disclosed that he collapsed while preparing for his first scene in Odunlade Adekola’s film, Warlord: Olori Ogun, and continued working despite medical advice that he was unfit for the production.
The actor recounted the experience in an Instagram post on Wednesday, 28 October, thanking Adekola for his support. His account concerns the making of the Yoruba-language epic, which reached Nigerian cinemas in November 2025.
Ademola said the project had first been discussed with him in December 2024, ahead of filming planned for February 2025. He travelled to Canada in January and promised Adekola that he would return in time to take part.
According to his account, his delayed arrival raised questions about whether he would make it back for the shoot. Adekola nevertheless kept faith with his assurance and waited for him to return.
Ademola said filming had already been underway for weeks by the time he arrived on location. He became ill before shooting his first scene, describing dizziness, weakness, sweating and shaking hands as he struggled to remain standing.
He said his personal assistant brought him a chair after he leaned against a wall. As his condition worsened, Adekola noticed what was happening and came to help him, asking someone to bring a mat.
Ademola recalled lying down and being unable to speak or coordinate his movements. He said he could hear people around him but was too weak to tell his assistant to call his wife. He did not know how long he had lost consciousness.
“When I came by, Odun and the crew arranged for me to be taken to the hospital, I declined,” he wrote, in the account reproduced by QEDNG.
The actor said doctors had advised him that he was not fit for the job. He nevertheless remained on the production and took medication on his own until filming ended.
Ademola linked that decision to his determination not to disappoint Adekola after the confidence his colleague had shown in him. He thanked the filmmaker for standing by him and helping him complete the project.
Adekola responded to the post by thanking Ademola and praising his acting and interpretation of the script. He said he had been shocked and surprised to read the account.
In Warlord: Olori Ogun, Ademola plays Adeyiga, the king, while Adekola takes the role of Ogundi, the warlord. The film centres on a powerful ruler and the conflicts surrounding his despotic rule.
Adekola produced the film and said four directors worked on it. Its cast also includes Fathia Balogun as Olori Iteade and Ireti Osayemi as Olori Oyedunni, alongside Femi Adebayo, Adenike Hamzat, Biola Adebayo and Ibrahim Chatta.
The film premiered at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX in Lekki, Lagos, on 26 November 2025, ahead of its cinema release on 28 November. At the premiere, Ademola spoke to HipTV about looking forward to seeing his portrayal of the king and the feedback he had received during production.
Warlord: Olori Ogun, which is performed in Yoruba with English subtitles, subsequently became available for streaming on Kava TV.
Photograph: Muyiwa Ademola portrait, via Naija News. Photographer and photograph date not supplied.
