A young journalist, determined to expose the people who trap women in sex trafficking, decides to go undercover. She takes a new name, dresses for the streets of Lagos and joins the women working there. What begins as an investigation becomes a dangerous journey as she is drawn into a network that moves women from Nigeria towards Europe. Òlòtūré, released on Netflix in 2020, brought this story to audiences around the world.
The story and EbonyLife
Òlòtūré, played by Sharon Ooja, is a journalist who pretends to be a sex worker to report on trafficking. She soon discovers how hard it is to get out. The film was produced by EbonyLife, the company led by Mo Abudu, which has made several Netflix projects. Kenneth Gyang, a Nigerian director known for independent films, directed it.
Trafficking, Netflix and reception
Sharon Ooja, known from the television series Skinny Girl in Transit, took on her most demanding role. The film draws attention to the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls to Europe, a serious problem that has affected thousands. Òlòtūré was released on Netflix in October 2020 and reached audiences in many countries. Critics praised its subject and performances, though some found the ending abrupt.
The story was later continued in a series. The film drew on research and real accounts of trafficking survivors.
Awareness and the route to Europe
Anti-trafficking groups welcomed the film as a way to raise awareness. It showed that Nollywood could tackle social issues with seriousness. The film portrays Lagos nightlife and its darker side. Trafficking networks in Nigeria often promise young women jobs abroad, then force them into prostitution in cities across Europe. Many travel through Niger and Libya, a dangerous route where women face abuse and death. Òlòtūré shows the start of that journey, in the clubs and hotels of Lagos where recruiters operate.
Mo Abudu and the festivals
Mo Abudu, the founder of EbonyLife, has become one of the most influential figures in African television and film, signing deals with international streaming platforms. Alongside Sharon Ooja, the film features experienced Nollywood actors in supporting roles as traffickers, madams and fellow women caught in the trade. Before its Netflix release, the film was screened at festivals, where it received attention for its subject.
Òlòtūré set out to tell a story that many Nigerians knew existed but rarely saw on screen. Netflix took that story far beyond Lagos.
