Chief Beecroft is a rich, generous Lagos businessman who supports a crowd of relatives, friends and hangers-on. When he dies suddenly, they all rush to find out what he has left them in his will. The comedy Chief Daddy, released by EbonyLife Films in December 2018, turned that scramble into a big-budget ensemble film. It was one of the most talked about Nollywood releases of the festive season and later spawned a sequel.
EbonyLife, the cast and the story
EbonyLife, founded by Mo Abudu, had already produced hits such as The Wedding Party. Chief Daddy continued its run of glossy, star-filled comedies. Niyi Akinmolayan, a director known for films such as The Arbitration and The Set Up, directed Chief Daddy. The film brought together a long list of Nollywood stars, including Funke Akindele, Joke Silva and Kate Henshaw, among many others.
After Chief Beecroft’s death, his wife, children, siblings, mistresses and staff all hope to benefit from his estate. The reading of the will sets off a chain of schemes and arguments.
Humour, box office and the sequel
The comedy draws on familiar Nigerian situations: extended family dependence, lavish lifestyles and disputes over inheritance. Released over Christmas, when Nigerian cinemas are busiest, the film drew large audiences. Chief Daddy was among the top-grossing Nigerian films of its season. A sequel, Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke, was released on Netflix in 2022, continuing the story of the family.
The original film also reached international audiences through Netflix. Audiences enjoyed the star power and comedy, while some critics felt the large cast left little room for character development. Inheritance disputes are a common theme in Nollywood, and Chief Daddy treated the topic with broad humour.
Ensemble, luxury and loyalty
Few Nollywood films have packed so many famous faces into one story. Fans enjoyed seeing veterans and younger stars share scenes, though some actors had only a few minutes on screen. The film is set among mansions, luxury cars and lavish parties, giving viewers a glimpse of a wealthy Lagos lifestyle played for laughs. Under the jokes, the film asks who truly cared for Chief Beecroft and who only cared for his money.
In Chief Daddy, the dead man is the only character not fighting over his money. Many Nigerian viewers recognised at least one of the relatives who were.
