Prince Daniel, the director and producer of Nigeria’s 2025 Oscar-nominated feature film, ‘Mai Martaba’, has wrapped up the production of one of his most creative and visually challenging projects yet, a political thriller titled: ‘Akwati’.
Literally translated as a box, ‘Akwati’ required its protagonist, an investigative writer, Ahmad Balami, played by Abba Ali Zaky, to be locked up in a wooden box from which he tells his story and the resulting human cost of corruption.
To stay true to the film’s visual demands, the cast and crew spent 21 days on principal photography, each day intense and carefully planned to suit the story’s confined nature.
“We had to be creative to keep it visually engaging, while staying true to the confinement.
Every sound and angle mattered, pushing the crew and the actor to their limits.
While the production is nowhere near the cost of ‘Mai Martaba’, it did demand focus on high production value and resourcefulness from all crew members, and highlighted
Daniel’s passion for promoting northern narratives is universal.
‘Akwati’ has northern faces, but it tells a Nigerian story, and beyond that, a human story. Corruption, silence and the struggle for truth are not limited to one region. By centering on the narrative of a northern journalist digging into an arms deal, we stay true to the roots of insurgency and banditry, while also exposing how large-scale corruption undermines the fight against terrorism in northern Nigeria.”
Joining Abba Ali Zaky in the cast are a handful of promising young northern actors – like Zaharadeen Kwangila (winner, KADIFF MTN Best Indigenous Film 2025), Hadiza Gambo (AMVCA Nominee Best Makeup), Jamila Y. Ibrahim and Nura MC Khan.
“Most of the cast may not ring a bell. In our bid to open up the industry, I believe in discovering and giving space to fresh, up-and-coming talents, and each of them brought something raw and powerful to the film,” Daniel said.
Since his venture into film directing and producing, in the past four years, Daniel’s films, ‘Mai Martaba’ and ‘Kaka’, have successfully told northern stories and depicted the rich culture and landscape of the region. ‘Mai Martaba’ was nominated to represent Nigeria at the 2025 Oscars International Feature Film category, and ‘Kaka’ was selected for screening at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF).
While both films were products of the filmmaker’s personal investment and the goodwill of individuals who believe in his stories, Daniel said the Oscar Nomination has brought more goodwill than automatic funding.
“What it (nomination) has done is give confidence to partners and supporters that the work is serious, globally competitive and worth backing. While the recognition helps, the real engine remains commitment, discipline and the courage to take risks on stories that matter,” he said.
