Former minister of power, works and housing Babatunde Fashola was among the dignitaries who graced the premiere of Her Excellency, a film celebrating the 60-year career of veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello.

The exclusive premiere held on Sunday at IMAX Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos, with a dress code described as “elegance”.

The star-studded event was attended by top Nollywood actors, politicians and members of the Salami family.

Other notable guests included Femi Adebayo, Bukky Wright, Alibaba, Sola Sobowale, Aisha Lawal, Toyin Adegbola and Gabriel Afolayan.

Her Excellency, a political drama, is produced and directed by Femi Adebayo in honour of his father’s contributions to Nigerian cinema over the decades.

Femi had earlier announced the project in an Instagram post, writing:
“Power meets resistance. Legacy collides with scandal. And HER EXCELLENCY stands right at the center. From the visionary minds behind Jagun Jagun, King of Thieves, Seven Doors, and more, comes a tribute to one of Africa’s greatest filmmakers — Oga Bello — as he marks 60 years of being an integral part of the film industry.”

The film stars Adebayo Salami alongside a robust cast that includes Femi Adebayo, Sola Sobowale, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta, Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Oshin, Dele Odule and Faithia Williams.

According to Femi, the film was conceived not just as a tribute to his father, but also to “further push the boundaries of indigenous storytelling and deliver a compelling story that mirrors society.”

Her Excellency explores the political and personal struggles of a powerful female figure, navigating a world of scandal, ambition, loyalty, and betrayal. The film serves as both a cultural statement and a reflection on leadership and family values.

Oga Bello began his career in theatre before transitioning to film and television, becoming a pioneer of Yoruba cinema. He has featured in numerous classics and remains widely respected for his work in the long-running television series Comedy Half Hour. In recent years, he has collaborated frequently with his son Femi on major productions.

The new film follows the success of Seven Doors, also produced by Femi Adebayo, which earned critical acclaim following its release on Netflix.

Speaking about the project, Femi said: “This is more than a movie. It is a legacy project.”

Her Excellency will begin screening in cinemas across Nigeria on July 4.