A new documentary, Mothers of Chibok, directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson, premiered on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Filmhouse IMAX, Lekki.
The film follows four mothers in Chibok, Borno State, over the course of a farming season. The film records daily routines: farming, fetching water, raising children, and presents the women’s lives in their own words.
It documents how they cultivate their land to support their families and fund their children’s education, more than a decade after the abduction of schoolgirls from their community.
On April 14, 2014, the insurgent group Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls, aged between 16 and 18, from Chibok. The incident led to widespread protests, international condemnation, and advocacy campaigns. Twelve years later, the documentary highlights the women who remained behind.
Benson said he began working with the mothers in 2018 and spent three years observing their lives before completing the film.
“After spending such a long time with them, I realized there’s more to these women than grief and pain,” he said at the premiere. “There’s beauty, humor, grace, and dignity.”
He added that his intention was to present the mothers beyond the tragedy associated with the Chibok girls.
“I was inspired to make Mothers of Chibok because I really wanted to present these mothers through a different lens; that of hope, resilience, courage, and dignity,” Benson said. “I hope people leave with admiration for these women, not pity.”
The documentary was executive produced by veteran actress Joke Silva, who said it was important that the women’s lives not be reduced to a single event.
“Tragedy happens. But what is important for anybody who has been through trauma is to be allowed to get through it to the other side and be given the respect that they deserve,” Silva said. “We will never forget the mothers of Chibok because we have it on film.”
The premiere included a discussion session moderated by journalist Lola Ogunnaike. Some of the mothers featured in the film were present and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Before its Nigerian cinema release, Mothers of Chibok premiered internationally at DOC NYC. The film won the Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best African Feature-Length Documentary and has screened at other international festivals.
Benson previously became the first Nigerian to win a Documentary Emmy for his earlier feature, Madu.
Mothers of Chibok is currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana through FilmOne Entertainment.
