A Timeless Story in To Adaego With Love

There are parts of Nigeria’s history that deserve to be retold. Moments that shaped how we see nationhood, tribe, and religion. To Adaego With Love sits in that space, telling a forbidden love story set in the years just after the Nigerian civil war. Written by Brenda Ogbukaa-Garuba, the film explores how love struggles to survive amid familial rejections and life’s uncertainties in an era mired with wars.

To Adaego with Love screened at the 14th Africa International Film Festival in November 2025, where it won Best Screenwriting and Best Feature Film. Directed by Nwamaka Chikezie, it has been described as timeless because, though set in the past, its story mirrors present realities.

Released in Nigerian cinemas on February 6, 2026, the film stars Adam Garba and Chisom Agoawuike, alongside veteran actors Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Chioma Chukwuka, and Onyeka Onwenu of blessed memory, believed to be one of her final screen appearances before her passing in 2024.

Premise

The story is set in 1975, five years after the civil war that tore Nigeria apart in thirty months of bloodshed. Major Bala Alkali of the Nigerian Army is posted to the Enugu barracks and tasked with leading efforts to rebuild trust between the military and the people of the Eastern Region. The goal is simple on paper; in reality, it is anything but.

The locals attend the meetings out of courtesy, not belief. There is no real interest in reconciliation. One of the community elders, Chief Ezekwe, makes it clear that there can be no reconciliation without justice. Chief Ezekwe is also the father of Adaego Ezekwe, a mathematics teacher at the barracks, who soon catches Major Bala’s attention.

The Ezekwe family has suffered deeply at the hands of the Federal Army. Mama Ezekwe, Adaego’s aunt, often recalls sadly how she lost her husband during a needless military roundup. Additionally, Adaego’s father has spent years petitioning the authorities to release his seized commercial buses, the family’s only source of income. It is no surprise that the family holds deep resentment toward men in uniform.

Chisom Agoawuike and Adam Garba in To Adaego with Love

For a moment, Adaego tries to share that hatred, staying loyal to her family’s pain. But she cannot deny her feelings for Bala, the one man she imagines a future with. Still, the uncertainty of military life quickly cuts short those hopes. Even as Bala makes early progress toward reconciling the community, their love story remains adrift.

What comes next? To Adaego, With Love, the end of a letter written in the forlorn hope that all is not lost. But indeed it is, and some goodbyes come without warning.

Casts and Performances

The film is well cast, with strong chemistry across the board, whether in protagonist or antagonist roles. The performances pull you into the story and keep you invested. Looking at the main cast individually:

Adaego Ezekwe, played by Chisom Agoawuike, is a maths teacher and the daughter of a respected community elder. She is soft-spoken and refuses to live in bitterness the way her family does. She wants something else; she wants true love. Chisom gives an honest performance here, and Adaego’s innocence feels genuine and believable.

Major Bala, played by Adam Garba, is a role that needed a northern actor with a convincing soldier’s presence and natural charisma. Garba fits the part well. More importantly, his chemistry with Chisom is what truly holds the film together and gives the story its emotional core.

Chief Ezekwe, portrayed by Bob-Manuel Udokwu, is an intimidating presence. He plays a man determined to protect his family from men in uniform after losing so much to them. Bob-Manuel handles the role with authority and carries the weight the character demands.

Elizabeth Ezekwe, played by Chioma Chukwuka, brings the intensity she is well known for. As the Chief’s wife, her character needs to fully support her husband’s stance, and Chioma delivers solidly in this supporting role.

Mama Ezekwe, played by Onyeka Onwenu of blessed memory, is more restrained. She portrays a woman still living with loss, quiet and withdrawn after years of mourning. Her performance is subtle and fitting for the character.

The rest of the supporting cast also perform well, adding the depth needed to sell the story convincingly.

Major Bala and Adaego in To Adaego with Love

Highlights

One of the film’s strongest points is how accurately it reflects the 1975 era. It pays close attention to events surrounding the Nigerian Civil War and its aftermath, including key moments like the military coups of that period. The film also impressively weaves in references to the Angolan Civil War and the ripple effects of Nigeria’s involvement there. All of this adds depth to the story and helps the world feel real and lived in.

The effort put into world-building is also worth noting. From the costumes and military rank details to makeup, set design, props, and overall character design, everything works together to place the film firmly in its time. These details give the movie a convincing and believable look.

To Adaego with Love Movie Poster_Nigerian Movie

At its core, this is a love story set against the backdrop of a post–civil war Nigeria, and the plot is where the film truly shines. The story feels carefully written and grounded in reality, offering both nostalgia and a chance to reflect on that period, especially if one is Igbo. The cinematography is strong, with immersive shots that draw you in.

The use of music further strengthens the film’s emotional pull. Major Bala’s band (oh, did I forget to mention he had a band?) and Adaego’s church choir scenes both add warmth and depth to the story. In many ways, the film feels like a classic Nigerian love novel brought to the screen, drawing from history and telling its story plainly, with visuals that support and elevate the narrative.

Drawbacks

To Adaego With Love sacrifices much of its subplot in favour of the main love story. The post–Civil War narrative feels watered down, as the film places a heavier focus on the romantic drama between the leads. In another context, this might not be an issue, but this is a historical film set in an era that directly shapes the story. It felt fair to expect a deeper look into post–Civil War Nigeria, especially since that backdrop could have strengthened the emotional payoff at the end. Instead, the writing seems to play it safe. Understandably, though, the subject of the Nigerian Civil War remains a sensitive one.

Even with a fairly solid setup, the ending, though sad, doesn’t land as strongly as it could. It lacked the weight and sense of closure that a tragic ending with a hint of hope usually delivers.

To Adaego with Love Movie Poster_Nollywood

Final Thoughts

To Adaego With Love deserves praise as a thoughtful historical romance built around forbidden love. It invites quiet reflection and offers a glimpse into what rebellious hearts must face within family and community. While it doesn’t give its lovers everything they want, it leaves behind a message that endures and that is the fact that love conquers all.

Side note: I would have ended the film with Adaego being driven into the sunset, reading her love letter, her wedding ring visible as her hand rests on her belly, suggesting that a part of her lover still lives on.
It was particularly interesting to remember that, in those days, soldiers’ wives relied only on letters. There were no instant messages and no video calls. That kind of waiting must have been incredibly hard.

Rating

4.5/5

Our Rating of This Movie

Will you go against your family and community’s approval to be with the person you love?

Author

Alexander Azonobo

Alex is a writer with an undeniable passion for movies and the stories they tell. He loves diving into the world of cinema—exploring its themes, characters, and the artistry that brings it all to life. With an eye for detail and a love for storytelling, he writes to share his thoughts and spark conversations about the films that move, challenge, and inspire us.