Makemation premiered in Nigerian cinemas on April 18, 2025. It is currently showing in select theatres nationwide and is expected to stream on Prime Video later in the year.
Rated PG-13, the film blends coming-of-age drama with science fiction and delivers a powerful message about youth empowerment, innovation, and the transformative potential of technology. Directed by Michael Akinrogunde and written by Nengi Diri and Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Makemation brings a fresh, heartfelt perspective to the Nigerian film landscape.
The Premise
In the bustling heart of a Nigerian neighbourhood where football games fill the streets and gender roles are tightly drawn, Makemation tells the story of Zara Sodangi, a bright and determined teenage girl quietly pushing against a wall of tradition. Her family encourages Yara to chase football dreams, while they expect Zara to cook, clean, and abandon her ambitions.
Her household prioritises boys, even at the dinner table, while it expects girls to cook, clean, and stay unseen. After completing secondary school, most girls in her community marry or pick up a trade. But Zara sees a future that extends beyond the kitchen walls. She begins interning at a local computer centre, where her skills blossom and her vision sharpens. Her world expands after visiting a local STEM lab, discovering Makemation, a competitive program empowering young tech talents in Nigeria.
Zara dares to apply despite not having a laptop, a strong financial background, or her father’s support. With encouragement from her friend Achike, she takes a bold step while balancing home duties, siblings, and market errands. But her father keeps dismissing her ambitions, even demanding she miss her internship just to take her brother to practice. When she offers her allowance, he saves it for her brother’s future, not hers.
Acceptance into Makemation arrives after a tense wait for her and Achike, who sadly doesn’t make the final cut. At the tech school, Zara proposes STEMgees, an app that empowers girls to pursue STEM careers, directly challenging the belief system she grew up under. Her presentation is brave and honest, and it stands out.
Her struggles continue: her father falls ill, and the family faces mounting hospital bills. Zara applies her growing tech knowledge to monitor his symptoms, which helps doctors give a correct diagnosis — saving his life. But her father dismisses her efforts and violently smashes her hard-earned laptop when he discovers her secret education. “I wish I had only sons,” he spits — a moment that nearly breaks her.
Still, Zara doesn’t stop. She navigates hardship with resolve, even after loan sharks steal her laptop. She regains her footing through support from her mentor, Dave and her unshakable purpose. At the program’s graduation, the grand prize goes to a more privileged peer, but Zara receives the Social Impact Award and a scholarship abroad for STEMgees.
Makemation is not just a film about ambition; it’s a powerful story of resilience, gender roles, and how one girl dares to defy an entire system. In her final scene, standing before a classroom of young girls, Zara speaks with conviction: “You can be anything. Even in STEM.”
Casts and Performances
Tomi Ojo leads the cast with a compelling performance as Zara Sodangi, effortlessly capturing the quiet strength and determination of a young girl chasing her dreams. Ibrahim Chatta delivers a powerful portrayal as her stern father, Jato Sodangi, while Chioma Chukwuka brings warmth and subtle resilience to the role of her mother, Ginika Sodangi.
Nifemi Lawal plays Zara’s younger brother, Yara, with natural charm, and Chimezie Imo shines as her loyal and supportive friend, Achike Ejike.
Chuks Joseph is convincing as the privileged Divine Douglas, and Michael Dapaah brings a grounded presence to Dave Oche, Zara’s mentor.
The film also features stellar appearances from Richard Mofe-Damijo, Jide Kosoko, Ali Nuhu, Elvina Ibru, Jude Chukwuka, Tony Umez, Damilola Ogunsi, and Yvonne Jegede.
Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their roles, but it’s Tomi Ojo who stands out, anchoring the film with emotional range and quiet intensity that makes Zara’s journey feel genuinely personal.
What I Liked
What stood out most for me was the heart of the story — a deeply relevant and necessary conversation about gender roles in African society. Makemation thoughtfully tackles the reality that, in many communities, girls are still discouraged from pursuing education or dreams beyond marriage or domestic life. It doesn’t just highlight the problem; it offers hope, showing the power of resilience and what’s possible when even one person dares to dream differently.
I also appreciated how the story weaves in technology, not just as a backdrop but as a tool for transformation. The film powerfully shows how technology can unlock opportunities for underserved youth when passion, support, and access come together.
The settings brought everything to life in a very believable way. From the bustling family home to the vibrant tech school, every location felt authentic, immersive, and true to the story. The tech school especially drew me in; it felt like a place where futures are actually made.
And of course, Tomi Ojo’s performance as Zara deserves special mention. She gave her all — her quiet strength, her moments of vulnerability, and that fire behind her eyes when she refused to give up. You could feel her struggle, and at times, it was genuinely moving. Her performance gave the film its soul.
Weak Points
While Makemation delivers a powerful story, a few things didn’t quite land for me. One of them was Zara’s big innovation — the STEMgees app. It was introduced as her main project, and the idea behind it was inspiring. But beyond the pitch, we never really get to see it take shape. There’s no moment where we watch her build it, test it, or even explain how it works in practice. Instead, we jump to her mentoring other girls, which is beautiful in its own right, but it leaves the development of the actual app feeling unfinished.
Also, for a film that puts so much emphasis on a tech-based school, I expected to see more hands-on action. We’re shown glimpses of impressive finished products, but not much of the actual learning or making process. There were no scenes where we see students building, coding, or solving problems together, which felt like a missed opportunity. The school had so much potential to be a character on its own, yet it remained more of a concept than a fully realised part of the story. A bit more depth in that area could’ve elevated the experience and made the tech journey more believable.
Final Thoughts
Makemation is a groundbreaking Nollywood film that blends technology, innovation, and heartfelt storytelling in a relatable coming-of-age narrative. While it may not be as tech-heavy or gadget-filled as some might expect, it doesn’t need to be. Its strength lies in using technology as a backdrop to highlight gender roles, access, and the power of community support. It’s a film that lingers, not just emotionally, but by challenging viewers to reflect on true equality for every child. A quiet revolution wrapped in a deeply human story, setting a bold new tone for tech-inspired Nollywood storytelling.
Rating
I would rate this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What did Makemation make you feel — inspired, curious, or maybe nostalgic? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
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