The documentary Têtes Plongeantes, which achieved remarkable success in France in December 2025 with 10 million views and sparked a national conversation on athlete well-being, recently held its highly anticipated Lagos premiere at the Alliance Française de Lagos.
Documentary Premiere and Panel Discussion
Co-produced by Franco-Nigerian entrepreneur Wale Gbadamosi Oyekanmi for Booska-P, Génération 2018, and So Press, the documentary features intimate accounts from French World Cup winners. The Lagos event successfully exported its mission to Nigeria, igniting a vibrant and long-overdue discussion on mental health in the Nigerian sporting and professional landscape.
The premiere served as a catalyst for breaking the silence surrounding psychological health. Following the screening, a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Chude Jideonwo explored the shared pressures faced by elite performers in both France and Nigeria.
Panelists and Insights
After an introduction by Wale Gbadamosi Oyekanmi, who discussed the vision of bringing this French-born initiative to Nigerian audiences, the panel featured a powerhouse lineup of voices:
- Desire Oparanozie, a professional footballer who provided a critical perspective on the unique vulnerabilities she faced.
- Ebunoluwa Collins, COO of Blueroom Care, a leading expert who outlined actionable pathways for mental healthcare in Nigeria.
- Subair Disun, a young Lagosian who shared his personal mental health experiences and treatment.
Chude Jideonwo, author of How Depression Saved My Life and founder of the WithChude.com podcast, moderated the discussion.
Impact and Testimonials
Têtes Plongeantes, available on YouTube, has been instrumental in dismantling the 'tough it out' stigma that often defines high-performance environments. Oparanozie remarked, 'I experienced what Samuel Umtiti shared in the documentary; not prioritising your mental health over your career can be deadly.'
By bringing these conversations to Lagos, the organisers mirrored the impact the film achieved in France, where the participation of World Cup heroes helped normalise the idea that mental struggle is part of the human experience, not a failure of character.
'The resonance we saw tonight confirms that the desire for mental health support transcends borders,' stated the co-producer. 'Just as this documentary helped start a movement in France, we are hopeful that today's event marks the beginning of sustained, structural change in how mental health is prioritised and discussed across Nigerian society.'
Moving Forward
The event successfully positioned mental health as a critical pillar of professional success, moving the narrative from taboo to essential conversation. 'If a young person feels less alone after watching this film or an excerpt and reacts by asking for help, then we have succeeded. As Gaëtane Thiney says, what we are doing will give a lot of strength to everyone,' Gbadamosi Oyekanmi said.
Têtes Plongeantes (Diving Headers) is a collaborative project between Booska-P, Génération 2018, and So Press. Through raw and candid storytelling, the documentary highlights the psychological realities behind the glamour of elite sports, encouraging athletes and the public alike to seek help and embrace vulnerability as a cornerstone of strength.
