Popular Yoruba actor and filmmaker, Jide Awobona, has found himself at the centre of a heated social media storm following his dramatic transformation into a female character for an upcoming film. The project, titled 'Rise With Me', aims to highlight the strength and resilience of women, but the actor's method has ignited a fierce debate among Nigerians.
From Actor to Actress: Awobona's Bold Character Choice
Awobona recently took to social media to unveil his new role, sharing a picture that showed him fully dressed as a woman, complete with makeup and carrying a baby. In the caption accompanying the post, the actor expressed his intent, writing, "I celebrate the unbreakable spirit of women who rise above adversity, shatter glass ceilings, and inspire generations to come." He explained that his transformation was a creative decision meant to reflect the film's core focus on women overcoming significant hardships and challenges.
The visual, which quickly went viral, was meant to generate anticipation for the yet-to-be-released movie. However, the reaction was not what the actor might have hoped for, as it triggered a wave of criticism and mixed feelings across various platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).
Social Media Erupts: Defence and Criticism Collide
The backlash was swift and pointed. A significant number of commenters questioned the necessity of a man playing a woman's role in Nollywood, arguing that there are plenty of talented actresses available. One user, Eminitybaba_, pointedly asked, "There aren't women again in the industry?" Another, MrAnuoluwapoO, suggested, "Just get another actor to play the role, how hard is that?"
Some criticisms took a more cultural or religious tone, with user De-gal-glacis noting, "To think he’s a Muslim, haha," while ComrEfemena strongly opposed the concept, stating, "I will not be watching this. This nonsense must not be normalised in Nigeria. We are gradually allowing this satanic agenda into the country as a norm."
However, not all reactions were negative. Several netizens came to Awobona's defence, citing the long history of cross-gender acting in global cinema. User Ammmeenah provided context, commenting, "I don’t understand the fuss about this. Cross-gender acting is actually a thing... We’ve seen it in so many movies like White chicks, Madea, Sorority boys, Mulan, She’s the man etc." Others, like hopsy_braimoh, praised his acting chops despite the controversy, saying, "Jide really sabi this acting but he doesn’t need all this lmao."
Awobona's Reaction and Personal Life in the Spotlight
Faced with the growing online discourse, Jide Awobona responded indirectly via his Instagram story on December 17, 2025. He seemed surprised by the intensity of the backlash, writing, "What am I seeing about Rise With Me on X? What will now happen when the movie drops?"
This incident has also brought the actor's personal life back into public conversation. Earlier in the year, on January 30, 2025, Awobona celebrated his 40th birthday and his 10th wedding anniversary. To mark the milestone, he shared photos with his wife and their seven children, which had previously sparked public curiosity about his large family.
This is not the first time Awobona has publicly taken a stand on industry issues. Legit.ng previously reported that he defended fellow actress Funke Akindele during the online controversy following the death of actress Adejumoke Aderounmu, explaining how Akindele had tried to help the deceased.
As the debate continues, the anticipation for 'Rise With Me' has undoubtedly grown, albeit for reasons beyond the film's intended message. The incident highlights the delicate balance artists must strike between creative expression and cultural sensitivities in Nigeria's vibrant film industry.
