A Tray of Locust Beans: Film Premiere Highlights Sexual Violence Against the Girl Child

Adeniran Mary Modupeoluwa

The Nigerian film industry has once again turned to storytelling as a tool for social advocacy, with the premiere of A Tray of Locust Beans, a short film highlighting sexual violence, child exploitation and the challenges surrounding the protection of vulnerable girls.

The film premiered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at FilmHouse Cinema, Landmark, Victoria Island, Lagos. The screening was organised by Lufodo Productions in collaboration with Kinsman Studios, following the film’s selection as an official entry for the 2026 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

Commissioned by Above Whispers Media Foundation in partnership with the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, the production seeks to draw attention to the experiences of young girls exposed to abuse, exploitation and institutional neglect.

Adapted from a short story by women’s rights advocate and author, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, A Tray of Locust Beans follows the story of Mabel, a thirteen-year-old girl who loses her parents and is sent to live with her grandmother in Epe, Lagos State.

Forced to hawk locust beans to support herself, Mabel becomes vulnerable to sexual exploitation by men who take advantage of her circumstances. The story explores the consequences of poverty, inadequate child protection and the silence that often surrounds sexual abuse.

The film, directed by Orobosa Ikponmwen, features Somachi Chilaka in a leading role, alongside veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva and Korede Lawal. Its screenplay was written by Ololade Okedare and Ayobola Eniola, while Joke Silva, Soji Jacobs and Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi served as executive producers.

The subject of the film also draws attention to the history of efforts to combat sexual violence in Nigeria, particularly the significant interventions made in Ekiti State during the administration of former Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi.

During his tenure, his wife, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, championed the campaign against gender-based violence, advocating for stronger legal protections for women and children. Her intervention also brought attention to cases of sexual abuse involving minors, including the arrest of a police officer found guilty of raping an orphan in 2011.

These efforts culminated in the passage of the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law, which was signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi on November 25, 2011. Ekiti thereby became the first state in Nigeria to enact a law specifically addressing gender-based violence. The legislation provided legal protection against physical, economic, psychological and sexual abuse.

The state further strengthened its response in 2013 with the establishment of Nigeria’s first state-level Sexual Offenders Register, designed to document convicted sexual offenders and serve as a deterrent against further offences.

Beyond its cinematic presentation, the production seeks to challenge societal attitudes towards sexual violence, particularly the tendency to silence victims and overlook the abuse of children within homes and informal guardianship arrangements.

The premiere also featured a post-screening conversation designed to encourage discussions around the issues presented in the film, including the responsibility of families, communities and institutions in protecting the girl child.

Through its collaboration with organisations focused on women’s rights, policy advocacy and social justice, the film highlights the role of creative storytelling in raising awareness and encouraging conversations that can contribute to social change.

As A Tray of Locust Beans prepares for its festival screenings at AFRIFF 2026, its message remains clear: protecting the girl child requires more than words. It demands that society listens, speaks up and takes responsibility for the safety of its most vulnerable members.