What should have been another routine Nollywood shoot in Lekki, Lagos, turned into a moment of rare crew defiance on June 18, 2025. Veteran actor Femi Branch found himself at the center of an on-set standoff, after allegations of assault against a crew member surfaced.
Within hours, the production ground to a halt, the set was locked down, and the incident spilled into the public eye through a now-viral video. As questions mounted, so did pressure—from crew unions, the media, and the watching industry.
What really happened that day, and why did it shake Nollywood’s long-standing hierarchy?
The Incident: A Slap, A Shutdown, and a Locked Gate
Eyewitnesses say tensions began during a morning scene setup involving dual-camera coordination. A miscommunication prompted the First Assistant Director (1st AD) to knock on a door occupied by Branch. What followed, according to multiple reports, was a confrontation that escalated quickly. Branch allegedly responded with verbal abuse—and a slap.
Within minutes, the crew walked off set. In an unprecedented move, they locked the estate gate, refusing to continue filming or allow Branch to leave until the matter was addressed.
Scene-by-Scene Breakdown: The June 18 Timeline
Morning Tension
The shoot was scheduled for a crucial scene involving two camera setups (Camera A and Camera B), with ingredients rapidly falling behind schedule. At some point, Camera A started rolling without Camera B or the 1st AD fully positioned, a breakdown in coordination that would spark conflict .
The Triggering Knock
The 1st AD approached a changing room to alert those inside, notably including Branch, knocking to highlight the timing issue. According to a union statement, Branch took offense at this knock. When the 1st AD pointed out the early roll, Branch allegedly responded angrily and slapped the AD .
Shock and Strategy
The slap stunned the entire crew. Shock quickly turned into solidarity: grips, DOPs, gaffers, assistants, about 40 people, immediately walked off and surrounded the main gate. When Branch tried to leave, they refused to let him out .
Gate Lockdown: Crew’s Collective Action
Symbolic & Physical Defiance
This was a rare collision: crew members asserting their rights not just through work stoppage, but by physically locking the gate. According to reports, the movie director and estate’s security team also played a part, barring Branch from leaving until he addressed the situation .
A Viral Showdown
The broadcast footage that evening, showed Branch at the locked gate protesting:
“Did I have business with you? Are you the one that called me to set? Did you bring me here to embarrass me?”
The clip spread across X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, igniting discussions around crew rights and star accountability.
Official Response from the Crew Union
On June 19, the Film and Video Crew Employers Association of Nigeria (FVCEAN) issued a public statement—reported by media outlets.
“On 18 June 2025, during a production shoot, Mr. Femi Branch physically assaulted the 1st AD… The crew stood in full solidarity… refusing to film until an apology was made. When the actor tried to leave, the gate was locked. Under pressure, an assurance of apology was given. Filming resumed.”
The union praised the crew’s decision and emphasized that violence has no place on set.
The Silent Star: Did Femi Branch Apologize?
Despite the severity of the situation and the viral visibility, Femi Branch has not issued any public statement as of June 22, 2025.
However, according to both the crew union and reports by media outlets, he apologized on set later that day after producers intervened. This apology was reportedly verbal and delivered to the affected 1st AD and the rest of the crew.
The union confirmed that filming resumed after this moment, with the same crew members and the same production schedule.
But many observers remain unsettled. Without a public apology, questions remain about whether the issue was truly resolved—or merely swept under the industry’s well-worn rug.
Public Reaction: Fans and Professionals Speak
Online Responses
On social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians debated the issue:
“From the way he behaves in movies, you go know say the man get anger issues.”
“No be today Femi dey do like say he be king for set.”
“They did the right thing. This crew has guts.”
Others defended Branch, questioning whether the viral video was being used to smear him unnecessarily.
“Didn’t he apologize? Why drag the matter online?”
“Una dey always find way to cancel person wey no dey do una bidding.”
Industry Voices
Some Nollywood directors and producers acknowledged that outbursts from stars are common—but rarely confronted.
Industry Context & Power Dynamics
Crew: Until Now, Silent
Historically, Nollywood crews have lacked formal protections. Confidential contracts, verbal promises, and tight budgets have all contributed to a culture where verbal abuse is normalized—but seldom challenged.
A Movement to Change
This incident illustrates a power shift:
- Gate lockdown as literal and symbolic defiance.
- Crew unions speaking publicly and forcefully.
- A viral video giving crew a voice and visibility it lacked.
Femi Branch: Career and the Clash
His Legacy
Branch is an established actor—roles in Out of Luck, House of Ga’a, Iwájú, and Desperate Housewives Africa anchor his reputation as a veteran artist.
Past Behavior?
While no official record of on-set violence exists before now, Femi’s public image is typically one of professionalism and seriousness—but some describe him as “demanding” and “emotionally intense—but not previously accused of assault.
Bigger Picture: Power & Prevented Escalation
1. Crew Empowerment
This incident signals a shift in Nollywood’s balance of power:
- Crew unity disrupted the long-standing deference to high‑profile actors.
- Gate lockdown became symbolic of crew refusing to be passive.
- Union involvement reinforces growing calls for formalized respect protocols.
2. Industry Context
Nigerian production contracts often lack explicit behavioral clauses.
This incident may prompt adoption of set conduct guidelines, or even ombuds structures in production teams.
Broader legislative implications revolve around workplace safety and dignity, areas currently under-regulated in the Nollywood space.
3. Policy Change Momentum
Producers may now draft behavior clauses in contracts.
The incident could become a case study for actor preparedness and crew rights.
Final Thoughts
On-set workplace culture in Nollywood is at a crossroads. The crew’s blockade reflects a deeper yearning—for respect, safety, and equality. Femi Branch’s apology, though unpublicized, suggests recognition of crossing a line; yet his silence in public leaves unresolved questions.
Will this incident be a turning point? Or will it fade like so many before it?
