A fresh Nigerian Netflix production, The Herd , has emerged as the focal point of a national discussion regarding its daring depiction of ab...
- A fresh Nigerian Netflix production,The Herd, has emerged as the focal point of a national discussion regarding its daring depiction of abductions
- Some audiences, particularly from the northern region, are demanding that Netflix be prohibited, while others argue the film reflects Nigeria's difficult truths.
- The movie represents actor Daniel Etim-Effiong's first time behind the camera and has already surpassed 30 million views just days after its launch.
A new debate has taken hold of Nigeria's entertainment industry following the launch of the Netflix movieThe Herd, directed by Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong.
What was intended to be a joyous occasion for the actor's first time behind the camera has now become a nationwide debate marked by intense discussions on representation.
The movie, which debuted on Friday, November 17, 2025, has remarkably received more than 30 million views.
However, the same film that has captured worldwide interest is the one some Nigerians wish to be entirely taken off their screens.
The Herdrelates the compelling tale of ordinary Nigerians fighting to stay alive in a society where abductions are now a common threat.
The story examined the brutal assaults connected to thieves and Fulani cattle herders.
Some audience members, particularly from Muslim and Northern backgrounds, find the depiction to be unjust and damaging.
They claimed that the plot portrays a whole group in a negative way and might increase existing public stereotypes.
The opposition grew stronger on X (formerly Twitter), where a frustrated group started encouraging Nigerians to remove the Netflix application as a form of protest.
But not everyone agrees.
Many Nigerians feel that the movie only portrays the harsh truths that the nation experiences daily. According to this group, the film is not an insult; it's a mirror.
They claim that film should be permitted to present difficult narratives, particularly when these tales compel the country to address matters that have been hidden for a long time.
For them, requesting a ban merely sidesteps the more meaningful discussions the movie aimed to provoke.
Watch the preview of the film:
The film "The Herd" faces criticism on the internet
Articlepedia Today.ngcollected the responses of online users below:
A former aide to President Buhari, @BashirAhmaad, commented that the film depicted an ethnic group inaccurately.
He stated:
The reason some Arewa people are upset aboutThe HerdThe film is not due to us rejecting the reality of banditry, quite the opposite. It highlights the harmful effects of stereotyping an entire ethnic group and region that has endured significant hardship over the years. I saw the trailer on @NetflixNaija, and although I haven't watched the full movie yet, one major issue that is evident is stereotyping...
@Fulani_Tutor said:
Prohibit Netflix, reject the majority, remove Netflix from your phone. As a Muslim, you should not be involved with this film. Prohibit Netflix.
azeez__abdul remarked:
Keep spreading your hatred towards Muslims in Nigeria! We don't care about your animosity and propaganda! Why not focus more on yourself and your faith instead of trying everything to damage the reputation of a specific religion and people! There are good and bad individuals in every tribe and religion! A Muslim would never engage in such behavior. The West has attempted this for centuries and failed, ultimately backfiring by educating many misguided people.
Daniel Etim-Effiong's wife turns red because of him
Meanwhile,Articlepedia Today.ngit was reported that Toyosi turned red when she saw a photo of her husband, Daniel Etim-Effiong, on a movie poster.
Toyosi mentioned that although she frequently encountered her husband, she was able to stop feeling embarrassed around him.
The actress's spouse has consistently been candid about her deep affection for her partner.
