To Be A Friend is a YouTube Nollywood drama directed by Great Val Edochie and penned by Bimbo Ademoye. Available on Bimbo Ademoye TV, this film delves into the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the quest for justice.
Plot
The movie opens with Tega in prison, immediately pulling viewers into the suspense. From there, the story unfolds in a series of flashbacks that explain how he landed there.
Years ago, Tega and Tunde were inseparable friends at university. While Tunde was a charismatic ladies’ man from a wealthy background, Tega was more reserved and shy, particularly around a girl he liked but couldn’t approach. Despite their differences, their bond was strong. Tunde often helped Tega financially and shared his dream of founding a tech company, planning to make Tega the COO when it became a reality.
After graduation, life took them on different paths, and they lost touch. A decade later, Tega is now the CEO of a tech company built on the very idea Tunde once shared with him. One day, by chance, Tega finds Tunde again, only this time, living in complete poverty. After hearing about Tunde’s misfortunes, including the death of his father and the collapse of the family business, Tega sympathetically appoints Sunday as COO.
Around the same time, Tega reconnects with his long-time university crush, Folasade. He pursues her with passion, eventually winning her heart, and they get married. Years into their marriage, however, Folasade begins to feel neglected as Tega becomes increasingly consumed by work and business travel.
On their wedding anniversary, Tega makes a heartfelt promise to focus more on their marriage and even suggests a vacation. But just moments later, he receives a business call requiring him to travel to Ireland the next day. Folasade is deeply hurt, and they have a heated argument.
The next morning, Tega wakes up with blood on his shirt and no memory of the night before. Soon after, Tunde arrives unexpectedly, saying Tega called him, and shortly afterwards, the police show up. The maid confirms that there was an intense argument the night before, and forensics identify the blood on Tega’s shirt as Folasade’s. He’s arrested for her murder and sent to maximum prison, with no trial and no bail.
In prison, Tega struggles to adjust until he meets Rugged, an inmate who helps him adapt and survive. Meanwhile, Tega paid for Rugged’s daughter’s heart surgery. Because of this, Rugged feels deeply indebted to him and is willing to do anything to protect and help him.
Back outside, Sunday continued visiting Tega, claiming that legal efforts were underway. But as months roll into years, the visits become less frequent. Eventually, Ini, Tega’s assistant, confides in Tega that Tunde has been syphoning company funds into a private account. When Tega confronts Tunde, he makes excuses, saying he was trying to salvage the company. But communication stops altogether soon after.
Then comes the big twist: during a video call to Tunde’s phone, Tega sees Folasade, alive. Instantly, he realises that her “murder” was part of a calculated betrayal. Determined to uncover the truth, Tega begins plotting his escape from prison. He studies the routines of guards and the layout of the prison. Eventually, Rugged, who has also been observing, reveals a secret escape route. Together, they execute a successful prison break.
Back at his former home, Tega discovers that Tunde has completely taken over his life. He also confronts Folasade, who tearfully admits that her growing distance from Tega and his neglect led her to Tunde. Together, they plotted the betrayal.
The question is, will Tega forgive, fight, or flee?
Cast
The casting for To Be A Friend was undeniably one of its strongest elements. With a star-studded lineup, the film featured familiar faces that could easily draw attention, but beyond name recognition, the casting choices were truly impressive. One standout detail was the effort put into selecting younger versions of Kunle Remi and Deyemi Okanlawon (Desmond Bryce and Peace Remi); their physical resemblance added authenticity and made the story flow more naturally.
Deyemi Okanlawon, who played Tunde, delivered exactly what you’d expect: intensity, depth, and emotional range. He knows how to hold the screen and make you feel every bit of his character’s conflict. He also lent his voice to the film’s voiceovers, which were engaging, expressive, and very believable. The narration was a great complement to the visuals, keeping the audience emotionally connected throughout.
Kunle Remi also stood out in his role, effortlessly switching between charm, vulnerability, and resolve. His performance was emotionally charged and deeply convincing.
Bimbo Ademoye, although more passive in this film, was still very effective. She delivered a calm, controlled performance that matched her role in the story without overshadowing the leads.
One unforgettable highlight was Uzor Arukwe, who played Rugged. Uzor has become a reliable comic relief in many films, and this role was no exception. Just seeing him appear on screen already hinted at moments of humour.
Other cast members include Ayuba Adebayo, Wole Olayinka, Oyindamola Adebayo, and Tersy Akpata.
Language
The language used was a mix of English and Pidgin, with Pidgin more prevalent in the prison scenes.
Final take
To Be a Friend was an engaging and thoughtfully produced film. At this point, it’s clear that Bimbo Ademoye has built a consistent track record of delivering projects with solid storytelling and intentionality. This wasn’t just another YouTube movie; it was a well-written, well-paced piece that demanded your attention and rewarded your patience with depth and twists.
From the plot to the performances, you could feel the care that went into every layer: the script was tight, the vision was clear, and the execution was skilful. The costume design also helped elevate the believability of each scene, adding a layer of realism that pulled viewers further into the story.
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