Nollywood titan and revered thespian, Sam Dede, has pulled back the curtain on the unlikely moment that catapulted him from a quiet life as a university lecturer to continental superstardom, his unforgettable role as Ebube in the cult-classic movie Issakaba.
In a stunning revelation that underscores the cultural power of cinema, Dede described how one film changed the entire trajectory of his life, earning him fame, fear, and fierce respect across Africa. “When I was called to act in the Issakaba movie, in which I played Ebube, I was still a lecturer,” Dede disclosed.
“They told me about the role, and I asked myself, ‘How will my students feel when they see this film?’ But I decided to take the role anyway, not knowing it would be the movie that would make me go viral beyond my imagination.”
That decision would prove to be a defining moment not just in his career, but in Nigerian pop culture. “Issakaba is the most-watched movie I’ve ever acted in. It went viral across Africa. That was the film that made the continent know who Sam Dede truly is.”
But the most shocking part? The legendary actor says his on-screen persona as Ebube, the fearless vigilante warrior was so powerful, even real-life criminals feared him.“The impact was massive, even real-life armed robbers were scared of me because of that role!” he declared.
Released in the early 2000s, Issakaba was inspired by the real-life Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group known for their brutal crackdown on crime. The movie struck a raw nerve across Nigeria, speaking to a population tired of lawlessness and desperate for justice. Dede’s portrayal of Ebube turned him into a larger-than-life figure not just an actor, but a symbol of justice, courage, and unshakable authority.
The character became so iconic that for years, fans blurred the line between fiction and reality. Communities revered him. Criminals avoided him. And his name echoed in households across West Africa.
Now, decades later, Sam Dede reflects on that legacy not with pride alone, but with awe. “It was bigger than acting. It became a movement. And I became its face, whether I was ready or not.”
From lecture halls to movie sets, from chalk to machete, Sam Dede’s journey is a reminder of how one bold decision can redefine a destiny and build a legend.
