Director Zulumoke Oyibo has described her upcoming film, Okanjuwa, as a story rooted in Lagos and shaped by lived experience. She said the project draws directly from the realities of everyday life in the city she has known all her life.
Speaking in an interview with The Nollywood Reporter (TNR), Oyibo explained that the film explores ambition, relationships, and survival through character-driven storytelling. She added that Lagos remains central to how the narrative unfolds and how the characters respond to their environment.
Set for a May 22 cinema release, Okanjuwa is written by Fatimah Gimsay and features an ensemble cast including Kunle Remi, Tomike Adeoye, Omowunmi Dada, Uzor Arukwe, Femi Adebayo, Blessing Nze, Olaiya Igwe, Ruby Okezie, Tobi Makinde, and Bianca Ugowanne. The film marks Oyibo’s second feature as a director following Betrayed.
Oyibo said the casting helped ground the story in familiar social realities. She noted that the characters were drawn from everyday personalities that audiences can easily recognise in their communities.
“It helped that the story is very relatable, as the characters reflect people we encounter in everyday life,” she said. She added that this familiarity made it easier for the actors to embody their roles naturally.
The film also uses humour as a key storytelling tool, reflecting how Nigerians respond to difficult situations. Oyibo said this tone was intentionally embedded in both writing and performance.
“Nigerians know how to infuse humour in any situation. We laugh so that we do not cry,” she said. She noted that the actors brought authenticity to these mannerisms through their performances.
At its core, Okanjuwa follows three couples navigating Lagos through different experiences of ambition and survival. Oyibo explained that the city itself functions as an active force shaping decisions and outcomes.
“There’s reality hidden in humour, and reflection exposed through chaos,” she said. “It captures both the struggles and the energy that define Lagos living.”
She added that the film also encourages reflection on behaviours that have become normalised within society. According to her, the story holds a mirror to everyday choices and consequences.
“The film allows us to reflect on attitudes and decisions we have normalised as a community,” Oyibo said.
Writer Fatimah Gimsay also described the project as rooted in cultural experience, noting its setting around the Ileya festivities in Lagos. She said the process was collaborative and shaped by shared creative direction.
“The writing process was interactive, and the setting makes it especially relatable,” she said.
Okanjuwa is produced by Inkblot and distributed by FilmOne Studios.
