Tubi has acquired Victor Eyike’s Road Trip for international audiences, bringing the thriller drama series to viewers in the United States and Canada. A Nigerian release is expected later this year.
In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Eyike explained that the project began in 2023 as one of four short films commissioned by the Accelerate TV Filmmaker Mentorship Lab. After receiving positive reviews and screening at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2023, strong audience interest led to investor backing and the expansion of the concept into a seven-episode series. Production took place in Nigeria in February 2024.
Executive produced by Henry Falonipe and produced by Omobolanle Onifade, the series follows a cursed taxi kept in the workshop of Oga Thomas, played by Greg Ojefua. In each episode, a desperate new driver finds a way to rent the vehicle, ignoring Oga Thomas’s warnings and facing a series of disasters that challenge their values.
Beyond its supernatural premise, Road Trip explores themes of family, retribution, friendship, and betrayal while presenting a grounded look at the realities of Lagos cab drivers.
“My goal was to showcase the gritty, everyday reality of a Lagos cab driver through a compelling blend of thriller and drama, ensuring the ‘Lagos shuttle’ experience remained high stakes and entertaining,” Eyike said.
The cast includes Greg Ojefua, Kelechi Udegbe, Damilola Oni, Amanda Oruh, Ajayi Korede, and Paul Nnadiekwe.
After nearly two years in post-production, the team encountered several challenges securing distribution as multiple prospective deals fell through. The breakthrough came when Tubi reviewed the project and approved it for distribution, bringing the series to an international streaming platform.
The acquisition marks another step for Nigerian filmmakers seeking wider global audiences through streaming platforms.