A new animated Disney series set in a futuristic Lagos has won over its first viewers with a sci-fi play on life in the megacity.

From Lagos slangs to lagoon markets and traffic jams, the Disney+ six-parter “Iwaju” captures everyday urban details and catapults them into a future bristling with high-tech gadgets where some of the city’s present-day problems persist.

It marks Disney’s first collaboration with an outside studio and part of a drive to feature more African animations, which have long been neglected by big foreign entertainment companies.

 

Actress Simisola Gbadamosi poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)

 

Nigerian actress Bisola Aiyeola a voice actor in the Iwaju series, poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)

 

Nigerian actress Chioma Omeruah who played “Chioma” in the Iwaju series, poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)

 

Ahead of its release on Wednesday, media attended a preview with the series’ creators at the IMAX Lekki in Lagos.

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“Iwaju”, which means ‘future’ in Yoruba, was dreamt up by the pan-African entertainment company Kugali, founded in 2017 by Nigerians Olufikayo ‘Ziki’ Adeola and Tolu Olowofoyeku, and Hamid Ibrahim, a Ugandan.

The three suited young men made a grand entrance on the red carpet at the screening on Tuesday night, which was also attended by Nollywood stars and Nigeria’s culture minister.

 

British Nigerian actor Obiesie Madduegbuna aka Lakey in the Iwaju series, poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)

 

Nigerian composer Re Olunuga poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)

 

Co-founder of Kugali media Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku poses at the Iwaju World Premiere at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos Nigeria on February 27, 2024. (Photo by BENSON IBEABUCHI / AFP)