Gangs of Lagos (2023) Production Notes

Gangs of Lagos is a high-stakes, gritty, and hard-hitting action crime-thriller, with an authentic storyline centred on a group of childhood friends who each have to navigate destiny, growing up on the bustling streets and neighbourhood of Isale Eko, Lagos. It features elaborate set pieces, action scenes, and engaging dialogue, balanced by a high-octane pace and emotionally grounded story at its core. Starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, and Iyabo Ojo, Gangs of Lagos is directed and produced by Jáde Osiberu.

Please note: Some production notes may contain spoilers.

About GOL (Gangs of Lagos)

The resilient story of people, which mirrors the daily struggle people go through and how they overcome oppression & in some ways, societal injustice.

GOL is a story that represents the “Evidence of Chasing Your Dreams”. GOL represents the true stories of the people of Isale-Eko, a story of survival, community and the juxtaposition of crime & poverty existing right beside the metropolis of Lagos.

A project with women at the forefront - Jade Osiberu (Co-Producer, Director and Co-writer), Kemi Lala (Co-Producer). GOL merges both Old and New Nollywood, with a target audience that cuts across different generations.

To establish the first Amazon Original "GOL" in South Africa, to spark a ton of genuine and organic conversations both online and offline, and to have the ability to shape the narrative in order to give GOL the status that it wants within the demographic.

The Cast

Tobi Bakre

Tobi Bakre is a creative and gifted actor, model, and brand influencer. After earning a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from the University of Lagos, he began his career as an investment banker and worked there for roughly four years.

Tobi switched from banking to acting, and he has been active in the industry for more than four years. His acting career has so far included various Nollywood films. The Blood Covenant, Sugar Rush, and Unintentional, to name a few. He also had a starring role in Jenifa's Diary, a well-known comedy series.

Tobi gained notoriety when he appeared in the 2018 BBNaija reality TV series. Since then, he has been able to secure several Brand Ambassador contracts with companies like Unilever and Amstel Malta.

He has received nominations for a few Nollywood-related awards, including "Best Supporting Actor" and "Most Promising Actor" at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards.

In his most recent movie, "Brotherhood," he gave an exceptional performance and infused the part.

Adesua Etomi-Wellington

Adesua Etomi is a well-known actress from Nigeria who developed a love for acting at a very young age when she joined the theatre club at Corona School in Victoria Island, where she attended primary school.

In the course of her acting career, she has appeared in a great number of films such as Sugar Rush, The Wedding Party, and The Wedding Party 2.

When Adesua relocated to the UK at the age of 13, she formally began learning and pursuing her interests in an acting profession. The City College in Coventry, England, awarded her a diploma in Physical Theatre, Music Theatre, and Performing Arts. She also received First Class Honours in Drama and Performance from the University of Wolverhampton when she graduated in 2009.

In addition, she won a Foresight Theatre Award for the best performance in a specially designed piece of theatre.

Since then, she has developed her talent and skill set. After giving an enthralling performance in 2015 as "Muna" in the feature film Falling, Adesua won the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama.

Along with 13 other actors from around the world, Adesua was also highlighted in the April 2019 issue of Vogue. The magazine issue highlighted prominent women in the entertainment business who have significant worldwide talent.

Chike Osebuka

Chike is a multifaceted and gifted individual with a degree in computer engineering who eventually began to explore his musical career path. Being from a musically inclined/talented family, music has always been a love of his. Early in his career, the singer, composer, and actor took part in the reality talent shows Project Fame West Africa and The Voice Nigeria.

After The Voice Nigeria ended, Chike got signed to Universal Republic and released his debut single, "Fancy U," along with accompanying music video in 2017.

Around the same time, he was appointed an ambassador for Airtel Nigeria.

He made his acting debut on the African Magic Showcase Battleground. Chike's portrayal of "Mayowa Badmus" showed tremendous characterization, which further proved his talent.

In order to pursue a solo music career, he parted ways with Universal Records.

He relentlessly pursues both a music and acting career, and in 2020 he published his debut album, "Boo of the Booless."

Chioma Akpotha

Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, an actress, producer, and director, was born in Lagos state, Nigeria, and holds a BSc in Banking & Finance from Lagos State University.

Chioma made her acting debut in 2000's "The Apple" thanks to her natural talent, aptitude, and love for the craft. She would later have an enduring impression on the industry and the Nollywood fan base. She is well noted for her talent at accurately portraying the personalities of the characters she plays in her films, giving them authenticity.

She has nearly two decades worth of acting experience, over 350 acting credits, and six production credits. She has received numerous honours for her outstanding performances, including the Best Actress in a Lead Role Award at the African Movie Academy Awards for the film Sins of the Flesh and the Best Actress in a Lead Role Award at the Afro Hollywood Awards in London.

In addition to acting, the honoree is also a public speaker and mentors young people as often as she can. She recently introduced a platform for building capacity called Masterclass With Chioma, where budding talent, particularly actors, is educated by seasoned directors, screenwriters, actors, and other industry professionals on what it takes to make it in cinema, TV, and theatre.

Bimbo Ademoye

A Nigerian actress, TV host, and model born in Lagos. Ademoye is one of the popular faces currently seen on cinema, captivating moviegoers with her acting talent. Ademoye made her acting debut in the 2017 short film Where Talent Lies. The movie was screened at the Africa International Film Festival and received a prize there.

She gained notoriety when she appeared in her first real film, About Your Husband. Uduak Isong gave her the chance to take part in the project. In the 2018 film "Gone," which was directed by Daniel Ademinokan, Bimbo appeared with Stella Damasus.

She also had a role in "Backup Wife," which led to a Nigeria Entertainment Awards nomination for Best Lead Role. Ademoye also demonstrated her agility in "Personal Assistant," which earned her the Best Actress in a Supporting Role honour. She has been in several blockbuster films and appeared on television alongside renowned Nigerian actors and actresses.

Iyabo Ojo

Iyabo Ojo, a Yoruba movie star and cast member of The Real Housewives of Lagos, is a Nollywood actress, brand influencer, businesswoman, and Tik Tok sensation. She serves as the company's chief executive officer.

She began performing when she joined a theatre company at secondary school. She began her professional career in 1998. She has produced over 14 of her own films in addition to appearing in over 150 others.

Her debut appearance was in the 1998 English-language movie Satanic. She debuted in the Yoruba language in 2002 with Baba Darijinwon.

Her movie Silence, starring Joseph Benjamin Alex Usifo, Fathia Balogun, and Doris Simeon, had its world premiere at the Silverbird Cinemas in Ikeja, Lagos, in January 2015.

Jade Osiberu

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, screenwriter, director, and producer Jadesola Osiberu. Following the directorial debut with Isoken, Jade quickly earned the well deserved recognition. She is the CEO and founder of Greoh Studios.

Jade pursued a master's degree in media and communications before deciding to transfer to filmmaking, which was her genuine calling. After joining the GTBank Digital Marketing team and launching Ndani TV, she rose to prominence. For Ndani TV, Jadesola has also developed and directed a variety of shows, including "Gidi Up" and "The Juice."

Osiberu started her production company, Tribe85 Productions, in 2017 with the goal of telling African stories to a global audience. In 2018, she was the focal point of the Scotland Nollywood Film Festival. Years after her work on Isoken, Jade is making a comeback to the director's chair with Gangs of Lagos.