Iwájú: Proof That African Stories Belong on the World Stage
If you’ve ever been caught in a heated Island vs. Mainland Lagos debate, then Iwájú will resonate on a deep, nostalgic level. But this time, the battleground isn’t traffic or jollof, it’s the future.
Set in a vibrant, reimagined Lagos of tomorrow, Iwájú isn’t just an animated series, it’s a cultural revolution.
This six-part sci-fi miniseries is Disney Animation’s first-ever original long-form series, created in collaboration with the Nigerian-founded, Pan-African studio Kugali Media.
Rooted in Yoruba language and spirit, and bursting with Lagos energy, Iwájú has now introduced the world to our heartbeat, through panels and pixels.
Two Worlds, One Future
At the center of Iwájú is the unlikely duo: Tola, a curious girl from the affluent Island, and Kole, a Mainland-born tech wiz and tinkerer.
Their friendship becomes an adventure, one that unearths secrets hidden beneath the neon skyline and challenges the status quo of a divided city.
If Lagos’s hustle is part of your DNA, Iwájú transforms it into Afro-futurist magic. The aesthetic? Equal parts sci-fi and soul, with Lagos’s rhythms pulsing through every frame.
A Partnership That Broke the Frame
Why does Iwájú matter?
It’s Disney Animation’s first collaboration with an external studio in over a century.
The partnership with Kugali Media stands as a milestone in global animation
Olufikayo “Ziki” Adeola, Kugali’s co-founder, directed and co-wrote the series (alongside Halima Hudson), maintaining creative control and authenticity
It premiered in Lagos at Filmhouse IMAX Lekki, a cultural event that brought the heart of the city into the movie theaters.
From Lagos to Global and Logging Awards
The impact on the Nigerian animation scene has been seismic. Suddenly, local artists and storytellers are seeing doors open. The co-production showed that African creativity isn’t a niche, it’s a global draw.
Iwájú has secured three Children’s & Family Emmy nominations, cementing its place in animation history.
One of the nods honors Simisola Gbadamosi (voice of Tola) as Younger Voice Performer, making her the youngest Nigerian ever nominated. The series also scored recognition for Outstanding Animated Series and Directing.
On Reddit, one fan put it simply:
“At just 13 years old, Simisola Gbadamosi is making history as the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for an Emmy!”
Industry Ripples: Animation in Nigeria Is Leveled Up
Since Iwájú premiered, signs of its influence are everywhere:
Increased investor interest in animation projects, with emerging creators feeling empowered to tell culturally authentic stories.
Kugali Media has become an incubator of local talent, writers, animators, storytellers are now seeing global pipelines opening.
Analysts and fans alike see Iwájú as part of a broader Afrofuturist wave—pushing forward African-led narratives in film, animation, and comics.
The Voices, the Sounds, the Soul
The casting is pure Lagos magic:
Simisola Gbadamosi brings Tola to life with youthful empathy.
Siji Soetan embodies Kole’s grounded curiosity.
Veteran actors like Ireti Doyle and Femi Branch elevate the world with presence.
Ré Olunuga composed a soundtrack that blends cinematic orchestral swells with experimental beats, it’s Lagos, heard .
African Languages, Real Lagos Vibes
From the lingo to the energy of the visuals, Iwájú is unapologetically African. Dialogue features English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Yoruba.
There are no glossed-over accents or watered-down tones, just real speech, real culture.
Beyond TV: Expanding the Universe
Iwájú isn’t stopping at streaming. It’s also: Streaming on Disney+ globally.
Airing across Africa on DStv’s Disney Channel (Channel 303) with marathons timed for maximum viewership.
Accompanied by an official behind-the-scenes documentary, Iwájú: A Story from Africa.
Plus, bringing an interactive twist via the mobile game Iwájú: Rising Chef developed by Nigeria’s own Maliyo Games.
Why Iwájú Is a Cultural Reset
This isn’t just another Disney miniseries. It’s Lagos’s soul broadcast to the world. It proves that African stories can dominate global streaming, without compromise.
It inspires a generation of Nigerian creators to dare bigger, dream wider, and build worlds rooted in ours.
Lagos is the future. African stories are global. And Iwájú is only the beginning.