Manny Ita –
Nollywood is undergoing a notable creative shift following confirmation from industry insiders that a major global streaming platform has approved a high-budget science fiction series set in a futuristic Lagos. The project, tentatively titled Eko Neon, represents a departure from the domestic dramas and comedies that have traditionally dominated the industry and signals a growing embrace of high-concept genre storytelling.
The series is described as a supernatural thriller that blends Yoruba cosmology with advanced cybernetic technology. Set in a reimagined Lagos in the year 2050, the production envisions a neon-lit cityscape in which the Third Mainland Bridge is transformed into a multi-level magnetic levitation transit hub, while the waterfront community of Makoko is portrayed as a network of advanced aquatic research facilities.
“We are tired of telling stories that only look at our past or our current struggles in a literal way,” a lead producer attached to the project said during an industry briefing in Lekki on Friday. “Nollywood is ready to claim its stake in Afro-Futurism. We are moving away from the ‘parlor’ sets and taking the audience into a world where African spirits and artificial intelligence coexist.”
The move toward genre-driven productions follows the commercial performance of recent indigenous epics such as Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre and the release of Nigeria’s first large-scale zombie thriller, Alive Till Dawn. Industry analysts say the trend reflects a deliberate strategy to compete more aggressively on the global stage by combining local narratives with modern visual effects and production techniques that appeal to international audiences.
According to sources familiar with the project, Eko Neon will make extensive use of virtual production technology, similar to systems employed in major international franchises, enabling filmmakers to create expansive futuristic environments within studio settings in Lagos. The technology is being backed by new investment from technology-focused venture capital firms that view the convergence of Nollywood and digital innovation as a growing commercial opportunity.
The production is also expected to generate significant employment within the local creative sector. Casting has begun for roles requiring both traditional performance skills and motion-capture experience, reflecting the project’s technical scope. “This isn’t just a movie; it’s an architectural reimagining of our identity,” a visual effects supervisor involved in the project’s pre-visualization process said. “We are creating a Lagos that is both unrecognizable and intimately familiar.”
As pre-production advances, reaction within the Lagos arts and film community suggests the project could influence the direction of Nigerian cinema in the coming years. By combining supernatural themes with science fiction, the creators of Eko Neon aim to demonstrate that African-led productions can deliver technologically ambitious narratives capable of standing alongside global blockbusters.
