By Efe Onodjae

The highly anticipated film Tokunbo, directed by Ramsey Nouah and produced by Chris Odeh, had its grand premiere in Lagos, marking a significant milestone ahead of its Netflix debut on August 23.

The event, held in the Lekki area of Lagos , saw a gathering of notable actors and industry figures, celebrating a film that promises to offer a unique perspective on societal issues through its compelling narrative.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, director of the movie, Ramsey Nouah stated, “There’s a bit of a political undertone here and there. We’re discussing some of the issues faced by middlemen in Nigeria and the broader populace. It’s not about deep politics; rather, it’s about reflecting societal issues. We’re highlighting situations in the country without aiming for any specific political outcome. We just wanted to reflect what’s happening in society in Tokunbo.”

Producer Chris Odeh explained that the movie’s title, Tokunbo, was inspired by the smuggling of used cars into Nigeria and the director’s name, Ramsey Tokumbo-Nouah, serving as a symbolic element. He said, “The film portrays the resilient spirit of the African man—how we rise above challenges to survive. The title is symbolic, reflecting both the smuggling of Tokunbo cars and the movie’s aim to impact locally while also reaching abroad. We wanted to reverse the Tokunbo story.”

Chris also noted, “We spent over $200,000 on this film, despite the challenges we faced.”

Chidi Mokeme, who played Gaza in the movie, praised the project, stating, “I commend Chris Odeh and director Ramsey Nouah for their ambitious project. It’s a remarkable film, and I’m sure audiences will be thrilled. You’ll see things you’ve never seen before in movies from this part of the world.”

Also speaking, key lead actor Gideon Okeke, who played Tokunbo, said, “The character Tokunbo is an average guy, reflecting a day in the life scenario. The story is a ‘what would you do?’ situation—put yourself in his shoes. We’re telling the story in our style.”

On the challenges faced, Okeke added, “Honestly, this was a very tedious film to make for all of us. Even the writer didn’t just write and leave; she was always present, working with the continuity person and the director. Every day was a challenge, but we all persevered.”