'Iwaju': Why You Should Be Excited About Disney's Upcoming Nigerian Series

Animation enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in Iwaju, a forthcoming series from Disney set in the futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria. Scheduled to be released in 2023, it is a joint venture between the Mouse House and Nigerian comic giant Kugali Media.

For the uninitiated, Kugali Media is a comic publishing company that uses visual storytelling and animation to create engaging content for readers and viewers.

Recognizing the talents behind the comic brand and enthralled by their unique characters, Disney came calling and a joint decision was made to adapt some of their stories to television. The project called Iwaju was born and at the 2021 Annecy Festival, more details were revealed.

Thanks to a report from Sodasandpopcorns, we now know that on day three of the event, there was a panel discussion on Iwaju and it featured the brains behind the series; Ziki Nelson, Tolu Olowofoyeku, and Hamid Ibrahim, as well as Disney's Jennifer Lee.

Speaking on the project, Lee said that Disney was amazed by the boldness the Kugali team displayed when they stated that they (Kugali) would give the Mouse House a run for their money. Disney subsequently set up a meeting and the collaboration was made.

A futuristic illustration of Lagos Mainland | Image Source: Annecy Festival

Below are the major things to note about the upcoming project:

- Iwaju marks the first time Disney has ever collaborated with another company after their 100-year stint of operation based on buying and commissioning.

Concept Art for IWAJU | Image Source: Annecy Festival

- Visual artists from different parts of the world have been working on the Iwaju, including several Nigerian talents like Segun Samson, Adebimpe Adebambo, Edwin Rwothomio, Godwin Akpan, Victor Oghifo, and John Zino. Other African creatives on the project are Joy Alunga from Kenya, Jason Lamy, and Bill Masuku (both from Zimbabwe).

- Disney and Kugali have been engaged in discussions on Iwaju for the better part of two years.

Concept Art for some of the automobiles in IWAJU | Image Source: Annecy Festival

- Iwaju is set in a futuristic version of Lagos and there will be flying cars, visual-aid phones, and hawkers with exoskeleton suits, among other things.

From the above, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say that Iwaju will change the narrative for Nigerian animation when it arrives in 2023.