Ajegunle & Other Places: Inside Iwájú’s Tech-Fueled Lagos Makeover

In Disney’s Iwájú, Lagos becomes a canvas for technological innovation, blending culture with cutting-edge advancements. The series takes viewers on a stunning journey through a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. Iwájú is a Yoruba phrase that means ‘the day ahead’ or the future.”

This animated series isn’t just rich in culture and story, it also showcases some incredible advancements that reimagine the bustling city of Lagos.

Here are some advancements in Lagos that stands out in the series;

Flying Vehicles and Hawkers:

This is one advancement we need in Lagos especially. Imagine being stuck in traffic and by the press of a button, you’re able to escape such reality. The flying vehicles are exciting to watch. But that’s not all – even hawkers get in on the action. In the futuristic Lagos of Iwájú, hovering street hawkers approach flying cars with steaming snacks, the city’s tricycles (kekes) evolved into tiny helicopters, and robots enthusiastically trimming the hedges of luxurious estates. On a trip in the family’s flying smart car, Tola notices a fleet of flying street hawker robots selling various delicacies. Each comes equipped with a video screen showing the seller’s face and robotic arms that manage the goods and transactions sitting atop the robot.

Even Ajegunle Gets a Glow Up:

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Ajegunle, a district often portrayed as a core rural area, now showcases a rejuvenated appearance in Iwájú. If you have ever seen Ajegunle, you can tell that this is not the Ajegunle we are familiar with. Although Iwájú did a good job representing Ajegunle, it still cannot be compared to the real-life experience. While the series doesn’t shy away from social issues, the advancements in infrastructure and technology hint at a brighter future even for the rural areas.  

Smart Bonnet:

All girlies would love this one! In episode 1, Tola uses the smart bonnet she slept in to pick her hairstyle for the day without having to lift a finger. Once Tola settles on her style, the device actively works on her look beneath the silk. It takes about two seconds and she’s ready for the day. This is just the advancement every lady would love to embrace.

Advanced buildings with high-technological equipments:

Although this is mainly represented on the island, the houses are both aesthetically and technologically pleasing. The doors are machine-controlled, and there are robots present. In Tola’s house, food is even served on flying trays. Additionally, there’s a really cool garden robot that Kola uses to trim the garden. Life is made a lot easier according to the series.

Smart Pet:

In Iwájú, Tola’s pet agama lizard Otin comes with a little extra. Scanning all environments for potential threats and facial recognition, and equipped with GPS, Tola’s lizard is a multipurpose reptile. As the series progresses, Otin becomes more self-aware, understanding its purpose and connection to Tola. Now take a second to imagine if every agama in Lagos has such abilities as Otin, wouldn’t it be so cool?

These are just a few glimpses into the technologically advanced Lagos envisioned in Iwájú. The series cleverly blends futuristic elements with the heart and soul of Lagos, creating a unique and captivating world. So, the next time you watch Iwájú, keep an eye out for the amazing tech features with the hope of its possibilities in real-life Lagos.

Viewers who missed the action on DStv and GOtv last week and want to relate to the possibilities of Lagos can catch the repeat broadcasts which run daily from Monday, April 29 to Saturday, May 4, at 4 pm with a marathon on Sunday, May 5, starting at 12:35 pm.