Boys on the Brink

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Can a generation of young Nigerians find their way in an environment plagued by uncertainty?

Boys on the Brink is a coming-of-age documentary that brings to light the struggles and quiet victories of the Nigerian Youth. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the film follows the personal journeys of six boys from different communities, each navigating the complex realities of growing up amidst a deteriorating support system and socio-economic challenges.

This project is driven by our keen interest to consciously declare a state of concern for an underrated crisis and further enable a long-term resolution for Nigerian stakeholders.

Bolanle Austen-Peters,
“This thought-provoking documentary explores the evolution of boys to men… A call to action. An incredible documentation.”
Award winning producer/director
Linus Idahosa,
“I am a practical example of what a documentary feature like this could do for an individual. It is a must-watch.”
Founder of Del-York Group
Lady Ibru,
“A good film that brings on screen the realities of life with our youths. Well done!”
Guardian Newspapers

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 Director’s Statement

“Boys on the Brink offers an evocative and intimate narrative – told by, and for these boys. This film is a timeless exploration of what it means to come of age in a Nigerian context where survival is more than economic—it is emotional, cultural, and existential. While the film is rooted in their personal journeys, it reflects a shared human story. In watching them, we see echoes of ourselves – our own questions, transitions and moments of becoming.”

– Peter Oke and Rume Onosode

Crew

Rume Onosode

Executive Producer

Peter Oke and Rume Onosode

Directors

Mike Okoro, Nneka Ajereh and Idhebor Kagho

Cinematographers

Siji Olunuga and Chukwuka Eluchie

Original Score

Mike Okoro and Peter Oke

Editor

Project Timeline

Aug 2020-Jun 2021
Finding the story

It started with one phone call during COVID-19

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Jun 2021
First Shoot, Ajegunle

Selecting six boys for the film was no simple task

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July 2022
Final Shoot, Epe

One year later after several challenges and rewards.

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Nov 2022
Official Premiere

Held at Alliance Française Lagos with over 100 esteemed guests

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Dec 2022-March 2023
Film Festivals & Screenings

Screened at Capri-Hollywood Italy & iREP Nigeria, The Taiwan Consulate & Lagos Biennial

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2023-Present
The Film’s Impact on The Boys

The film led to tangible opportunities and valuable partnerships

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Over two days, we dedicated time to mentoring the community’s young surfers. The Aella team led a presentation and open discussions on how to save more effectively within the Nigerian economy and leverage technology for financial growth. In addition, two officials facilitated an important conversation on athlete welfare and drug abuse, a rising problem among the youth on the island. These sessions were followed by lively debates among the surfers themselves, where they shared challenges and proposed solutions. The event was graciously covered by NTA and Arise TV, offering a rare and valuable platform for the youth, future stakeholders in the sport and in Nigeria, to come together, be heard, and feel seen.

This was a major milestone for us. With the support of our project and our sponsor, Aella Microfinance Bank, Abraham was able to leave Nigeria for the first time and compete internationally at the Africa Surf Tour in Liberia. It was a significant moment, not just for Abraham and his family, but for the Nigerian Surfing Federation as well. Despite the limited infrastructure and resources available to surfers in Tarkwa Bay, we were proud to help make a dream possible – to go beyond. But even after overcoming countless obstacles, it was clear there was still more to do. For Abraham to succeed and for the community to thrive, continued support would be essential.

We had spent the night at Tarkwa and made significant progress over two days but also lost a camera to the waves. It was a bittersweet moment losing footage and equipment, a gentle reminder of the risks we had signed up for. Meanwhile, things were shifting for the surfers too. Life on the island was growing tougher as the economy worsened, and the story we had initially set out to tell began to drift out of reach, pushed by forces beyond our control. We had to adapt and get more creative. Shooting this documentary started to feel like riding the unpredictable waves themselves. Letting go of control and trusting real life to lead the story became defining parts of the journey

Hauling heavy gear to the island, boldly engaging the community, and capturing raw, unscripted moments pushed our creativity to new limits. It was a crash course in balancing shooting on land and in the water. We started with the low-hanging fruit building rustic sets and conducting honest interviews amidst the waves. The real challenge came when we attempted to film surf scenes for the first time, a process that demanded repeated trial and error. By our second shoot, we had learned valuable lessons about shooting on an island and building stamina.

For Boys on the Brink, we had filmed Abraham, a skilled surfer from Tarkwa Bay – an island accessible only by boat – and learned more about a determined community of young local surfers. Surfing is rare in this part of the world—it’s costly, dependent on imported equipment, specialized training, and of course, the ocean itself. Despite the odds, these young surfers continue to chase waves with courage and heart. Having already built trust with the Tarkwa locals, telling this story felt like the next step but we had no idea it would become our most challenging and ambitious production yet with many twists and turns.

Joseph received his first proper prosthetic arm – custom-made to suit his body – through the support of the Ishk Tolaram Limb Centre. Lekan began training at a tailoring school, made possible by the Ishk Tolaram Foundation. Joseph was also awarded a secondary school scholarship from The Special Foundation. Kennedy used his donation to secure housing for his family and later launched a successful start-up: Wash With Kings, an online laundry service. Najeeb and Abraham both secured jobs in restaurants, while Ifeanyi is completing his apprenticeship with hopes of starting his own business. The journey continues…

Embracing the fact that we had created something special and impactful meant a great deal to us. We submitted the film to several film festivals and despite fierce competition, we were honoured to be officially selected for the Capri-Hollywood International Film Festival in Italy and the African Human Rights International Film Festival in 2023. We also had the privilege of screening the film to diverse audiences, including the Taiwan Consulate in Nigeria, Whitesands Boys’ School, Gaia Africa, and the Lagos Biennial in 2024. Discussions are currently underway to secure wider distribution for the film.

This was a significant milestone for us – the first time the public had a chance to see what we had been working on. After months of carefully finalising post-production, we hosted a private screening attended by filmmakers, business executives, creatives, friends, and family. One of the most powerful moments came at the end, when the audience met the boys featured in the film. We received praise for the project and generous donations from private benefactors in attendance to support the boys. The screening also sparked critical conversations about how to support and positively impact other young Nigerians.

Over the course of a year, we went on to film five other boys across Lagos Island, Orile, Tarkwa Bay, and Victoria Island. With a lean crew of just seven, we remained as resourceful as possible, minimizing costs while navigating the challenges of filming: managing community expectations, helping the boys feel at ease on camera, and ensuring our safety in volatile areas like Ajegunle and Orile. Throughout, we experimented creatively, committed to honest, emotional storytelling and raw, candid visuals. One year later, we wrapped production with Joseph in Epe Fishing Village.

We spent months exploring various communities in Lagos, speaking with boys of different ages and backgrounds. Alongside this, we held ongoing conversations with parents, guardians, and community leaders to foster genuine relationships and build trust. While some welcomed us with enthusiasm, others were hesitant and even skeptical about our intentions. It was a very careful and complex process. After extensive scouting and navigating critical logistics, we had our first shoot in Ajegunle with Kennedy.

The idea for this documentary was born during the bleak days of the COVID-19 lockdown, sparked by a single phone call that ignited an ambitious vision. After submitting several proposals and grant applications, with little financial support, we chose to move forward independently and on our own terms. Rume Onosode (The Earth Alternative) committed to producing her first film, with Peter Oke (Forcados Studios) joining as partner and director. This unpredictable but meaningful journey truly took shape once we stepped out and began speaking to different boys on the streets of Lagos.