Christmas in Lagos

Fiyin has secretly loved her best friend, Elozonam, for years. Their deep bond is built on countless shared moments, and she believes their connection is special. But her world is turned upside down when Elozonam announces his engagement to Yagazie, his girlfriend of just eight months. As Christmas approaches, Fiyin wrestles with unspoken feelings, torn between fighting for Elozonam or moving forward. Her emotional turmoil affects her relationships, casting a shadow over what should be a joyful season of celebration.

Meanwhile, Fiyin’s cousin, Ivie, returns to Lagos from London, determined to spend the holiday embracing the city’s vibrant energy. After a failed romance, she has no interest in love, opting for carefree nights and fleeting connections. That changes when she meets Ajani, a charismatic guitarist chasing his dreams while working a delivery job. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Ivie struggles with the barriers of background and social status. Ajani’s authenticity forces Ivie to confront her fear of vulnerability, making her reconsider her views on love.

At the same time, Fiyin’s mother, Gbemi, faces her own romantic dilemma. After years of widowhood, she finds herself at a crossroads between two men. Zachariah Dozie, her wealthy and charming former lover, and Toye, the steadfast and dependable man who has always been there for her. As the festive season unfolds, Gbemi decide whether to rekindle an old flame, embrace the familiar, or take a leap into the unknown.

• Teniola Aladese as Fiyin, the heartbroken romantic and central protagonist, a young woman grappling with the pain of unrequited love.
• Rayxia Ojo as Ivie, Fiyin's adventurous cousin and a classic IJGB (“I Just Got Back”), who recently returned from London.
• Shaffy Bello as Gbemi, Fiyin’s mother, a widowed woman caught in a love triangle of her own.
• Shalom C. Obiago as Elozonam, or Elo, Fiyin's childhood best friend and crush
• Wale Ojo as Toye Prince
• Richard Mofe-Damijo as Chief Dozie
• Ladipoe as Ajani
• Ejike Asiegbu as Nonso
• Waje Iruobe as Caroline
• Angelo Anosike as Yagazie
• Ebele Okaro-Onyiuke as Agatha
• Tris Udeh as Ladi
• Obinna Okenwa as Chisom
• Ayra Starr as Herself
• Adekunle Gold as Himself
• WurlD as Himself
• Liya as Herself

Principal photography for Christmas in Lagos began in late January 2024 and concluded in March 2024. The filming schedule was coordinated to coincide with Lagos's "Detty December" period in order to reflect the city's holiday activities. Production took place entirely on location in Lagos, using a variety of recognizable landmarks and culturally relevant sites, including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Breeze Beach Club, The Civic Towers, and a historic church. These locations were chosen to depict both the contemporary and traditional aspects of the city during the Christmas season.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=Christmas in Lagos Filming Locations (2024) - 4 Filming |url=https://4filming.com/christmas-in-lagos-filming-locations-2024/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en-US}}

Director Jade Osiberu highlighted the effort to maintain authenticity by incorporating real-life events such as concerts and weddings into the production, aiming to represent Lagos’s festive environment with accuracy. The lighting, was led by Matthew Yusuf and One House Lighting Crew, which was highlighted as a standout element, contributing to the film's aesthetic.{{Cite web |last=Emelike |first=Obinna |date=2025-01-17 |title=Matthew Yusuf, One House Lighting Crew's unmatched brilliance in "Christmas in Lagos" |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/matthew-yusuf-one-house-lighting-crews-unmatched-brilliance-in-christmas-in-lagos/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}

The soundtrack for Christmas in Lagos was composed and produced by Nigerian music producer Cobhams Asuquo and released digitally by Lakeshore Records on December 20, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Film Music Site - Christmas In Lagos Soundtrack |url=https://www.filmmusicsite.com/en/soundtracks.cgi?id=116372&view= |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.filmmusicsite.com |language=en}} The music combines elements of Afrobeat, soul, and traditional Christmas melodies to reflect the festive and cultural setting of Lagos during the holiday season.{{Cite web |last=Josh |first=el |date=2024-12-29 |title=A Review of Jade Osiberu's 'Christmas in Lagos.' |url=https://medium.com/@olajoshua10/a-review-of-jade-osiberus-christmas-in-lagos-5816cba87860 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Medium |language=en}} The album features eight tracks, with contributions from Nigerian artists including Adekunle Gold, Waje, WurlD, Liya, ESUA, and Byno.{{Cite web |title=Christmas in Lagos Soundtrack (2024) |url=https://www.soundtrack.net/album/christmas-in-lagos/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.soundtrack.net}} Waje’s version of “Holy Night,” performed with gospel group 121SELAH, was noted for its reinterpretation of the Christmas classic.{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE! Listen to 'Holy Night' By Waje & 121Selah From 'Christmas In Lagos'! – Soundtracks, Scores and More! |url=https://soundtracksscoresandmore.com/2024/12/19/exclusive-listen-to-holy-night-by-waje-121selah-from-christmas-in-lagos/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=soundtracksscoresandmore.com}} The track “Fall In Love” by ESUA, which incorporates traditional Nigerian sounds with modern pop, was released as the album’s lead single.{{Cite web |title=Christmas In Lagos: Listen To The Debut Track, "Fall In Love" By ESUA, Film Premieres December 20 on Prime Video Nigeria – Soundtracks, Scores and More! |url=https://soundtracksscoresandmore.com/2024/12/13/christmas-in-lagos-listen-to-the-debut-track-fall-in-love-by-esua-film-premieres-december-20-on-prime-video-nigeria/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=soundtracksscoresandmore.com}}

Musical numbers{{div col}}

• "Me Le Se" – Adekunle Gold
• "Fall In Love" – ESUA
• "In the Plane" – Cobhams Asuquo
• "Nwa Baby" – Byno
• "Can I Be Your Guy?" – Cobhams Asuquo
• "Only in Lagos" – WurlD & Liya
• "Holy Night" – Waje & 121SELAH
• "A Better Help" – Cobhams Asuquo

{{div col end}}

The movie was released in Nigerian cinemas on December 20, 2024 and later made available on streaming platforms like Prime Video.{{Cite web |last=Vourlias |first=Christopher |date=2024-08-28 |title=Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for Jade Osiberu's 'Christmas in Lagos' With Ayra Starr Before Pausing Original Productions in Africa (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/prime-video-christmas-in-lagos-ayra-starr-jade-osiberu-1236119304/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} It received widespread acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Lagos and its festive atmosphere.

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• {{IMDb title|tt34714098|Christmas in Lagos}}{{Portal bar|Film|Nigeria}}

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Category:2024 drama films

Category:2024 films

Category:English-language Nigerian films

Category:2020s English-language films