Follow Us on Google
By Damiete Braide
For young surfers on Takwa Bay, a remote island off Lagos, surfing is more than a sport; it is an escape from hardship and a pathway to opportunities beyond their shores.
Through Beyond Takwa Bay, producer and assistant director, Rume Onosode and her team document the resilience of young Nigerians pursuing their dreams despite limited resources, inadequate infrastructure and displacement.
Their independent documentary, developed over three years, has earned them joint recognition at the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
In this interview, Onosode discusses the film’s origins, production challenges, impact and plans to support the island’s surfing community.
What inspired you to make Beyond Takwa Bay?
The idea began around 2022 or 2023, after my colleague, Peter, and I completed our first film together. One of the boys featured in that production was from Takwa Bay, and he was a surfer. After discussing his background and interest in the sport, we began asking ourselves why we should not make a film spotlighting the surfing community on the island.
That conversation led to further discussions and eventually took us back to Takwa Bay towards the end of 2023. We had filmed there before, but this time, we wanted to tell a broader story about the island, including some of its history and the existence of a surfing community that is rarely highlighted in Nigeria.
We wanted to show that these young people are champions despite the challenges of their environment. We also wanted to introduce international audiences to what Nigeria has to offer beyond its shores.
The film emerged from our desire to tell the stories of young Nigerians who are talented and determined but often lack the support, resources and infrastructure needed to fulfil their potential.
We made the project independently with a small crew. Beyond documenting surfing, we wanted to challenge the stereotypes surrounding Nigerian youths and demonstrate their creativity, resilience and ambition. Nigeria has Africa’s largest youth population, and many of these young people need opportunities to develop their abilities.
For us, the film is also a call to action for present and future generations of stakeholders to invest in infrastructure and create conditions that enable young Nigerians to thrive.
What challenges did you encounter during production?
Takwa Bay is a remote island accessible by boat, so transporting our equipment was a major challenge. We had to move cameras, drones and other production materials across the water each time we travelled to and from the island.
We also had to understand and navigate the community’s social dynamics. The island has its own leaders, chiefs and local structures, and some residents have lived there all their lives without ever leaving. Building relationships and gaining their trust required patience and consistency. It was not something that happened overnight.
The production took about three years because we were documenting real people whose lives and circumstances continued to change throughout the process.
One significant development was the arrival of the Nigerian Navy on the island and the establishment of a camp. This affected the lives of many residents, some of whom had to leave their homes or were displaced. We also explored these changes in the documentary.
Despite the difficulties, the young surfers continued pursuing their passion. Their determination to keep surfing, regardless of their circumstances, became one of the most compelling aspects of the story.
The experience was difficult but rewarding. One achievement we are particularly proud of is what happened to Abraham, the film’s main subject. Through the project and the people involved, we were able to sponsor him to travel to Liberia to represent Nigeria at an African surfing competition.
It was his first time leaving Nigeria, making the opportunity a significant milestone for him and the community. It also demonstrated the potential of filmmaking to do more than tell stories.
Film is a medium through which we express ideas and bring important issues to public attention, but our ultimate goal was to make a tangible difference in someone’s life. Supporting Abraham to represent Nigeria showed us that the project could achieve that objective.
What does winning the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts mean to you and your team?
Being a joint winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is very significant. I see it as a stepping stone and a launching pad for what lies ahead.
As the producer, having been involved from the beginning, the recognition means a great deal to me and the entire team. When we started the project, we were not thinking about awards. We believed it was an important story that needed to be told, and we felt that if we did not tell it, nobody else might.
The production was challenging and expensive. We filmed around water, worked in difficult conditions and needed equipment that required considerable financial investment. To have our work recognised in this way is a form of validation.
What makes the award particularly special is that it is a Nigerian prize. It shows that the country is recognising our work and, by extension, the potential of its young people, who remain one of its most valuable resources.
The recognition also means a lot to the Takwa Bay community, whose experiences and aspirations are at the heart of the film.
Earlier, we had the opportunity to screen the documentary in Los Angeles. Being able to present the project to an international audience and subsequently receive recognition at home is significant.
Sometimes, international recognition helps draw attention to the value of work produced locally. For us, this award affirms the importance of telling Nigerian stories and ensuring that the communities behind them are not overlooked.
What are the major challenges facing the Nigerian creative industry, and how can more projects like this be encouraged?
I believe it begins with Nigerians valuing Nigerians. That mindset must become intentional rather than something we merely talk about and forget. We need to care about who we are, what we create and the value we can contribute to the world.
As creators, we must recognise the worth of our stories before expecting others to do the same.
The Nigerian creative industry has evolved considerably, particularly through Nollywood, music, fashion and the arts. Our cultural assets are attracting global attention, and the market has expanded in recent years.
However, I believe there is still room for stories grounded in the everyday realities of Nigerians. We are often drawn to entertainment and escapism, but that does not mean audiences cannot appreciate authentic stories about people’s lives and struggles.
What makes Beyond Takwa Bay special is that we have taken a reality many Nigerians might overlook and presented it through a compelling visual experience. The film reveals young people who are talented and skilled but need opportunities and support to succeed.
It also challenges stereotypes about Black people and swimming. These young Nigerians are not merely swimming; they are surfing, developing their abilities and seeking opportunities to compete. Surfing is a significant international sporting activity, yet the potential of this community remains largely untapped.
The film asks our leaders, policymakers, industry colleagues and other stakeholders to recognise what these young people can achieve when given the right support.
I believe stories like this can restore hope and encourage people to work together to build a better future. We need to move beyond celebrating talent in principle and begin creating the infrastructure, opportunities and support systems that allow it to flourish.
What do you intend to do with the prize money?
We intend to give back to the Takwa Bay community. One of our priorities is to invest in more surfboards for the young surfers.
The boards are essential if the community is to sustain its surfing culture and develop the sport further. Unfortunately, they are expensive because they are imported rather than locally manufactured.
We also want to improve the surfers’ welfare. These are young people who have to meet their daily needs while pursuing their passion, often without adequate resources.
For us, the award should go beyond personal recognition. We want to use the opportunity to support the people whose lives and determination inspired the film. Providing equipment and improving their welfare would help them continue surfing and pursue opportunities to represent Nigeria.
What would you like to say to NLNG, the organisers of the prize?
On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) for this opportunity and for recognising our work. We are grateful that the organisation has drawn attention to this story and the cause it represents. Being named a joint winner in this category is an honour, and we deeply appreciate the recognition.
We hope the award will help bring greater attention to the young surfers of Takwa Bay and encourage more people to invest in their potential. Their story demonstrates what Nigerian youths can achieve when they are determined to pursue their dreams, even in difficult circumstances.
Ultimately, we hope Beyond Takwa Bay will inspire conversations and actions that create more opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive.
