Behind the Scenes: How ‘Shanty Town’ Was Filmed
In a time when Nollywood is rapidly evolving, ‘Shanty Town’ arrived like a thunderclap—loud, stylish, unapologetically gritty, and unlike anything we’d seen from Nigerian cinema before. Premiering on Netflix in early 2023, the limited series captivated audiences with its high-octane blend of crime drama, political corruption, female empowerment, and raw street realism.
But while the show itself turned heads, what many don’t realize is just how ambitious, daring, and complex the process of creating Shanty Town truly was.
In this deep dive, we go behind the scenes to uncover how Shanty Town was filmed—from set design and casting to the cinematography, stunts, and secrets that brought the gritty underworld of Lagos to life.
The Vision: A Gritty Noir With Nigerian Roots
At the core of Shanty Town is a bold vision: to tell a dark, unapologetic story about human trafficking, systemic corruption, and survival in the underbelly of Lagos. But not in the traditional Nollywood style.
The creators, Chichi Nworah (executive producer) and Dimeji Ajibola (director), envisioned a series that would match the aesthetic of global crime thrillers like Peaky Blinders or Narcos, but rooted in local culture, pidgin slang, and real Nigerian struggles.
The goal? A show that looked international but felt African.
Location, Location, Location: Rebuilding Lagos’ Underworld
One of the biggest challenges was location design. Instead of relying on green screens or simple studio setups, the Shanty Town team built an entire set that resembled the slums and hidden corners of Lagos.
A sprawling custom-built shanty town—complete with smoky alleys, tin-roof brothels, bustling markets, and makeshift bars—was erected in an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Lagos.
The production design team, led by Temitope Duker, spent weeks scouting and building, ensuring every detail—from graffiti to market stalls—looked authentic. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about capturing the spirit of survival in communities the elite prefer to ignore.
Lighting was also key. Many scenes were shot in low light or at night, using naturalistic shadows and colored gels to create a noir-inspired palette. The cinematography leaned heavily into contrast, showing the glitz of political offices and the grime of the ghetto in stark opposition.
Casting Powerhouses: A Star-Studded Ensemble
It’s rare for a Nollywood project to feature such a star-packed cast with each actor pushing themselves to new limits:
- Chidi Mokeme made an explosive comeback as Scar, the menacing gang leader. His role involved not just acting but a full physical transformation and psychological deep-dive into the mind of a psychotic kingpin.
- Ini Edo, who also co-produced the show, played Inem, a woman caught between vengeance and survival. She trained with stunt coordinators to prepare for her action scenes and studied trauma psychology to bring nuance to her performance.
- Nse Ikpe-Etim, Shaffy Bello, Nancy Isime, and Zubby Michael all brought layered performances that blurred the lines between hero and villain, victim and fighter.
Each cast member was deeply involved in character-building. According to interviews, actors were encouraged to develop backstories, rehearse in costume, and spend time on set before shooting even began to absorb the mood.
Costumes, Tattoos, and Body Language: Building Character Through Detail
The wardrobe in Shanty Town tells its own story. Each outfit, tattoo, and accessory was chosen to communicate power dynamics and personal histories.
- Scar’s rings and chains symbolize both control and chaos.
- The prostitutes’ outfits were designed to be provocative yet layered with meaning—offering glimpses into their stolen innocence and resilience.
- Inem’s transition from victim to warrior was reflected in her changing outfits—shifting from distressed fabrics to fitted combat gear.
Makeup and prosthetics were used for scars, burns, and bruises, adding a layer of realism that made the violence in the story more impactful. Nancy Isime, for instance, went viral after revealing her full-frontal nude scene was created with a prosthetic body double—showing just how far the production was willing to go for authenticity without compromising actor boundaries.
Stunt Work & Choreography: Nollywood Levels Up
One of the standout features of Shanty Town was its action scenes—chases, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat that rivalled international thrillers.
To make this possible, the production hired professional stunt coordinators and fight choreographers, many of whom had worked on international sets or had martial arts backgrounds.
Actors underwent intensive training to ensure realism. Scenes were rehearsed repeatedly with stunt doubles to avoid injury while maintaining visual impact. The bar fight sequences, for instance, were filmed over three days using multiple camera angles, fake blood rigs, and breakaway props.
Director Dimeji Ajibola, known for his action style, wanted each scene to feel raw but stylized—an aesthetic referred to on set as “Afro-noir action.”
Sound Design & Score: The Music of Tension
While visuals get a lot of the credit, Shanty Town‘s sound design played a huge role in its storytelling. The streets buzzed with layered ambient noise—motorcycles, pidgin banter, distant sirens—while emotional moments were underscored by moody Afrobeat instrumentals and haunting choral chants.
The original score, composed by a team of local producers, blended hip-hop, juju, highlife, and cinematic strings to reflect the hybrid identity of the show. Even silence was used strategically—amplifying moments of dread, suspense, or emotional climax.
Censorship, Risks & Controversy: Pushing the Envelope
Shanty Town wasn’t just bold in content—it was risky. From scenes showing police corruption, to nudity, drug use, and explicit violence, the series pushed the boundaries of what Nigerian audiences are used to.
The creators walked a tightrope: tell the truth without becoming sensational. Netflix’s global platform gave them more freedom, but the team still faced pressure from local censors and critics.
The show also sparked important conversations about:
- Sex trafficking in Nigeria
- The role of women in organized crime
- The silent suffering of inner-city communities
In that sense, Shanty Town was more than entertainment—it was a mirror.
Reception and Impact: A Nollywood Game-Changer
Upon release, Shanty Town trended on Netflix across Africa and even cracked into global viewership charts. Fans praised its bold direction, raw acting, and high production quality. Critics noted its flaws—some felt the plot could be tighter—but most agreed it raised the bar for what Nollywood could achieve.
It earned multiple nominations at the AMVCAs and redefined how the world sees Nigerian TV dramas.
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Nollywood Storytelling
Shanty Town is a landmark project not just for what it is, but for what it represents. It signals a shift in Nollywood toward bigger budgets, daring narratives, and global quality. The behind-the-scenes effort—from set building to character development, to fight choreography—shows that Nigerian filmmakers are no longer playing it safe.
They’re telling real stories, the hard ones, and doing it with style, vision, and excellence.
As we celebrate this masterpiece, we also look forward to what comes next—because if Shanty Town proved anything, it’s that Nollywood has arrived.
