After his breakout as the writer of ‘Tokunbo’, which landed an AMVCA Best Actor nomination and topped Netflix charts, screenwriter Todimu Adegoke has landed his next major project: ‘Exhale’, a cross-continental feature film backed by Nigeria’s Sozo Films and Netherlands-based Gomes Multimedia.
Set to begin production in early 2026, ‘Exhale’ will be shot in Nigeria, the Netherlands, and other locations across Africa and Europe. The film follows a young Nigerian man who migrates to Europe in search of a better life but finds himself caught in a web of survival, identity, and love. It’s a story that Todimu says struck a personal chord.
“I’m a product of immigration myself,” Adegoke says. “I’ve seen so many different sides to it—the good, the bad, the ugly. I’ve heard stories that are heartbreaking. So when I saw the direction ‘Exhale’ was taking, I knew it was a story that needed to be told.”
The project came to Adegoke just a few months after Tokunbo’s release. He was approached by producer Chris Odeh, who shared the concept and asked him to come on board. Adegoke didn’t hesitate. “For me, there’s always a question of impact. Does it align with the kind of stories I want to tell? This one did.”
Odeh, who also produced Adegoke’s breakout project ‘Tokunbo’, has recently doubled down on large-scale, culturally resonant stories. Just weeks ago, he unveiled BRS Studios’ 2025 slate—including Stitches, Iwa Akwa, and Dambe—designed to signal, in his words, that “African cinema is limitless in scale, impact, and influence.” For Adegoke, that vision creates room to tell personal stories like ‘Exhale’ with global ambition.
Though the film’s plot is still under wraps, ‘Exhale’ is described as a deeply emotional drama anchored in the realities of migration—an experience many Africans can relate to and one that global audiences are increasingly eager to understand through African perspectives.
Looking back, Adegoke says his journey has always leaned toward stories of depth and scale. “Working with people like Chris Odeh—who believes in telling stories at scale—has shaped the kind of writer I’ve become. I’ve never been interested in just making films for the sake of it. I’d rather do fewer films that mean something.”
It’s that shared value system that’s kept Adegoke and Odeh aligned. “Chris is one of the best producers in the country. He understands the balance between filmmaking and life. He doesn’t just chase big stories—he chases stories that resonate. That’s why it’s usually a yes from me when he calls.”
What excites Adegoke most about ‘Exhale’ isn’t just the subject matter—it’s the ambition. “The scale they’re aiming for is huge,” he says. “It’s being shot in Nigeria and parts of Europe—including the Netherlands—with additional African locations still being finalised. I’ve been involved in a lot of those early discussions, and the scope of it all is inspiring.”
As international partnerships continue to redefine the boundaries of African storytelling, ‘Exhale’ is shaping up to be a globally resonant entry. and marks not just another credit for Todimu Adegoke, but a personal reckoning with the complexities of identity, belonging, and survival.