It stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike, Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Chukwuka, Zlatan, Bimbo Ademoye, Yvonne Jegede, Yinka Quadri, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, and Yhemolee.

The film portrays the story of three friends Obalola, Ify, and Gift, who grew up in Isale Eko, a neighborhood controlled by politically connected gangs.

Creative director and writer Jadesola Osiberu developed the idea during the production of her earlier project, Gidi Up, inspired by observing residents' daily lives through the windows of neighboring buildings.

[3] The Oba of Lagos and the Kosoko family condemned the film for its depiction of Eyo masquerades as violent criminal gangs responsible for gruesome murders and the terrorization of innocent citizens.

[5] Obalola, Gift, and Ify are three friends born and raised in Isale Eko, a community dominated by political, criminal, and gang violence, theft, and struggle of power.

With Nino gone, Obalola and his friends are drawn into working for Kazeem, a greedy and ruthless gang leader deeply entrenched in Lagos politics.

Gift fully embraces gang life, finding power and identity in the chaos, while Ify clings to dreams of becoming a musician, though his loyalty to his friends keeps pulling him back into the underworld.

This act of revenge brings Obalola’s journey full circle, as he confronts the cycle of violence that has defined his life and seeks a way to break free from it.

[21] Osiberu sought to move beyond the violence typically associated with gang culture, focusing on the emotional and societal dimensions of growing up in a challenging environment.

[20] In an interview with Al Jazeera, Osiberu cited influences such as Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee, whose gangster classics shaped her storytelling.

[27][28][29] Osiberu collaborated with Kemi Lala Akindoju and K. I. Jegede to develop a screenplay that authentically represents Lagos' urban culture.

[32] The filmmakers aimed to capture the unique energy of Isale Eko, using real locations to ground the story in the daily realities of Lagos life.

Cast members, including Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Chike, brought their performances to life, supported by a production team capturing the city's essence.

The team paid close attention to details like the color palette, architecture, and street scenes to create a realistic portrayal of Lagos's urban life.

[40] The cinematography, led by Olumuyiwa Oyedele,[41] emphasized dynamic camera movements to capture the energy and chaos of Lagos's streets.

[25][52] The film's release marked a significant step in the collaboration between Nigerian filmmakers and global streaming services, expanding the reach of Nollywood to international audiences.

[54] Shola-Adido Oladotun from Premium Times praised Gangs of Lagos, noting that "the Cinematography is top-tier, with various elements making each scene visually appealing and fitting for its genre."

[55] Emma Vine of Ready Steady Cut described the film as a "gritty, compelling crime drama that will have you instantly invested in the story and its characters."

Vine highlighted that one of the film's most "amazing" assets was the striking resemblance between the adult actors and their younger counterparts—an often-overlooked yet essential element of filmmaking that greatly enhances believability.

[56] Johnny Loftus of Decider praised the performances of the Gangs of Lagos cast, particularly highlighting Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Chike Ezekpeazu-Osebuka.

He singled out Chike's portrayal of Ify, a character born into gang life despite his evident desire to pursue a different path, such as performing on stage as his alter ego, Panama.

[57] Liam Lacey of Original-Cin awarded the film a grade of B, noting that it is "at its most rewarding when it breaks away from the Scorsese-Coppola tradition to deliver sharp critiques of the Nigerian criminal-political complex.

"[58] Gangs of Lagos garnered multiple nominations and accolades, including recognition as Best Nigerian Film and Best Visual Effects at the 2023 African Movie Academy Awards.

[67][68] Reno Omokri criticized the film as "defamatory," in a post on Twitter tweeting that its portrayal undermines Nigeria's image, stating, "De-marketing your country through movies is like punching holes in a ship on which you are a passenger.

[77] Similarly, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, labeled the film defamatory and sacrilegious, criticizing its depiction of the Eyo as violent gangs involved in murders and terrorizing citizens.