Elvis Oke
Elvis is the protagonist. He's an ambitious kid who longs to leave Lagos behind. After his mother's death, he has to move in with his father and step-mother who treat him miserably. Determined to earn a way out of Lagos, Elvis conspires with Redemption, his best friend, to make money in various creative and often illegal ways, including working as an Elvis impersonator. Conflicted by his desire to leave and his conscience, Elvis grows increasingly unhappy with his work beside Redemption. When his father dies in protest of the housing redevelopment, he removes some of Elvis' impetus for leaving. Nevertheless, he continues to pursue a way out of the city, with Redemption's help.
Beatrice
Beatrice was Elvis' mother. She was kind and capable, but her illness prevented her from earning money to provide for the family. Her death marks the beginning of a dark season for Elvis because he grieves the loss of her love.
Sunday Oke
Sunday is Elvis' dad who lives in Lagos. He's not a very understanding or kind person. Convinced that his son will be a fool, he only criticizes. When he learns about the housing redevelopment, he loses his cool. Everything Sunday has worked for is represented by that house, so he protests, eventually losing his life in the struggle.
Redemption
Redemption is Oke's best friend. With connection to the underworld of crime, he helps Elvis stay on his feet through the various changes of his young life. He's a man of few scruples, so his influence is dual in Elvis' life. He both helps and hurts. In the end, he obtains a passport for himself which he gives to Elvis to help him leave Lagos.
Oke's Stepmother
She resents Elvis and makes his life miserable in Lagos. She has no maternal instinct and offers no support.
The King of Beggars
This guy is an ancient old man with one eye. He meets Elvis during one of their jobs one day and confronts Elvis with the immorality of his career. Although he has no real authority over Elvis, the King of the Beggars starts a series of questions in the boy's mind about the desirability of his current occupation.
