There are certain Nigerian TV shows that are sure to put smiles on the face of people in any room you mention them in. At their funniest, they had us in stitches, toes curling from belly-deep laughter. And at their most chaotic, they showed us the most unhinged Nigerian family dynamics and served insane moral lessons. Here’s a list of those Nigerian TV shows.
1. Family Circle ( Late 1990s – Early 2000s )
It was a drama that followed the lives of a family headed by a couple played by Norbet Young and Ronnie Dikko. It showed them in different, and occasionally stressful scenarios, and focused on how they would work through these issues as a unit, usually with a moral lesson at the end meant for the viewers.
2. Super Story (2001 – Present)
An anthology series by Wale Adenuga that explores the dramatic lives of Nigerians. The first and most popular season is titled “Oh Father, Oh Daughter” and tells the story of a man named Suara who begs his wife, Abike, to sleep with a wealthy businessman so he can get a job. When she reluctantly does, and Suara gets the job, he starts cheating on her with a woman named Toyin Tomato, a woman who proceeds to show Suara the pepper he deserves.
3. Papa Ajasco (1996 – 2024)
Another Wale Adenuga production, Papa Ajasco was a pure slapstick comedy that followed the wacky adventures of its titular character, Papa Ajasco, along with his wife and son (Mama Ajasco and Boy Ajasco) and a flurry of comically colourful side characters such as Boy Alinco, Pa James, and Miss Pepeye.
4. Fuji House of Commotion (1996 – 2010)
Created by the late Amake Igwe, Fuji House of Commotion was a sitcom that showed the hijinks that took place in the polygamous household of Chief Fuji T.A Adebayo. With his four wives (Peace, Ireti, Mama Moji, and Caro) and dozens of children, there was more than enough chaos to fill multiple seasons worth of episodes.
5. Dear Mother (Early 2000s)
The series follows Teju Philips, a resilient widowed mother of three who must balance her career with the heavy socio-economic challenges of raising kids in modern-day Nigeria. It is centred on their family, how they solve their problems and deal with chaotic situations.
6. I Need To Know (1997-2002 )
The show was originally conceived as part of the Composite Adolescent Reproductive Health in Nigeria (CAHRIN) project as an educational sitcom to encourage open dialogue between parents and children about adolescent sexual health and issues. It followed a group of seven secondary school students as they navigated the typical issues teenagers faced along with the negative effects of interrupted sexual health education.
7. Face 2 Face (2000 – 2005 )
Set in a typical Nigerian “face-me-I-face-you” shared compound, the show perfectly captured the chaos of communal living. The show revolved around neighbours whose constant fights, misunderstandings, gossip, and hilarious alliances created a truly hilarious show.
8. Paradise Park (2000s)
Paradise Park was another viewers’ delight. It was set in a typical motor park and showcased the usual drama between the drivers, conductors and passengers.
9. This Life (2000 – 2015)
This Life was another hit from Wale Adenuga Productions. Like Super Story, it was also an anthology series. Unlike Super Story that had some fun seasons, every season of This Life served as a cautionary tale. The scene of a child on a roof who jumps because he thinks his father is going to catch him but the father intentionally doesn’t so he ends up crippled and learns the lesson of never trusting anyone, even family is burned in the brains of millennials everywhere.
10. Everyday People (2000-2005 )
This family series could make you laugh and cry at the same time. It chronicled the daily lives of a family, their neighbours, and others. Once again, the audience really loved it because it literally mirrored the lives of everyday people, staying true to its title.
