Nollywood has a history of spell binding television. From Checkmate to Fuji House Of Commotion, we have documented our peculiar cultural experiences in both dramatic and humorous contexts. Since streaming came to the scene, we’ve enjoyed a wide range of genres with our acting stars getting to explore different stories and spark conversations we all participate in on the internet.
In this list, we will be sharing some TV shows that we know will keep you up till 3 AM. It’s a mix of genres but they all promise to keep you glued to your TV following characters who will have you laughing, crying and yelling in frustration.
Beyond The Veil
Season: 2
Episodes: 12
Director: Nadine Ibrahim
Genre: Drama
Streamer: Prime Video
Directed solely by Nadine Ibrahim, the series follows a group of northern women (Na’ima, Badriya aka Baddie, Zainab aka Zizi, Hanifa and Surrayah) who are navigating their friendships, careers and romantic interests. It follows these muslim women in the modern world, pulling you into their riveting and relatable worlds as one episode flows into the next.
Watch Beyond The Veil on Prime Video.
Shanty Town
Season: 1
Episodes: 6
Director: Dimeji Ajibola
Genre: Crime Thriller
Streamer: Netflix
The underbelly of Lagos always makes for captivating drama and Shanty Town is proof of that. It follows a group of sex workers who are trying to free themselves from the servitude of kingpin, Scar (Chidi Mokeme). It documents the cycle of violence and abuse that the slum life brings and these Nollywood characters will stay with you till late in the night.
Watch Shanty Town on Netflix.
To Kill A Monkey
Season: 1
Episodes: 8
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Genre: Crime Thriller
Streamer: Netflix
The culture around fraud in Nigeria is one that has been deeply intertwined in our history. In To Kill a Monkey, Kemi Adetiba tackles the new age version of this fraud with Efe (William Benson) who is brought into this life of crime and wealth by Oboz (Bucci Franklin), the leader of a cybercrime enterprise. Efe’s rise to wealth and the challenges he faces makes for Nollywood television you can’t take your eyes off.
Watch To Kill A Monkey on Netflix.
Inside Life
Season: 1
Episodes: 6
Director: Clarence Peters
Genre: Crime Thriller, Fantasy
Streamer: Netflix
We all know Clarence Peters for his many music videos but his foray into Nollywood television makes for a mind bending, genre fluid documentation of the suffering of Nigerian life. It follows different Nigerians, a struggling student, a video vixen, a troubled family, and takes you into their lives of despair. The mystery that dwells underneath the suffering keeps you coming back for more.
Watch Inside Life on Netflix.
Crime and Justice Lagos
Season: 1
Episodes: 6
Director: Mak ‘Kusare, Yinka Edward, Onyinye Egenti
Genre: Procedural
We always hear about the atrocities of Lagos and in this series we finally see a somewhat competent police unit try and solve these atrocities. Kelechi (Folu Storms) and Danladi (Ibrahim Jammal), detective partners in the unit, must go around Lagos solving these crimes and grappling with the ways their work affects them personally. What keeps you is the vibrant filmmaking and the reality of the stories the show tackles.
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Blood Sisters
Season: 2
Episodes: 8
Director: Biyi Bandele, Kenneth Gyang, Kayode Kasum, Daniel Oriahi
Genre: Crime Thriller
Streamer: Netflix
The bond of a friendship between women can survive anything, including murder. In this kinetic Nollywood series, we follow Sarah (Nancy Isime) and Kemi (Ini Dima-Okojie) after they murder the former’s abusive fiance. The show is constantly moving from the first episode and explores familial dysfunction, abuse and the ways wealth holds power in Nigeria. The thrill of the chase will have you hitting “next episode” till the sun rises.
Watch Blood Sisters on Netflix.
Far From Home
Season: 1
Episodes: 5
Director: Catherine Stewart, Kayode Kasum
Genre: Crime, Young adult
Streamer: Netflix
Ishaya Bello (Mike Afolarin) was born into dire circumstances but he constantly dreams of more. This premise of the show allows us to follow him as he navigates a new life in an elite academy thanks to a scholarship. It contrasts his life of poverty with the life of the wealthy students he meets and learns that no matter where he lands, trouble always follows.
Watch Far From Home on Netflix.
Flawsome
Season: 2
Episodes: 26
Director: Tola Odunsi
Genre: Drama
A Nollywood TV show about female friendship is made to be binged and that’s exactly what Flawsome is. Following four women (Rahmat, Dolapo, Ifenyinwa, Ivie), it takes you on a journey where they face corporate challenges, relationship complications and life battles while still trying to keep their core friendship going.
Skinny Girl In Transit
Season: 7
Episodes: 77
Director: Bunmi Ajakaiye, Muhammad Atta Ahmed, Ema Edosio
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Streamer: YouTube
One of the original binge darlings, Skinny Girl In Transit follows Tiwalade over six seasons as she tries to lose weight and juggle all her relationships and life demands. We follow her growth and triumph one episode at a time which keeps you captivated by this relatable protagonist and all her troubles.
Watch Skinny Girl In Transit on YouTube.
The Men’s Club
Season: 5
Episodes: 63
Director: Tola Odunsi
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Streamer: Prime Video
The show revolves around four men (Aminu, Louis, Lanre and Tayo) as they navigate their relationships. It’s a rare entry into the lives of modern Nigerian men and the challenges they face which makes each episode an enthralling look into dynamics you might have seen in real life.
Watch The Men’s Club on Prime Video.
