Television in Nigeria has delivered decades of entertainment, from laugh-out-loud comedies to gripping dramas, and sometimes both at once. These TV shows have not only entertained but also influenced culture and reflected everyday life, spanning the early days of the Nigerian Television Authority to the modern era of satellite and streaming platforms.
Each of these shows has left a lasting mark, shaping humour, storytelling, and television standards for generations of viewers.
To survive a decade on Nigerian airwaves is a testament to enduring appeal. From the slapstick legacy of Wale Adenuga’s Papa Ajasco to the high-stakes drama of Tinsel, these shows have defined what it means to resonate with audiences across generations.
Papa Ajasco & Company (1996–2025)
Created by Wale Adenuga, Papa Ajasco & Company is one of Nigeria’s longest-running sitcoms, first premiering in 1996 under the title The Ajasco Family. The series centres on the chaotic misadventures of the Ajasco household, Papa Ajasco, Mama Ajasco, and their son, alongside a memorable cast of friends and rivals that includes Pa James, Miss Pepeiye, and Boy Alinco.
In 2017, the show was refreshed as Papa Ajasco Reloaded, marking the first major update to its long-running format. Years later, it underwent another reinvention with Papa Ajasco & Company: Gen Z Papi, an iteration designed to speak to a younger audience. This latest version follows Papa Ajasco as he attempts an unlikely pivot into Afrobeats stardom while navigating familiar family drama.
The Gen Z Papi iteration aired 37 episodes, beginning in 2024 and wrapping up in July 2025. There has been no official confirmation on whether the show will return, but reruns of this version have been airing since November 2025.
Super Story (2001–Present)
Another creation from Wale Adenuga Productions, Super Story debuted in 2001 as Nigeria’s first anthology drama series, opening with its inaugural season, Oh Father! Oh Daughter!. Unlike traditional soap operas, the show tells a complete, often morally driven story over a limited run of episodes before moving on to an entirely new and unrelated narrative. That structure has allowed the series to constantly reinvent itself and remain relevant for over two decades.
The show is instantly recognisable for its iconic opening theme song and for launching the career of Sola Sobowale through her breakout role as Toyin Tomato, a character so popular that many people still refer to her by the name more than 25 years later. Beyond its stories on screen, Super Story also shaped everyday language. Because many of its plotlines revolved around exaggerated conflicts, hidden truths, and dramatic revelations, the title “Super Story” entered Nigerian slang as shorthand for an obvious lie or an over-the-top tall tale.
Over the years, the series grew into a major cultural fixture on Nigerian television. Its most recent season, Stars and Scars, began airing in late 2025 and is still currently on air.
The Village Headmaster (1968–1988)
The Village Headmaster occupies a singular place in Nigerian television history as the country’s first major television drama series. Originally developed as a radio programme, it made the transition to television in 1968 and aired on the Nigerian Television Authority. The series ran for two decades, concluding its original run in 1988.
Set in the fictional village of Oja, the show explored the daily life of the village headmaster and the social issues, power struggles, and communal relationships that shaped the community around him. Over its long run, it helped establish the narrative and structural foundations for Nigerian television drama and remains a cultural reference point across generations.
The series featured a rotating lineup of headmasters played by Justus Esiri, Ted Mukoro, and Femi Robinson. Its influence extended beyond the screen into everyday language. The term “amebo” became popular through the character Amebo, the village palm wine seller and resident gossip, while “gorimapa” entered common usage as slang for a bald-headed person, inspired by the bald servant character of the same name.
Tinsel (2008–Present)
Tinsel is widely regarded as Nigeria’s longest-running modern television soap opera. It premiered in August 2008 and has aired continuously ever since, crossing the 4,000-episode mark in late 2024. Set within the world of Nollywood, the series centres on the fierce rivalry between two fictional film producers, Fred and Brenda, and the many lives drawn into their ongoing power struggles.
The show’s sustained run, expansive storytelling, and consistently high production values have made it a cornerstone of contemporary Nigerian television. Over the years, Tinsel has also served as a platform for some of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, with actors such as Richard Mofe Damijo, Ireti Doyle, Kunle Remi, and Damilola Adegbite appearing on the series at various points in its history.
The Johnsons (2012–2024)
The Johnsons was a hugely successful family sitcom that premiered in January 2012. Set in Lagos, the series followed the everyday lives of an average Nigerian household, drawing humour from the familiar and often chaotic realities of family life. At its centre were father Lucky Johnson, played by Charles Inojia, and mother Emu Johnson, played by the late Ada Ameh, alongside their children Efe, played by Chinedu Ikedieze, who also served as the show’s narrator, Tare, Blessing, and Jennifer.
The series officially ended in 2024 after a long and consistent run that cemented its place as one of the most recognisable Nigerian sitcoms of the 21st century. Over twelve seasons and more than 1,800 episodes, The Johnsons became a fixture in many homes, remembered for its relatability, sharp humour, and lasting appeal.
Jenifa’s Diary (2015–Present)
Jenifa’s Diary is a comedy-drama series that premiered in May 2015. It continues the story from the 2008 film of the same name, starring Funke Akindele as Jenifa, a naive but ambitious young woman navigating life in Lagos. The series has consistently produced new seasons, with episodes confirmed to be airing in late 2025 and early 2026, solidifying its place among Nigeria’s longest-running shows.
Jenifa might not be polished or articulate, but she is street smart, sharp, and determined. The original cast was small, featuring Jenifa and her friends Toyosi “Toyo Baby” and Kiki as they navigated university life and hostel living. Over the years, the series expanded, introducing new characters, celebrity cameos, and eventually following Jenifa as she built her own salon business.
Watching Jenifa evolve has been a highlight of the series. She may never have become a refined socialite, but she is now a successful business owner who has grown tremendously over the years. Jenifa’s Diary is currently in its 23rd season.
The New Masquerade (1983–Mid-1990s)
A cornerstone of Nigerian comedy, The New Masquerade started as a radio program in the 1970s before becoming a beloved television sitcom in the early 1980s. The TV version ran from around 1983 to the mid-1990s on NTA and became famous for its eccentric and memorable characters. Chief among them was Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo, played by Chika Okpala, whose comical misuse of English quickly became legendary.
The show blended humour with moral lessons, entertaining audiences while reflecting everyday life. Its success helped pave the way for future Nigerian television comedies and set a standard for character-driven sitcoms in the country.
Fuji House of Commotion (2001–2010)
A popular spin-off of the 1990s soap opera Checkmate, Fuji House of Commotion was a sitcom that followed the chaotic but humorous life of Chief T.A. Fuji, a wealthy man with four wives—Mama Moji, Peace, Ireti, and Caro—and their numerous children. The clashing personalities and constant family drama are where the “commotion” in the title comes from.
The series ran from 2001 and concluded around 2010. It was celebrated for its witty dialogue and the dynamic interactions within the large, polygamous family. The Fuji family proved so entertaining and popular that creator Amaka Igwe decided to give them their own dedicated show, cementing Fuji House of Commotion as a standout in Nigerian television comedy.
The post The longest-running Nigerian TV shows of all time appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
from Nigerian Entertainment Today https://ift.tt/oEXIYxu
via IFTTT
Post a Comment