Nigerian TV series and movies were among the best part of growing up in Nigeria in the 80s. Why’s that? Because the movies that were around at the time were simply made to be enjoyed by families, unlike what we have in the present day.
At 7pm for most days of the week, families gather around and kids would sit at the foot of their parents enjoying these movies and series together – something most kids lack today. These movies and series were simple, and most importantly descent. Among the variety available before home-video began to boom, “Tales by Moonlight” remained everyone’s favourite.
Take a look at the list we compiled to take you back to the 80s.
Basi and Company
The writer and producer of this Nigerian TV series, which later on was published as a comedy fiction book series, late Ken Saro-Wiwa, told the story of an eccentric young man, Basi.
He was a young man with dreams and aspirations of becoming a millionaire but through the fast-track. His idea of becoming rich was to trick the rich and wealthy. He was going to achieve this by using his distinctive qualities and skills in English.
The show featured from the late 80s to the 90s on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and was drawn from the African folklore. It was a satire focused on the quick money that comes from oil which was quickly becoming a widespread mentality among Nigerians. Albert Egbe, Zulu Adigwe and Mildred Iweka all featured in this series.
Checkmate
This Nigerian TV series brought with it a blend of good story line and unique characters making it one of the best at the time. The story revolved around polygamy and families in discord as well as on cultism. Amaka Isaac-Ene was the creator of this series. Actors that starred include Ego Boyo (then Ego Nnamani), Richard Mofe-Damijo and Francis Agu. The show which began around the late 80s was last aired around 1994.
New Masquerade
The New Masquerade was one of Nigeria’s longest-running sitcoms. At the time, it attracted a huge audience. It featured a combination of funny characters including:
- Zebrudaya alias 4.30: he communicates with everyone in his Ingiligbo (Igbo mixed with English), not minding whether they understand his so called Queens English.
- Ovularia: the homely wife of the war veteran Zebrudaya and a mini trade woman.
- Jegede Sokoya: flawlessly portrayed by a trans-ethnic and multi- linguist actor, whom in the eyes of every growing child at the time was a Yoruba man.
- Giringori: the creator of the sitcom portrayed by Late James Iroha and the houseboy of Zebrudaya.
- Nati: the always hungry character. He arrives at your house the minute food is served and you never know how he does it.
These characters displayed their sense of drama and comedy to fulfill the original intention of the sitcom, which was to create an atmosphere that will relieve Nigerians of the tension and stress caused by the Nigerian Civil War.
Tales By Moonlight – One of the Best Nigerian TV Series Ever
Just like telling fairy tales, “Tales by Moonlight” was created with this idea and it developed into a favourite kiddies programme in the early 80s and 90s. It was generally focused on narrating traditional Nigerian stories. It aired every Sunday on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Every episode was engaging as the narrator, a woman who was fondly called “Aunty”, narrated stories with deep meanings to a group of children seated under a tree to listen to her.
What we never knew as kids were if these group of children were the same in all episodes, or if they were different for every episode. The episodes do not end after the stories were finished. They go to share an interactive session where the kids are allowed to ask questions on the stories they just listened to, get answers back and share different lessons they learned from the stories being told.
Things Fall Apart
This Nigerian movie may be the greatest fictional story Nigeria has ever made, although this is arguable. It is a television series that was based upon a classic novel of the same name by the legendary Chinua Achebe.
It first aired in 1987 and went on into the early 1990s. It delineates the life of a strong Igbo man “Okonkwo” in two different scenarios. The iconic Pete Edochie got his big break as an actor from this series. It also featured Nollywood veterans Nkem Owoh and the late Sam Loco Efe.
Behind the Clouds
This Nigerian TV series was pulled out of air after Macarthur Fom, who played Nosa, passed away due to complications from cerebral meningitis. The show went downwards from then and was never the same after that. It was a big loss for everyone as he played a very notable character.
The storyline is now vague to us, but the name and the names of many more of them remain evergreen to everyone who saw these TV series.
The gang of friends, wives and houseboys dished humour to millions of Nigerians every Tuesday night from 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm. The New Masquerade is one of Nigeria’s most beloved TV shows with an iconic theme song and unforgettable characters.