The continued rise of streaming services has come with a lot of competition. Many movie directors, filmmakers and show creators cannot get their shows on platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime yet and are now resorting to self-distribution. One of the main channels they’ve settled on is YouTube. There is an increasing number of channels and original Nigerian web series that are being distributed on YouTube and while some of them are watched by millions there are still some undiscovered gems within the Nigerian YouTube show scene.
In this article, we put you on to some of the most entertaining original Nigerian web series taking our YouTube recommended pages by storm; you might have seen some of them but we doubt you’ve seen all of them.
Best Friends in the World: Senior Year
Produced by Neptune3 Studios, BFW: Senior Year is a continuation of their original Best Friends in the World Series that premiered on YouTube in 2018. The series is set in a Nigerian high school and is about true friendship, love, jealousy, trust, and parent’s love; essentially a story of how friendship is being tested. Written by Jesimiel Damina and directed by Jemima Damina, the show stars Promise Nicholas, John Idara, Anita Eluagu, Cynthia Uche, Kalu Ikeagwu, and Toyomfom Okpokang amongst others.
Papa Benji
Produced for Baron’s World & Zing Network by acclaimed Nigerian comedian Basketmouth, Papa Benji is a comedy web series free to watch on his channel Basketmouthcomedy. The show features rib-cracking dialogue along with exchanges between customers and staff at the famous Papa Benji pepper soup joint. The series first aired in late 2020 and has been renewed for 3 seasons so far. Papa Benji stars popular comedians such as Basketmouth, Nasboi, Mr Funny, Brain jotter, Senator, Nedu, I go save and more.
When Are We Getting Married
From executive producer Bola Atta, When Are We Getting Married is a story of two young lovers who move in together and try to make their relationship work in spite of their divergent views on life. The show, which was produced by Kayode Kassum and Olufemi Bamigbetan for Red TV, reveals how important chemistry is but how it isn’t nearly enough to make a relationship work. It also touches on peculiar problems young people face in contemporary Nigeria while navigating romance. Edith and Fenwa are on different wavelengths about love and the prospect of getting married. They must fight the world, their fears, their pasts and each other if their relationship will survive and go the distance. Written by Ife Olujuyigbe, the series stars Ric Hassani and Immaculata Oko-Kasum.
Peeker
Peeker is a blind dating show and social experiment produced by Madeaux Africa. The web series seeks to answer the question: is it possible to form a genuine connection with the opposite sex without seeing the person? Peeker, which is in its second season and has a total of 13 binge-able episodes, features a wide variety of guests such as Asher Kine, Paul Bridges, Solis, Mayor Frosh, Moses LDN and others.
Flow, With Korty
Flow, With Korty is an ongoing series produced by Nigerian YouTube sensation Korty EO. Flow is a conversation series with people doing interesting things and uncovering how they’ve managed to get to their current position in a way that’s authentic and captivating. The series has 18 episodes and has featured Laycon, Rema, Bella Shmurda, Don Jazzy, Ayra Starr, TG Omori, Asa, Black Sherif, Victony and more.
This Thing Called Love
This Thing Called Love is a web series produced by Nigerian media studio, Gem Studios. The series follows the journey of an utterly heartbroken Serena who is ghosted by her long-time boyfriend and decides to never love again until an incident pushes her to find love. Serena sets out on a series of dates to find love but it won’t be smooth sailing as different challenges come her way. Written and produced by Gift Collins-Amadi, the show stars Sandra Okunzuwa, Caroline Igbein, Greg Ojefua, Jide Jblaze Oyegbile, Joseph Momodu, Michael Ejoor, Joshua Richard, Emmanuel Akpotang, and Stan Nze.
The Audition
The Audition is an ongoing comedy series by acclaimed Nigerian comedian Josh2Funny. The series, which now has over 90 episodes, premiered in 2017 and is in its 8th season. The Audition, produced by Josh2Funny with Bina Nayee serving as the show’s executive producer, is a fun and exciting series that is set in an audition show that features contestants with the most unusual and frustrating talents.
High School Magical
Directed by Director Sweet, High School Magical is a new Nigerian sci-fi series that is set in a high school where students have supernatural abilities. The web series is produced by popular Instagram comedian Sirbalo whose real name is Timothy Obotuke. The cast of the series includes Afeez Oyetoro, Lorenzo Ojeaga, James Brown, Ngozi Nwosu, Kayode Olaseinde, Beryl Ama, Ogunleye Olamide, and Timothy Obotuke among others.
Day In The Life
Day In The Life is a new series by Rediscover TV that gives you an insight into what young entrepreneurs in Nigeria do differently each day to get closer to achieving their goals both in their careers and personal lives. So far, the series has spoken with tech founder Ifeoma Nwobu, content creator and strategist Pasheda Temitope, and alternative Afrobeat artist Zainab Elizabeth Donli.
Is This Seat Taken
Chinasa Anukam won our hearts during the pandemic with her wit and comedic timing. She rightfully pivoted to her self-produced YouTube series Is This Seat Taken where she interviews celebrities and popular figures via a date format. The first season featured the likes of Falz, Pretty Boy DO and Ajebutter 22. The second saw an uptick in guests with the likes of Pere, Timini and L.A.X. dropping by to dig into the juicy bits of their lives. Chinasa Anukam serves as the show’s host, executive producer and director, with Ajay Abalaka as the director of photography.