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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published in 2018, Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has become a smash hit. With the novel and its two sequels, “Children of Virtue and Vengeance” and “Children of Anguish and Anarchy” (collectively known as the “Legacy of Orïsha” trilogy) spending weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. 

Since the adaptation was announced, it’s been a series of dramatic events. So, here is a timeline of all the events from the moment we found out about the adaptation till now.

March 2018: Fox acquires rights to Children of Blood and Bone

Fox 2000 (producers of The Percy Jackson films and The Devil Wears Prada) acquired the film rights to the book in a massive seven figure deal. 

December 2020: Transfer of rights

The film rights of the book were transferred to LucasFilm, but it never really took off and ended up getting stalled.

January 2022: Paramount acquires trilogy rights

Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to the “Legacy of Orïsha” trilogy in a highly competitive bidding war. 

December 2023: Director of Children of Blood and Bone named.

Gina Prince-Bythewood, director of The Woman King, was announced to direct “Children of Blood and Bone” and co-write the screenplay with Adeyemi, with casting as the next crucial step.ĚýĚý

January 2025: Lead cast announced

Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris and Tosin Cole were announced as the lead actors for the film. This was the beginning of the film’s troubles. There was a ton of backlash at the casting, especially the role of Princess Amari who is dark skinned in the book being given to Amandla. There were also complaints about the lack of local Nigerian talent in the casting. But Tomi was quick to defend Amandla’s casting and remind us that an open casting call would be held for Nigerian talent. 

February 2025: Shooting begins

Shooting for the film started, with the cast sharing photos from their location in South Africa. 

March 2025: Casting call results announced to criticism

The results for the casting call were finally announced with Pamilerin Ayodeji and Shamz Garuba being announced as the newcomers. Additionally, Richard Mofe Damijo and Ayra Starr were also announced as part of the cast. This was met with online ridicule as Tomi had made such a big deal of the open casting call, only for us to get two relatively new names and two already established stars. 

June 2025: Shooting completes

The director announced that shooting had been completed at last. 

July 2026: Tomi Adeyemi distances herself from adaptation

The author made an announcement on social media distancing herself from the adaptation despite having producer and writer credits. She shared screenshots from an alleged  conversation dated late February with Amandla. In the conversation, she warned her to never bring up her name again in any interviews. 

This adaptation has been plagued with one controversy after another and, also, this isn’t Tomi’s first online controversy. In 2018 she accused acclaimed romance author Nora Roberts of plagiarizing  her book title. This led Nora Roberts to write a blistering blogpost after which Tomi retracted her accusations and apologized.

With all the issues clouding this adaptation, will you be watching the film come January next year? 

Our countrymen might be absent but the love for football transcends patriotism. From Portugal to England, Argentina to Senegal, we asked Nigerians what countries they are adopting for the World Cup.

France — Excel, 23, Male

I’m supporting France because of Mbappe. They jokingly call him a dictator but I just think he’s misunderstood and I am rooting for him to win two world cups before thirty which would be an insane achievement. I am also supporting Portugal because Bruno Fernandez plays for them and also plays for Manchester United, the club I support. His winning will improve his chances of winning the Balon d’Or.

Portugal — Divine, 26, Male 

I’m supporting Portugal because I think Ronaldo is the greatest football player in the world and he needs to win a World Cup to prove the naysayers wrong.

France — Alpha, 24, Male 

I’m supporting France because the whole team is basically made up of Africans. If Nigeria can’t make it in at least let me support a country with African representation.

No Allegiance — Tobi, 24, Male

I’m supporting any country with the hottest players, my allegiance lies with beauty.

Norway — Didi, 29, Female  

I’m supporting Norway because I think Erling Haaland is the hottest man ever. African countries are playing nonsense. No rage, no desire, no passion.

Portugal — Inem, 25, Male 

I’m supporting Portugal because of Bruno Fernandez and Brazil because they have the most beautiful women.

Norway — Nic, 26, Male 

I’m supporting Norway because I also support Manchester City and Haaland plays for both. I’m dedicated to both club and country.

Argentina and Spain — Ebube, 26, Male

I support both countries because of Messi and Yamal. They’re the chosen ones so any of them winning is a win for me.

Portugal — Becca, 24, Female 

My real support is for Ronaldo because that’s my GOAT.

France — Kenyo, 24, Male

I support France because the supreme leader Mbappe is their captain.

Which country do you support? Let us know. 

This list covers Nigerian films that stood out in celebration of genre, dedication to craft, appreciation of culture and also just a great time at the movies. These are the 10 best Nollywood films of 2026, so far.

10. The Boy Who Gave 

Running time: 118 minutes 

Director: Allison Precious Emmanuel 

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Films that take us to parts of Nigeria rarely seen are not many, and in Allison Emmanuel’s debut feature he takes us to Bonny Island, a place fraught with economic and political violence. He writes, directs and stars in the film that follows Broda, a first son, who is left to care for his siblings after the death of his parents. It’s a film that leans into the dreary existence that poverty plunges you into and it asks if escape is ever possible. 

The Boy Who Gave is currently showing in the cinemas.

9. The Other Side Of The Bridge 

Running time: 116 minutes 

Director: Fiyin Gambo

Genre: Sports Drama

Many Nigerian films in recent times have tried to capture the class tension between the wealthy and the poor in our society. In the Other Side Of The Bridge, we see the Fiyin Gambo-directed feature put this tension in a gritty boxing drama that follows two boxers (played by Tobi Bakre and Demi Banwo) from vastly different backgrounds competing in a prestigious tournament hoping to win it for reasons that define both their lives.

The Other Side Of The Bridge is not yet available on any streaming platforms.

8. Aba Blues

Running time: 120 minutes 

Director: Jack’enneth Opukeme

Genre: Romantic Drama 

Jack’enneth Opukeme has a flair for writing interesting women defying cultural boundaries. In Aba Blues he writes and directs a story of a woman (played by Angel Anosike) stuck between two lovers: one from her past and another in her present. It’s a story that celebrates and critiques Igbo culture, centering the love story in a place and time that shows the director’s signature vintage storytelling. 

Aba Blues is streaming on

7. Onobiren: A Woman’s Story

Running time: 104 minutes 

Director: Famous Odion Iraoya

Genre: Drama 

Nollywood has a fraught history with its women and in a bid to tell their own stories, Onobiren enters with the tale of a woman recounting her life experiences as she moves from her village to the city. It is a film that centres human efforts as acts of faith and miracles. Directed by Famous Odion Iraoya and written by Laju Iren, Onobiren opens the breadth of womanhood for the industry to learn from. 

Onobiren: A Woman’s Story is not yet available on any streaming platforms.

6. To Adaego With Love

Running time: 129 minutes

Director: Nwamaka Chikezie

Genre: Historical Romance 

In this Nwamaka Chikezie directed feature, we see a love story placed at the core of the post civil war reconciliation efforts in the East. Starring Adam Garba and Chisom Agoawuike, who have palpable chemistry, it navigates the complicated emotions of a people who have still not been given proper reparations for a war that ravaged their place and culture. It places this conflict within and outside a love story that will leave you in your feels when the credits roll. 

To Adaego With Love can be rented on the film’s

5. Evi

Running time: 107 minutes 

Director: Uyoyou Adia

Genre: Musical Drama

With the increase in Afrobeats recognition worldwide, a film about a fictional Afrobeats star was bound to happen. Enter Evi. It follows a pop star who falls from grace and attempts to return to success with a new lease on life. Starring Osas Okonyon in the titular role and directed by Uyoyou Adia, we get a glimpse into the shady workings of an industry where the price for success is often a loss of self. And to crown it all, it does have some bangers.

Evi is not yet available to stream on any platforms.

4. On Different Grounds

Running time: 120 minutes 

Director: Mildred Okwo

Genre: Romantic Dramedy

A veteran returns to the camera and brings other veterans with her in this Mildred Okwo directed romantic comedy. This film follows a separated couple who have to share the same space during the week of their daughter’s marriage. It’s a film that finds the older stars of Nollywood like Nkem Owoh, Jennifer Eliogu and Bob Manuel Udowku in roles that respect their skills. At the same time, it creates a narrative rarely seen with a happy ending that reminds us that second chances are never too late.

On Different Grounds is currently showing in cinemas.

3. When Nigeria Happens 

Running time: 119 minutes

Director: Ema Edosio-Deelen

Genre: Dance drama

Sometimes a Nigerian film departs from the usual forms we’re used to and creates an experiment that dissects the way our society breaks us. This is the central thesis of When Nigeria Happens. Directed by Ema Edosio-Deelen, it follows a group of misfit dancers who are trying to make it amidst the obstacles Nigeria throws at them. A film that uses dance as a primary driver of its story, we journey with this group as the pressure to fit in builds to a moving conclusion. 

When Nigeria Happens is streaming for a limited time on the

2. Mothers Of Chibok

Running time: 88 minutes 

Director: Joel Kachi Benson

Genre: Documentary

The kidnapping of the Chibok Girls remains one of the most consequential moments of Nigeria’s history and the media around it has remained fraught with propaganda and political motivations. With Mothers of Chibok, directed by Joel Kachi Benson, we witness a group of mothers who, after their daughters’ abduction, spend weeks, months and years waiting for their return. It is a solemn study on the way this tragedy has defined their present and future, and a documentation of their resilience. 

Mothers Of Chibok is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

1. Call Of My Life

Running time: 107 minutes 

Director: Dammy Twitch

Genre: Romantic comedy 

A call centre agent, Soluchi, is going through a tough heartbreak when she receives a call that is bound to change the trajectory of her love life. Directed by Dammy Twitch in his feature debut and written by Uzoamaka Power, Call Of My Life reminds us that a good romantic comedy is grounded in the cultural context of its people. With strong lead performances, a score that paints the romance and supporting characters you want to see more of, the film joins the pantheon of great Nigerian romcoms and will definitely be rewatched by generations to come.

Call Of My Life is currently showing in cinemas.