When people talk about their favourite Nigerian TV shows, they often mention the actors or how fine the production looks. However, the truth is that none of those shows would exist without the scriptwriters; they are the ones who create the story, build the characters, and write every powerful line that keeps us hooked.
We have all been glued, maybe once or twice, to our TVs as a result of shows we couldn’t stop watching. Perhaps it was Superstory back in the day or something newer like Shanty Town on Netflix, but no matter the era, the common characteristic is that behind every great show is someone who wrote it. After celebrating the actors, we should also talk about the Nigerian TV show scriptwriters. They are the true architects of every gripping storyline and every character we connect with.
This article highlights the scriptwriters behind Nigeria’s most talked-about TV shows and how they continue to shape Nollywood’s storytelling style. So, if you’ve ever wondered who writes Nigerian hit TV shows, this is for you!
Top Nigerian TV shows
These are some of the most-watched Nigerian TV shows, both old and new:
- Superstory
- Tinsel
- Aníkúlápó
- Shanty Town
1. Super Story
Wale Adenuga.
Before Netflix, before YouTube, and before Instagram clips went viral, every Nigerian home had one thing in common on Thursday nights: Super Story. This series tackled real-life issues that were often ignored in mainstream media.
Whether it was about family secrets, societal pressure, or betrayal, Superstory always came with a strong moral lesson that people discussed at work, in school, and in church until the next episode was watched the following week. This series was always anticipated, especially when it was a new week.
Super Story, This Life, Papa Ajasco and Company, and Nnenna and Friends were all TV shows featured on different days of the week that kept Nigerians glued to their screens back in the day. A single person wrote these shows.
That man is Wale Adenuga, a veteran in the industry and one of Nigeria’s most famous TV scriptwriters. Wale Adenuga didn’t just write for television; he shaped an era by creating relatable characters and stories with strong values and messages that still resonate today. His work stands as proof that one who writes Nigerian hit TV shows doesn’t need social media buzz to have a massive influence.
Superstory stood out because of its raw honesty. It was never too flashy, never too complicated, just solid scriptwriting for Nigerian TV series that reflected real life.
2. Tinsel
Tinsel premiered in 2008, and honestly, nothing had looked like it before on Nigerian TV. It was sleek, polished, and it gave us a taste of the entertainment business from a drama perspective. The storylines were juicy, filled with love triangles, betrayals and power moves.
What made it shine was the production quality and consistency; this show is still running today with over 3000 episodes.
As a result of the show’s long-running history, Tinsel has had a team of writers over the years. However, names like Tunde Babalola and Yinka Ogun stand out for their contributions to building the foundation. These renowned Nigerian TV scriptwriters ensured that the plot always had twists and the characters remained relatable.
Tinsel has shown that the best scriptwriters in Nigeria aren’t just writing for now; they’re creating something timeless.
3. Aníkúlápó
Shola Dada
Aníkúlápó came out swinging with bold storytelling, stunning visuals and strong ties to Yoruba mythology. It wasn’t just a movie; it felt like a cultural moment that was set in a pre-colonial Yoruba kingdom. The show combined tradition with fantasy and gave us a storyline that didn’t feel like a copy of anything else.
And the fact that it performed so well on Netflix made it one of the most talked-about Nigerian shows in recent years. At this juncture, we must give honour to the scriptwriter, and this writer is none other than Shola Dada.
She managed to blend spiritual themes, character development, and traditional values without losing the interest of modern viewers. Sola is now known among insiders as one of the best scriptwriters in Nigeria for heritage-based stories.
Aníkúlápó stood out because in a world where many shows try to imitate Western formats, Shola wrote it in a way that felt original and refreshing. It reminded us that there’s a massive market for authentic African stories if you have the right Nigerian TV show scriptwriter telling them.
4. Shanty Town
Xavier Ighorodje
Shanty Town is a Nigerian show that follows the story of women trying to escape sex trafficking in a brutal criminal underworld. This movie is bold, emotional, and filled with many twists, all wrapped in high production value. When it was released on Netflix in 2023, it became clear that it was one of the most-streamed Nigerian originals. The real question now is who is/are behind this series.
The writing duo here includes Xavier Ighorodje, also known as Xela and co-creator Chichi Nworah. Xela is part of a new wave of writers who are shaking up Nollywood. He’s fearless with his pen and is quickly becoming one of the top Nigerian scriptwriters to watch. This duo did an excellent job, and their writing didn’t just turn into a complex story but into something that everyone could understand, feel, and debate.
Shanty Town’s success proves that audiences are ready for layered storytelling that addresses real-life issues. This kind of writing isn’t just about shock value; it’s about depth, perspective and truth. These are the kinds of stories that make people realise just how vital scriptwriters behind Nigeria’s most talked-about TV shows are.
Why Nigerian Scriptwriters Deserve More Recognition
These writers don’t always get the spotlight they deserve, because without them, there would be no stories to shoot, no lines to act, and no shows to trend.
It’s time we started celebrating the famous Nigerian TV scriptwriters who are shaping the future of storytelling. They are not just writing for fun, but they are shaping culture, shifting narratives and putting Nigerian stories on the global map.
Conclusion: Scriptwriters Behind Nigeria’s Most Talked-About TV Shows
So next time you’re watching a hit series on your TV, laptop, or phone, take a moment to think about the person who wrote every line. The scriptwriters behind Nigeria’s most talked-about TV shows deserve just as much love as the actors.
From Superstory to Shanty Town, from Wale Adenuga to Xavier Ighorodje, Nigerian scriptwriters are proving that words have power. They are the ones behind the scenes of Nigerian TV shows, turning ideas into stories and stories into sensations.
Thanks to the work of these top Nigerian scriptwriters, Nollywood’s future looks bold, authentic and unstoppable.
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FAQs About Nigerian Scriptwriters and TV Shows
1: Who are the best scriptwriters in Nigeria today?
The best scriptwriters in Nigeria today are those consistently delivering strong storylines across film and television. Writers such as Dami Elebe, Kemi Adesoye, and Tunde Babalola are recognised for their powerful storytelling, dialogue, and cultural relevance.
2: Who are the most well-known Nigerian TV show scriptwriters?
Some of the most respected Nigerian TV show scriptwriters include Wale Adenuga, Tunde Babalola, Sola Dada, and Xela (Xavier Ighorodje). These writers have created stories for shows like Superstory, Tinsel, Aníkúlápó, and Shanty Town.
3: Which Nigerian TV show has the best writing
Shows like Superstory, Tinsel, Aníkúlápó, and Shanty Town are often praised for their strong writing and emotional impact
4: Which scriptwriters are behind Nigeria’s most talked-about TV shows?
The scriptwriters behind Nigeria’s most talked-about TV shows include Wale Adenuga for Superstory, Tunde Babalola for Tinsel, Sola Dada for Aníkúlápó, and Xela for Shanty Town. Their work has shaped the direction of modern Nollywood television.
