Top 10 Funniest Nigerian Comedy Shows Of All Time

Hello there, my dear reader! Today, we are about to go on a very special journey—a journey through the lanes of our collective memory, where laughter was pure, characters were larger than life, and every episode left us wiping tears from our eyes—not from sorrow, but from intense, rib-cracking laughter.

If you grew up in Nigeria or have spent enough time around Nigerians, you’ll know that we don’t joke with our comedy. From the golden age of NTA shows to modern digital skits, comedy has been a huge part of our culture. It’s our coping mechanism, our stress relief, and our way of telling society’s stories without starting a protest. When the generator refuses to start or the jollof rice burns, it’s our favourite comedy shows that help us bounce back.

So, in no particular order (because honestly, they all deserve gold medals), here are the top 10 funniest Nigerian comedy shows of all time. Prepare for a heavy dose of nostalgia, laughter, and maybe a few “ah! I remember that one!” moments.

1. Papa Ajasco and Company

Let’s start with the grandfather of Nigerian TV comedy—Papa Ajasco and Company. Created by the legendary Wale Adenuga, this show was everywhere in the early 2000s. You didn’t even need to own a TV. Just walk into any house on a Sunday evening and you’d find Papa Ajasco slapping his bald head in surprise, Boy Alinco posing like a mannequin, or Miss Pepeiye bringing her “package” to the table.

The characters were all hilarious exaggerations of Nigerian stereotypes, and that’s what made them so lovable. The show didn’t just make us laugh, it taught us life lessons—loudly, theatrically, and with plenty of “ah-ah” moments.

2. The New Masquerade

Before Papa Ajasco took over the scene, The New Masquerade ruled our screens. If you’re under 30, ask your parents—they’ll have plenty of stories. This NTA classic gave us unforgettable characters like Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo, who spoke a version of English that made dictionaries cry. His wife Ovuleria and the ever-hungry Jegede Shokoya were always ready with drama.

Watching The New Masquerade felt like attending a village town hall meeting—with laughter as the main agenda. It was culturally rich, linguistically hilarious, and a timeless treasure.

3. Fuji House of Commotion

Now, who remembers the chaos, drama, and constant screaming of Fuji House of Commotion? If you’ve ever had siblings, or better still, shared a house with cousins during the Christmas holidays, you’ll relate to the madness in Chief Fuji’s polygamous household.

Created by the incredible Amaka Igwe, this show gave us everything—jealousy, competition, sibling rivalry, unfiltered gossip, and those sudden “pepper is too much!” food fights. And yet, underneath the chaos, it was a beautiful portrayal of Nigerian family life. No matter how loud the shouting got, you could always feel the love.

4. Basi and Company

Ah, Basi and Company. This show introduced us to the original “I must hammer” crew. Long before Instagram influencers and crypto traders, there was Basi—the king of unrealistic business ideas. Every episode saw him coming up with another get-rich-quick scheme, and every episode ended with us laughing at how spectacularly it failed.

Created by Ken Saro-Wiwa (yes, the same environmental activist), Basi and Company was ahead of its time. It cleverly poked fun at greed, laziness, and the Nigerian obsession with “making it big” without doing the work. And the theme song? Unforgettable.

5. Professor Johnbull

Now let’s take it to Enugu, where Professor Johnbull was busy using big grammar to fix society. Played by Kanayo O. Kanayo (without any ritual this time), the professor was a principled man who took it upon himself to correct every societal ill with a long speech and a moral lesson.

What made the show funny wasn’t just the professor’s serious tone—it was the characters around him. They would commit all sorts of social “crimes” only for Professor Johnbull to step in, adjust his glasses, and unleash wisdom like a Nollywood Morgan Freeman. The comedy came from the contrast—misbehavior followed by righteous correction.

6. Jenifa’s Diary

No Nigerian comedy list is complete without Jenifa’s Diary. Created by the queen of comedy herself, Funke Akindele, this show gave us Jenifa—a small-town girl with big dreams, a strong accent, and a heart of gold.

What made Jenifa special wasn’t just her bad English or over-the-top makeup, it was her relentless optimism. No matter how many times Lagos chewed her up and spit her out, she bounced back. Whether she was trying to become a musician, a hairdresser, or a motivational speaker, she did it with style, sass, and side-splitting humor.

7. My Flatmates

If you’ve ever had a roommate who stole your indomie or refused to flush the toilet, you’ll appreciate My Flatmates. This modern sitcom led by Basketmouth is a comedy goldmine about the daily drama of grown men (and sometimes women) trying to live together in Lagos.

The jokes come at you fast—quarrels over rent, girlfriends showing up unannounced, and endless “how far my guy?” moments. The show captures the struggle of adulting in a big city, all wrapped in witty banter and comic timing.

8. The Johnsons

Welcome to the home of Nigeria’s most beloved fictional family—The Johnsons. Headed by the ever-confused Mr. Lucky Johnson (played by Charles Inojie), this sitcom blends family drama with sharp, side-splitting comedy.

With Chinedu Ikedieze as the mischievous Efe, and a cast full of colorful personalities, The Johnsons became the kind of show you could watch with your parents and still enjoy. It gave us a chance to laugh at our own family dynamics—without needing to get into real family fights.

9. Clinic Matters

Clinic Matters took everyday hospital scenarios and turned them into pure comedy. Imagine walking into a clinic and meeting a doctor who doesn’t know the difference between malaria and heartbreak. That was the vibe.

With hilarious characters like Dr. Titi, Nurse Abigail, and the countless ridiculous patients they encountered, Clinic Matters gave us workplace humor like no other. It reminded us that even in places of “seriousness,” there’s room for laughter.

10. House Apart

Now here’s one you might not immediately remember, but if you ever watched it, you’ll agree it deserves a spot. House Apart followed the lives of various tenants in a shared compound—a setting Nigerians know all too well.

From the loud neighbor who always blasted music during siesta, to the landlord who mysteriously appeared only when rent was due, House Apart nailed every nuance of compound living. It was relatable, hilarious, and filled with those “that’s exactly what my neighbor does!” moments.

Honorable Mentions

Look, narrowing this list to 10 wasn’t easy. There are so many shows that deserve a shoutout. From Super Story (especially the comedic episodes), to My Siblings and I, to classics like The Village Headmaster—the Nigerian comedy landscape is as rich as jollof on Christmas day.

Why These Shows Matter

Beyond the laughter, these shows have served as cultural archives. They’ve captured our dialects, our quirks, our frustrations, and our dreams. They’ve helped us laugh through political nonsense, economic hardships, and fuel scarcity. And they’ve united us—regardless of tribe or class—around our common love for a good joke.

Most importantly, they’ve launched the careers of some of Nigeria’s greatest actors and comedians. From Funke Akindele to Basketmouth to Charles Inojie—many of today’s stars got their break through these shows.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing Nigerians know how to do, it’s laugh. No matter what life throws at us, we’ll find a way to turn it into a joke. These comedy shows have not only entertained us, but they’ve also helped us process life—through exaggerated characters, ridiculous situations, and sharp humor.

So whether you’re watching an old episode of The New Masquerade or streaming the latest season of Jenifa’s Diary, take a moment to appreciate the genius behind the laughter.

And next time you find yourself frowning at NEPA or stuck in traffic, remember: there's probably a comedy show out there that already turned your pain into a punchline.

Which of these shows is your favorite? Or did we miss one that you absolutely loved? Let’s continue the laughter in the comments!