Remember when nobody stared at a phone during dinner? Before smartphones, tablets and cable TV spread, one TV ruled the house. Terrestrial stations brought the news, and they brought the laughs too with daily runs of hilarious sitcoms. Neighbours crowded into one sitting room. Kids sat on the floor. Everyone knew the day, the time and the station. Miss an episode and you live with regret for a week.

From the late 1990s through the 2000s, these weekly sitcoms became family time and highlights of our evenings. Grandparents, parents and children laughed together, then quoted the jokes at school and work the next day. Some shows have ended. Others faded. All of them still make people smile when their names and, often memorable, theme songs come up.

Then cable TV went mainstream. DStv, GOtv and StarTimes filled more living rooms through the 2010s, and YouTube joined the party. While terrestrial TV lost its grip, the laughs kept coming, and this new era gave us a few gems of its own.

Ready to rewind? Here are ten sitcoms worth another look in 2026.

1. Papa Ajasco (1996-present)

Papa Ajasco follows a chaotic family led by a womanising patriarch. Wale Adenuga’s slapstick hit turned everyday Nigerian problems into pure mayhem. Mama Ajasco suffered, Bobo (and his signature pointed cap) caused trouble, and playboy Boy Alinco strutted with his famous moves. Miss Pepeiye chased money while Pa James stumbled through every scheme. Add the head-slapping “Ojigbijigbi,” and you had a catchphrase for life. Papa Ajasco also boasts a catchy theme song that included “Nigeria’s number one,” which was no empty boast. While Papa Ajasco’s popularity may have dwindled in recent years as it tries to adapt to the times, it will always be remembered as one of the greatest series in Nigeria’s TV history. 

2. Fuji House of Commotion (2001-2010)

Fuji House of Commotion, Amaka Igwe’s spin-off from ‘90s soap opera, Checkmate, unpacks life in a polygamous home. Chief Fuji rules a house of four wives (Peace, Ireti, Mama Moji, and Caro) and a small army of children, and peace never lasts. The wives compete for the Chief’s attention. The kids cause trouble of their own, once locking their parents out during a strike. There are so many of them that they stay in a long line to take their bath every morning and their father needs a family census to confirm their number. Chief Fuji (Kunle Bamtefa), Peace (Ngozi Nwosu), Ireti (Sola Onayiga and Louisa Onu), Caro (Ireti Doyle) and Toun Oni (Mama Moji) made every argument a delight. The very revealing theme song prepared you for all the commotion.  

3. Face 2 Face (2000-present)

When you hear Face 2 Face, what first comes to mind is its memorable and sweet theme song: “Face 2 Face is another way of life for this country…” This iconic sitcom drops us into a crowded “face-me-I-face-you” compound. Neighbours share walls and, of course, gossip. Fights start over nothing, alliances change by the hour, and everyone knows everyone’s business. It ran from 2000 to 2005, and earned its place among the shows that shaped a generation. Few shows captured the noise, chaos and warmth of Nigerian compound life so well. The show was recently rebooted, featuring skit makers such as Mr Macaroni and Broda Shagging, after the original show ended in 2005.

4. Clinic Matters (2009-2013)

Clinic Matters takes us inside a busy clinic where patients, nurses and one doctor collide. Paul Igwe’s comedy ran from 2009 to 2013. Nurse Titi, Nurse Abigail and the rest gossiped, teased and tangled in misunderstandings. Mary Ogbonna’s Biliki became a favourite, kneeling halfway after every sentence. Mr Okafor’s creepy crush on Nurse Titi added more laughs. It even picked up awards, proving comedy could be good medicine.

5. Jenifa’s Diary (2015-present)

Jenifa’s Diary follows a village girl chasing her dreams in Lagos. Funke Akindele’s Jenifa arrived in 2015 on AIT after her hit 2008 film, and Nigerians quickly fell for her. Her mangled English, big confidence and bigger dreams made every episode a riot. Falz’s Segun, Juliana Olayode’s Toyosi, Lota Chukwu’s Kiki, Lolo1’s long throat Adaku, and Ogbolor’s James gave her plenty to bounce off. From hostel living to life in the hairdresser’s shop and the gossip that comes with it, Jennifa’s Diary has delivered it all. 

6. Extended Family (2007-2008)

Extended Family revolves around a stern father, nicknamed “The General,” who wants successful, well-behaved kids. Then his two relatives arrive. Bovi, who also wrote and produced the show, played the notorious nephew, Onoriode, who kept wrecking every lesson with get-rich-quick schemes and mischievous habits. Onoriode never tired of tormenting his cousin, Emabong, and putting everyone in trouble with the General who loves his belt. The cast also included Tina Mba as General’s wife with Paul Igwe steering the 39 episodes. It launched Bovi into the limelight in 2007.

7. The Johnsons (2012-2024)

The Johnsons follows an average Lagos family and its everyday struggles. Charles Inojie’s Lucky was the penny-pinching father who loved big words, while Ada Ameh’s Emu mangled English and got corrected by everyone. Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Susan Pwajok, and Seun Adebajo played the kids, with Bamtefa as Pablo. It ran for 13 years on Africa Magic, won the AMVCA for Best Original Comedy Series in 2023, and ended in 2024.

8. My Mum and I (2008-unknown)

My Mum and I centres on Lillian Wright and her mischievous teenage daughter, Joyce, under one roof. Ufuoma McDermott played the mum, and Aramide Okegbenro played Joyce. Their clashes, misunderstandings and mother-daughter drama played out on AIT and triggered bouts of laughter. Any family with a teenager could relate. For its brilliant production, My Mum and I won several awards at the Terracotta Television and Film Awards, including best director, best editor, and best cinematographer. 

9. House Apart (2004-unknown)

Created by friends Hafiz Oyetoro, Gbenga Windapo, and Gregory Odutayo, House Apart is the show that earned Oyetoro his famous “Saka” nickname that he still carries today. The show revolves around Oyetoro’s Saka and his compound mates Chukwuma (tenant), Sule (tenant), and ETT (Baba Landlord played by Dele Odule). The tenants tormented one another, while frustrating the strict Baba Landlord with their unending chaos. A large audience fell in love with House Apart, making it the second most-watched comedy after Papa Ajasco. 

10. Squatterz (2012-present) 

Squatterz follows three young men squatting in a friend’s apartment. Buchi (Funnybone), Papa (Big Tony) and Danjuma (Zikky Alloy) move in, and the chaos begins. Femi Amusan plays Sege, the friend whose home becomes their playground. For everyone who has squatted people who sometimes forget that they are not the ones paying the rent, watching Squatterz is reliving their wild experiences. It premiered in April 2012 and has run for six seasons with Season 7 said to be on the way.