Podcasting in Nigeria has been on a steady rise for about a decade, and it particularly reached a climax around 2017 following the emergence of a couple of relatable podcasts that commanded high listenership and largely positive social commentaries. Among these early-day podcasts that laid the groundwork is the very popular I Said What I Said (ISWIS) — a laid-back pod on the African millennial experience, co-hosted by Feyikemi Abudu and Jola Ayeye.

Others include So Nigerian, The HonestBunch, Koinonia, Tea With Tay Podcast. These shows helped push podcasting into Nigeria’s media mainstream, where the medium now thrives in both audio and video formats, spanning diverse themes and disciplines.

The barrier to entry was straight; anyone with a mic and something to say could launch a podcast. This led to great diversity, but it also meant that soon, everyone had a podcast. Celebrities, influencers, random guys in their living rooms, the market is currently saturated with low-effort, poorly produced, and often redundant content. Hence, the largely positive reviews of podcasts have begun to sour. The wave of low-quality podcasts became so widespread that it sparked a tongue-in-cheek plea for government regulation, supposedly to save the public from the endless stream of hot takes that weren’t always well-informed, nuanced or thoughtful. Even so, some convincing arguments deemed the so-called epidemic to be nothing more than an exaggerated alarm.

But despite the mixed reputation of the Nigerian podcast scene, there’s no denying that several podcasts in the country are above the clutter, offering real substance. These are podcasts that are proof of the medium’s promise as one of the pillars of modern media.

Here are some of those podcasts across different areas of interest.

The Republic 

 

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In-depth, factual, and unbiased. The Republic Podcast is a rare voice that brings clarity to Nigeria’s history and politics. Launched in June 2023, the podcast is an extension of The Republic, a cultural, political, and socio-economic magazine that explores the nuances of Africa.

The podcast features a series of episodes that shed light on some of Nigeria’s past leaders and key events that are largely responsible for the current course of the country. The Republic Podcast is hosted by founder and Editor-in-Chief Wale Lawal and is available for listening on audio-streaming platforms.

Afrobeats Intelligence

Afrobeats Intelligence is the brainchild of multi-award-winning journalist Joey Akan. It was initially a newsletter centred on African music and the industry’s evolution before it was upgraded into a video and audio podcast in 2020.

With over a decade of experience as a journalist, broadcaster, A&R, and media consultant, Joey hosts Afrobeats Intelligence, sharing informed insights and expansive interviews that provide deep perspectives on the African music industry.

Uncooked Women

 

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The complementary duo of Adaorah Oduah, a food enthusiast, and Olamide Oladoyin, a hospitality entrepreneur, is the perfect recipe for everything the Uncooked Women podcast stands for.

The podcast focuses on West African cuisine while weaving in discussions on history, entertainment, politics, and pop culture, often treated with relevant personal experiences from the hosts or their guests.

Produced by Afrocentric media company Culture Custodian, Uncooked Women is available on major digital streaming platforms (DSPs).

Founders Connect

 

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One of the surest routes to making a distinct mark in any discipline is by learning from the experiences of those who’ve already succeeded. This is precisely what Founders Connect offers. Launched in 2022, the podcast provides a platform for founders and entrepreneurs to document their journeys, share their stories, and discuss the ideologies pivotal to their success.

The podcast is hosted by Peace Itimi, a multifaceted creator, and is available on major DSPs and her YouTube channel. 

Afrobility

 

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Hosted by Olumide Ogunsanwo, an investor and finance consultant, and Bankole Makanju, Meta’s Product Manager, Afrobility is a gateway into the business of African tech companies.

The podcast explores tech companies’ business models, their distinct offerings, and their impact on consumers across the continent.

Health Focus Nigeria

Hosted by Katherine Adunola Abimbola, a veteran journalist and communication strategist, Health Focus Nigeria helps bridge the healthcare divide in the country by improving health literacy through discussions with health practitioners on topical health issues. The podcast is exclusively aired on Spotify.

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