The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is making a calculated comeback, and it is reaching into the past to chart the future to re-establish itself as a national hub for premium storytelling. In a bold move announced in March 2025, the state broadcaster revealed a sweeping collaboration with Nollywood producers and filmmakers aimed at reviving classic formats while also developing fresh content that reflects Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)  In a bid to reclaim its legacy as the cradle of Nigerian screen storytelling, NTA has launched a major initiative to revive some of its most iconic television formats. This includes plans to remake fan favourites like Cock Crow at Dawn and Basi & Company, with fresh creative energy from the Nollywood ecosystem.

Earlier this year, NTA hosted a private interactive session in Abuja with a handpicked group of Nollywood producers. The goal was to present the Authority’s vision and explore ways to build a sustainable platform for bold, culturally resonant Nigerian stories. In attendance were respected filmmakers including Joke Silva, Adeniji Adedeji, Daniel Ademinokan, and other notable producers from across the industry. The session created space for open dialogue between the creatives and the NTA management, including the Director General and Tari Taylaur, NTA’s Executive Director of Programmes.

Taylaur, a filmmaker and public broadcast advocate, presented NTA’s revitalisation strategy, which includes reestablishing the platform as a national destination for premium scripted content that speaks to Nigeria’s diversity and strength.

“We are opening up our platform to creatives who align with our mission to reflect the best of who we are as Nigerians,”

she said.

A Legacy Reborn

NTA, once the creative powerhouse behind legendary series like Cock Crow at Dawn, Village Headmaster, Checkmate, and Basi & Company, is tapping into its legacy to fuel the future. These shows were defining pillars of Nigerian television in the 70s through the 90s acclaimed for their storytelling, cultural grounding, and enduring characters.

The meeting covered both legacy formats and new ideas. Chief among them is the planned return of Cock Crow at Dawn, the seminal 1980s series originally written by legendary broadcaster Peter Igho and directed by Matt Dadzie. In a unique cross-generational collaboration, the remake is expected to be led by Igho’s son, Tosin Igho, a modern filmmaker known for titles like Seven, Nneka The Pretty Serpent, and The Trade. The partnership symbolises what this reboot is about. Passing the torch while keeping the flame true.

“We’re not just looking back,” Taylaur stated. “We’re using our legacy as a launchpad to inspire new formats that resonate with today’s audiences while staying rooted in who we are.”

The First Project: Temi & The Labalaba Band

One of the first major fruits of this strategy is Temi & The Labalaba Band, a 13-episode musical family drama produced by Anthill Studios, helmed by filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan. The series, which premiered on NTA Network Service on April 19, 2025, is set in a Nigerian university and follows a spirited young girl and her bandmates as they navigate music, friendship, and growing up.

At the series launch, Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, described the show as “a cultural milestone” and a move toward building African-themed children’s content that competes globally. Niyi Akinmolayan, founder of Anthill Studios and executive producer of the show, added that the vision is to give Nigerian children stories that reflect their world with beauty, ambition, and joy.

Akinmolayan, speaking on behalf of Anthill, said the studio is committed to reshaping children’s and family entertainment in Nigeria.

“We want to create stories that build confidence, spark curiosity, and foster a sense of pride in our culture,”

he said.

Industry Response and Broader Impact

The broader agenda is to reposition NTA as a credible creative partner within Nollywood, not just a broadcaster but a builder of narratives. With over 80 million viewers in its network and infrastructure across the country, NTA is uniquely placed to give Nigerian stories the reach and resonance they deserve.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed NTA’s return to active storytelling. Veteran producer and TV critic Chris Ihidero described the move as “a step in the right direction,” noting that Nigeria’s TV culture, once nurtured by NTA, must be revived to sustain the broader Nollywood ecosystem.

With a nationwide reach and infrastructure that connects to over 80 million viewers, NTA is uniquely positioned to amplify stories that matter. The Authority has called on filmmakers, writers, and producers to submit short films, documentaries, series, and features that speak to Nigerian realities and aspirations.

What’s Next?

Beyond Temi & The Labalaba Band, insiders hint at more remakes and original formats in development, including modern reinterpretations of Cock Crow at Dawn and Basi & Company. The vision is to blend the richness of Nigeria’s past with the energy of its creative present offering content that is nostalgic, fresh, and unapologetically Nigerian.

In a media landscape flooded with foreign content, NTA’s repositioning marks a renewed commitment to homegrown storytelling. The Authority isn’t just broadcasting. It’s building bridges between generations, between cultures, and between Nigeria’s past and future on screen.

What is clear is that the conversation has begun. NTA is reaching out. Nollywood is responding. And something is shifting. If done right, this could be the beginning of a new chapter for both the Authority and the Nigerian film and television industry as a whole.