The Federal Government has endorsed the family sitcom Temi & The Labalaba Band, produced by Anthill Studios, to promote African culture and support Nigeria’s growing entertainment sector.
The announcement was made in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Monday, recognising the series as an important step in advancing Nigerian arts and culture.
The show, which has rapidly gained popularity on YouTube and across various media platforms, has already garnered support from prominent Nigerian celebrities, media personalities, and industry stakeholders.
The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy also highlighted the series as a key element in the nation’s drive to become Africa’s cultural and entertainment capital.
TATLB tells the musical story of a young girl, Temi, and her friends, Barry, Rasak, Mina, and Boniface, who form a band to help save Temi’s grandmother’s restaurant from financial collapse.
Faced with dwindling sales and the threat of eviction, the band plays music and brings new life to Mama B’s restaurant, a popular community hub in Lagos serving traditional Nigerian meals.
The sitcom is produced in 13 episodes, each lasting 27 minutes, and is currently streaming on YouTube. It will also be available on terrestrial and cable television, as well as on popular platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. The series is available in three languages: English, French, and Portuguese.
Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Hussein, praised the series as a significant contribution to African children’s television.
He noted that TATLB is helping to foster a greater interest in locally produced children’s programming while nurturing the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers.
The Founder of Anthill Studios and the director of TATLB, Niyi Akinmolayan described the series as a “wholesome substitute” to non-African shows and a step toward creating a future “Disney for Africa.
Akinmolayan emphasized that TATLB highlights the importance of family, education, and friendship while showcasing the unique aspects of African culture.
“Children’s programming has largely been overlooked in Africa, but it’s vital that we prioritize content that both entertains and educates the younger generation,” Akinmolayan said.
He added that TATLB was created to inspire, empower, and ignite curiosity in children, with a particular focus on teaching them the value of family bonds and community.
Akinmolayan also emphasised that the project forms part of Anthill Studios’ broader mission, through its arm Anthill Family, to reshape the landscape of children’s and family cinema in Africa.
He said, “With Temi & The Labalaba Band, we promise you laughter, tears, and enlightenment, and most importantly, a renewed sense of family bonding and empowerment.”
Temi Ajamolaya, the young actress who plays the lead role of Temi, shared her excitement about being part of the project. She expressed a personal connection to the storyline, saying she was motivated by her desire to become a child actor and singer.
“The mission to rescue my character’s grandma’s restaurant is particularly touching to me as it symbolizes what is possible with family affection and hope,” she said.
