‘Japada,’ TV Show celebrating Nigerian returnees berths

TMPL Motion Pictures, a subsidiary of The Temple Company, has announced the launch of ‘Japada’, a new television show dedicated to celebrating the inspiring journeys of Nigerians who have returned home after years of living abroad.

Hosted by media personality and actress Mimi Onalaja, Japada premieres on Friday, October 3, 2025, with the aim of spotlighting the achievements of returnees while sparking conversations about national pride, brain drain, and the economic impacts of mass migration.

Show details

The programme will air weekly across multiple platforms:

• Fridays – NTA 2 Lagos, 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Sundays – TVC News, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Mondays – NTA Network, 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Each episode will highlight how returnees use their international exposure to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, arts, and social advocacy sectors.

Notable guests

The guest lineup features professionals and creatives who left promising careers abroad to pursue opportunities in Nigeria:

• Kofo Ogunyakin and Yemi Johnson – co-founders of First Cardiology Consultants, Nigeria’s leading heart care facility, after returning from the UK and US.
• Shaffy Bello and Osas Ighodaro – Nollywood stars who shared their journeys of leaving international opportunities to establish themselves in Nigeria’s film industry.

A project of national importance

Supervising producer Kolawole Fashola described Japada as more than entertainment, but a tool for inspiring optimism and collective nation-building.

“The production of the TV show was essential, and the story was eagerly awaiting its telling. We at The Temple Company and TMPL Motion Pictures took on this project as a national assignment to spark conversations about nation-building, especially among young people.”