Documentary filmmaking is a powerful tool that captures real-life events and polishes them carefully for our screens. They can tackle or uncover certain topics and truths, addressing them from unique and diverse perspectives. They can also preserve and archive crucial stories or traditions, keeping them alive forever. 

If you have ever gotten curious about the history and tradition of certain Nigerian cultural practices, persons, or industries, we have curated this list of Nigerian documentaries available to stream.

Rainmakers

How convenient would it be if one could control the rain? In this documentary, Nìyí Akinmolayan, who is also credited as its director and producer, travels through Oyo, Edo and Ogun to meet with twenty special rainmakers who claim to possess the ability to control or command rain to do their will. 

Their supposed abilities, which are linked to gods like Sango, Agemo and Osun, will be put to the test against science. 

Rainmakers premiered this year and is available to stream on Prime Video. 

Finding Fela!

Finding Fela documents the life of the King of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, his music, his political thoughts and his activism. 

Directed by Alex Gibney, the 2014 documentary features interviews, as well as music and performances from the 2009 Broadway jukebox musical, Fela! 

Finding Fela is available to stream on Netflix. 

Netflix’s Afrobeats: The Back Story

Released in 2022, this 12-part documentary is another music-themed project that archives Afrobeat’s evolution and rise to fame. Director Ayo Shonaiya takes the Afrobeats story from the beginning, through the digital revolution until the present powerhouse it has since become. 

The documentary features Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo “D1” Adeneye, Paul “Play” Dairo, Tiwa Savage and Banky W. 

Afrobeats: The Back Story is available for streaming on Netflix. 

Where The Heck Is My Period? 

This documentary takes on the topic of the female hormonal disorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 11 Nigerian women, from different parts of the country, living with PCOS are interviewed on their personal experiences with the syndrome. It also features opinions from several medical specialists. 

Produced by Stephanie Coker and directed by Michael ‘AMA Psalmist’ Akinrogunde, Where The Heck Is My Period is available on Prime Video. 

Freemen

Freemen documents the Igbo apprenticeship system or Igba Boi, a paramount practice for the Eastern people of Nigeria. The seven-part docu-series features prominent successful businessmen like Dr Anne Okeke, Coscharis, Obi Cubana and Ndubuisi Ekekwe, who share their various personal experiences with the apprenticeship system. 

Daro Umaigba is credited as Freemen’s director and co-producer, with iLLBLISS as a co-producer. 

Freemen is available to stream on Showmax. 

Super Eagles ‘96

In 1996, the Super Eagles of Nigeria overcame cultural differences, political crisis and instability to win gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games. With the 4-2 victory against Argentina, Nigeria became the first African team to achieve such a feat. 

Super Eagles ‘96 chronicles this historic era and the preceding strides of the team. 

Super Eagles ‘96 is available on Prime Video. 

Innovating Africa Documentary: The Rise of Tech in Nigeria

Over the years, the Nigerian tech world has experienced very accelerated growth. This 2023 documentary features interviews with some of Nigeria’s tech trailblazers and a deep dive into the growth and workings of the booming industry. 

Innovating Africa Documentary is available on YouTube. 

For The Love of Dance

This documentary sheds light on the dance scene, especially the development of Nigeria’s. The 2020 release features some of the country’s experienced dancers and answers the questions about the worth or reward of pursuing the art, and the problems the art faces in Nigeria. 

For The Love of Dance is available to stream on Prime Video. 

Take Light 

Directed by Shasha Nakhai, Take Light explores the electricity phenomenon in Nigeria. The poor electricity state of Nigeria, despite the country’s resources and the government’s nonchalance, often forces citizens to take matters into their own hands. The documentary was released in 2018 and addresses the situation from the perspective of a Nigerian electrician. 

Take Light is available to stream on Prime Video. 

Death to Thirty

Death to Thirty is a documentary that highlights the unique experiences and challenges the societal narratives surrounding women and the age of 30.

Directed by Ore Badmus and produced by Oluwatunmise Oluyede (also credited as the writer), the film takes a unique data-driven approach to the subject by weaving together the lived experiences of diverse women, ranging from their early 20s to late 30s, with qualitative interviews and a survey of 119 women. 
Death to Thirty is available to stream on YouTube.

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