TMPL Motion Pictures, the production arm of The Temple Company, has announced the debut of a new television series titled Japada, set to premiere nationwide on Friday, October 3. The show focuses on the inspiring stories of Nigerians who, after years of living abroad, decided to return home and channel their experiences into building lives and careers in their home country.
According to the producers, Japada aims to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and cultural pride of returnees at a time Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of brain drain and economic pressures driving mass migration. The series is anchored by popular media personality Mimi Onalaja, who also brings her background as an actor and brand influencer to the role of host.
The broadcast schedule places the show in prime viewing slots across major networks, including Fridays on NTA 2 Lagos from 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Sundays on TVC News from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, and Mondays on NTA Network from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Each episode will showcase the journeys of featured guests as they recount their struggles and victories while highlighting how their international exposure has translated into contributions to Nigeria’s growth. A recurring segment titled “Nigerian by Design” will also give audiences an interactive game element.
The guest lineup cuts across different sectors such as healthcare, entrepreneurship, technology, arts, and social advocacy. Notable figures include Kofo Ogunyakin and Yemi Johnson, who returned from the United Kingdom and the United States to co-found First Cardiology Consultants, one of the country’s leading facilities for heart care. Viewers will also see Nollywood stars Shaffy Bello and Osas Ighodaro share personal reflections on leaving behind prospects abroad in pursuit of successful acting careers in Nigeria.
Kolawole Fashola, supervising producer of the show, described Japada as both a creative breakthrough and a patriotic responsibility. He noted that the project was approached as a “national assignment” designed to encourage dialogue about nation-building, especially among young Nigerians. He added that the team hopes the series will ignite optimism and inspire collective efforts toward building a stronger and more prosperous country.
