Adesoji Kukoyi vividly recalls his childhood moments in 1980s Nigeria, where the captivating melody of the iconic Doctor Who theme would instantly halt any activity. Mimicking the familiar sounds, he reminisces,
“‘oooh-oooh-oooooh’ – I dropped everything and ran straight to the television.”
Growing up in a time when British TV shows like Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers were commonly broadcasted due to Nigeria’s colonial past, nothing entranced Mr. Kukoyi quite like the adventures of the time-traveling Doctor.
“He always spoke to me,”
shares Mr. Kukoyi, now 44 years old and still displaying his admiration for Doctor Who by setting its vintage theme as his phone ringtone.
“Like there’s somebody watching out for us…yes, we make mistakes, but we do our best, especially if we have a teacher that will lead us on the right path.”
For decades, Mr. Kukoyi has remained a fervent follower of Doctor Who. So when news broke that an upcoming episode would be set in Nigeria for the first time ever, his excitement knew no bounds.
“I was watching last week’s episode with my wife and the preview [for the following week] said: ‘Welcome to Lagos, Nigeria’. I screamed like a little girl!”
he exclaims gleefully.
This landmark setting holds immense significance not only for Mr. Kukoyi—a proud native of Lagos—but also for the show itself. The forthcoming adventure will mark Doctor Who’s first main storyline located in Africa.
The decision to showcase Nigeria in this groundbreaking episode is poignant; it pays homage to a previous discovery where nine lost episodes from the 1960s were found in a Nigerian TV facility much to fans’ delight back in 2013.
Ariyon Bakare teases viewers about what they can expect from this culturally rich narrative—a
“time-bending cultural ancestral collision”
filled with hair-centric elements among other surprises like a bustling Lagos market and an imposing spider-like creature that intrigues fans.
Speculations swirl around this arachnid character possibly being Anansi—an iconic figure from West African and Caribbean folklore—although scriptwriter Inua Ellams remains tight-lipped about specific details.
Delving deeper into why Nigerians resonate so profoundly with Doctor Who, Ellams reflects on shared traits between Nigerians’ vivacity and the enigmatic nature of the titular character:
“There’s something Nigerian about the Doctor…mysterious, boisterous…somehow manages to save the day.”
Ellams further muses on why Africa has been underrepresented during Doctor Who’s extensive run spanning over six decades. He ponders whether writers may have shied away from authentically portraying African narratives or if it stems from the Doctor’s necessity to blend into various environments inconspicuously.
With Ncuti Gatwa playing a pivotal role as an actor of African descent within this new storyline, Ellams emphasizes how diversity adds fresh perspectives enabling storytelling evolution within the series.
Despite changes impacting accessibility due to Doctor Who no longer airing on Nigerian public TV—requiring enthusiasts within Nigeria to seek out platforms such as Disney Plus—the dedicated fanbase led by individuals like Mr. Kukoyi eagerly anticipates witnessing their beloved Tardis materialize in Lagos once more.
As Saturday approaches with heightened anticipation for this unprecedented chapter set against vibrant Nigerian backdrops echoing local legends and traditions alike—it seems that both long-time aficionados and newcomers alike are poised for an enthralling encounter with their favorite time-traveler.
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