Doctor Who fans across Nigeria are buzzing with excitement as the TARDIS officially lands in Lagos for the first time in the show’s six-decade history. The upcoming episode, airing this Saturday, marks a historic moment—not only for the iconic British sci-fi series but also for African representation on global television.
Longtime fan Adesoji Kukoyi, a 44-year-old Nigerian doctor, described the moment he saw the episode preview as electrifying. “I screamed like a little girl,” he told the BBC. Kukoyi, who has adored Doctor Who since the 1980s, says the show has always felt personal, likening the Doctor to a teacher guiding people toward hope and redemption.
A Groundbreaking Setting for a Time-Traveling Hero
This episode will be the first primarily set in Africa, spotlighting Lagos—Nigeria’s bustling megacity of culture, commerce, and chaos. The episode features vibrant market scenes, a mystical barber shop, and even teases a monstrous spider that some speculate is a reimagining of the folklore character Anansi, a mythical West African trickster.
Ariyon Bakare, who plays the mysterious “Barber,” calls the episode a “time-bending cultural ancestral collision” filled with style and surprises. The script, written by Inua Ellams, blends authentic Nigerian storytelling with the high-concept fantasy of the Whoniverse.
Why Nigeria?
The choice of Nigeria is both symbolic and sentimental. In 2013, nine lost episodes from the 1960s were discovered in a Nigerian TV archive, reigniting global interest in the classic era of the show. Now, Lagos becomes more than a footnote in the series’ history—it’s the central stage.
Ellams, a Nigerian-born poet and playwright, explains that actor Ncuti Gatwa’s African heritage opened the door for authentic narratives: “Every Doctor creates new opportunities to tell new stories in different ways,” he said.
A Show That Still Resonates
Though the show is no longer available on Nigerian public television, die-hard fans like Kukoyi ensure the legacy lives on. “I’m waiting with bated breath,” he said. “Finally, he is coming!”
Kukoyi’s nostalgia is rooted in his childhood hero: the scarf-wearing Tom Baker. While his young daughters have yet to catch the Whovian bug, he’s hopeful the Lagos episode will inspire a new generation—especially with the Doctor donning traditional attire and navigating the energy of a Lagos market.
Looking Forward
This episode marks a powerful step toward inclusion and global storytelling. By anchoring the Doctor in African myth, rhythm, and community, Doctor Who is proving once again why it remains timeless—and timely.
Want to explore more cultural intersections in science fiction? Check out our article on Top African-Inspired Sci-Fi Films and Shows.
Doctor Who’s Lagos episode premieres this Saturday and will be available on Disney Plus for Nigerian viewers.
