Africa’s foremost Nollywood production company, Anthill Studios, has unveiled a family sitcom, Temi & The Labalaba Band (TATLB).

The series has been endorsed by celebrities and stakeholders, including notable Nollywood stars, media personalities, and industry regulators.

Federal Government, through Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, has recognised the show as an important advancement in arts and culture, supporting the country’s vision of becoming Africa’s cultural, and entertainment capital.

TATLB narrates the musical story of Temi, Barry, Rasak, Mina and Boniface. Their band, set up by 12-year-old Temi with her friends, aims to boost patronage of her grandmother’s restaurant as a drop in sales and the threat of eviction by the landlord hung over the business.

Mama B’s restaurant is a middle-class establishment in the heart of Lagos, serving mostly traditional meals. It also serves as a relaxation spot where locals gather to watch football and fraternise. It is the place for everyone to drop by for a taste of Nigerian delicacies. It will be sad for such a community watering hole to close shop.

Rather than consign themselves to a gloomy fate, the band becomes a pleasant supplement to bolster the restaurant with music and dance, in addition to food and bonding.

The show, comprising 13 episodes with 27 minutes per episode, will be available on terrestrial and cable stations, as well as streaming platforms. The series is delivered in English, French, and Portuguese.

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr. Shaibu Hussein, described the sitcom as a creation to bolster interest in Africa-focused children’s videos while nurturing future film leaders.

Despite its intervention to rescue a flailing business, the story also showcases African culture, friendship, family, and education, said Anthill Studios founder, Niyi Akinmolayan.

He said the film highlights struggles parents face in raising families and how children’s love and support can overcome challenges and strengthen family bonds.

TATLB, he added, is an wholesome substitute to non-African shows, a sort of future Disney for Africa. It is the first of sitcoms from Anthill Family stable.

, a platform dedicated to children’s programming.

“Largely ignored by the industry and country at large, children’s programming needs to be revived and prioritized to offer wholesome and exciting content that enriches the minds of the younger generations,” Akinmolayan said, adding that such content does not only entertain but also inspires, empowers, and ignites curiosity in children.

He further stated that TATLB is part of a mission by Anthill Studios, through its arm, Anthill Family, to reshape the landscape of children’s and family cinema, by reminding parents of the transformative power of experiences that awaken their children’s curiosity and ignite their sense of adventure and leadership.

“With Temi & The Labalaba Band, we promise you laughter, tears, and enlightenment, and most importantly, a renewed sense of family bonding and empowerment,” the Anthill Studios boss said.

In her comments, Temi Ajamolaya, who plays the band leader, said she was motivated by a desire to become a child actor and singer in the future. The mission to rescue her character’s grandma’s restaurant, she added, was particularly touching as it symbolized what is attainable with family affection and hope.