Papa Benji (Web Series)

Papa Benji is a Nigerian comedy web series that provides a humorous and relatable look into the life of its titular character, Papa Benji, an industrious Igbo man who owns a popular local pepper soup joint.

The show’s main setting is the pepper soup joint, which serves as a nexus for a diverse and eccentric collection of customers, staff, and family members. The comedy is drawn from the daily interactions, hilarious arguments, and dramatic escapades that occur within this social hub, offering a satirical reflection of everyday life and local Nigerian culture.

Plot and Characters #

The series centres on the Egwuonwu family and their business.

• Papa Benji (Benjamin Egwuonwu): The owner of the joint, who finally achieved his dream of setting up the business using his late father’s secret recipes. He often finds himself caught between his staff, customers, and domestic troubles.
• Mama Benji (Mrs Egwuonwu): Papa Benji’s wife, a sometimes overzealous, spiritual woman who owns a struggling fashion design shop nearby and frequently gossips with her friends.
• Benjamin Jr. (Benji Jnr): Papa Benji’s son, an aspiring musician often referred to as a “Marlian,” whose musical talents are sometimes questionable.
• Mr Jiminus and Papa Solo: Two pension-earning regular customers whose comical, often long-winded arguments drive many of the episodes’ subplots.
• Mr Pius: Another regular customer, famous for his opportunism, as he often supports whichever argument or character is offering to buy him a drink.

The series is characterised by its use of Nigerian Pidgin and various local accents, blending slapstick humour with witty, observational dialogue.

Soundtrack #

A notable feature of the series is its official soundtrack album, Yabasi (meaning “Onions” in Igbo), which was released by the creator, Basketmouth, in November 2020. The album is a collaborative music project that blends Highlife and Hip-hop, featuring appearances from major Nigerian artists such as Flavour, Phyno, Ladipoe, and The Cavemen. The release of a high-quality, standalone album as a soundtrack was an innovative cross-media marketing strategy for the web series.

Release and Reception #

Papa Benji premiered with its first season in December 2020 on Basketmouth’s official YouTube channel, making it a “free-to-watch” digital comedy series. The show quickly gained popularity due to its relatable characters and the star-studded ensemble cast, which featured many prominent Nigerian comedians and entertainers. Its success led to subsequent seasons, with brands like Ecobank Nigeria partnering as sponsors to promote the show and the wider African entertainment industry.