The Story⚡
Nostalgia meets modernity as Nigeria’s beloved 1980s TV drama ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ crows back to life, with NTA sealing a groundbreaking deal to reboot the agricultural epic for a new generation hungry for wholesome storytelling.
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The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), alongside Natives Filmworks and Innovative Television Kontent (ITK), has officially signed an exclusive co-production agreement to remake the classic series ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’, with the reboot slated to premiere in primetime on NTA in 2026. The deal was finalized on October 2, 2025, and announced during NTA’s 9 PM Network News, marking the first in a series of planned revivals from NTA’s archives.
This collaboration brings together award-winning filmmaker Steve Gukas of Natives Filmworks—known for hits like ’93 Days’ and ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’—and Dimbo Atiya of ITK, whose credits include ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ and ‘Halita’. NTA’s Director-General Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos and Executive Director of Programmes Tari Taylaur are also key figures, emphasizing the project’s alignment with the federal government’s renewed focus on agriculture.
The original ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ premiered in April 1980 on NTA, running for 104 episodes as an edutainment serial designed to promote farming under President Shehu Shagari’s Green Revolution initiative. Financed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and produced by NTA, it was created by Grace Egbagbe, written and produced by Peter Igho, and directed by Matt Dadzie, with a memorable theme song by Bongos Ikwue.
The series follows Bello, a Lagos businessman played by George Menta, who relocates his family to a rural village to pursue large-scale farming, facing challenges like cultural clashes, family dynamics, and agricultural hurdles while promoting themes of rural development, integrity, and nation-building. Standout cast members included Ene Oloja as Bello’s wife Zemaye, Sadiq Daba as their son Bitrus, Tola Awobode as their daughter Lare, and Karim Yero as Uncle Gaga, many of whom became household names and influenced Nollywood’s early stars. Filmed in Sabon Garin Tarria near Jos, it blended soap opera drama with docudrama elements to encourage mechanized agriculture among urban audiences, though some critics viewed it as government propaganda.
For the remake, pre-production kicks off this month with a writers’ room and story workshop, followed by filming in Jos, Plateau State, starting in the second quarter of 2026. The new version will span 104 episodes, preserving the original’s core themes while incorporating contemporary issues like climate change, youth migration, and social transformation to resonate with modern viewers.
It promises high production standards, blending veteran and emerging talent for family-oriented content, and aims for both local airing on NTA’s network and international distribution. As Steve Gukas noted, “We’re incredibly proud to partner with NTA on this national treasure. It’s a wonderful chance to show how far the industry has come since the 1980s.” Dimbo Atiya echoed this enthusiasm, calling it “a national assignment and an opportunity to raise the bar in TV production.” At the same time, NTA’s Dembos highlighted its timely tie to current agricultural pushes, saying, “The timing couldn’t be better.”
Key Backgrounds
Behind the revival of ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ are seasoned professionals whose expertise spans Nigerian television, film, and broadcasting. Here’s a closer look at the key figures driving this project:
Steve Gukas (Natives Filmworks): As the founder and MD/CEO of Natives Filmworks since 2004, Steve Gukas is a veteran Nigerian filmmaker born in Kerang, Plateau State, with a career rooted in addressing societal issues through cinema. He trained at the NTA Television College in Jos and holds a diploma in TV production, building experience across television, theatre, advertising, and film. Gukas is renowned for directing impactful films like ’93 Days’ (2016), which dramatized Nigeria’s Ebola response, and ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’, earning acclaim for blending entertainment with social commentary. A mentor to emerging directors, he emphasizes global standards in Nollywood and has served on juries for industry awards, positioning him ideally to modernize classics like this remake.
Dimbo Atiya (Innovative Television Kontent – ITK): Hailing from Nasarawa State and based in Jos, Dimbo Atiya is an award-winning film and TV creator, writer, producer, and director who founded ITK to produce family-oriented content celebrating northern Nigerian culture in contemporary narratives. He studied at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and the National Film Institute in Jos, and is also the founder of The Entertainment School Lagos and JOSTIFIED, a platform for northern storytelling. Atiya gained prominence with series like ‘Sons of the Caliphate’, ‘Halita’, ‘Wrath and Revenge (W.A.R.)’, and ‘The Rishantes’, blending drama with cultural authenticity to appeal to diverse audiences. His work as a photographer and educator further enriches his approach, making him a vital collaborator for updating ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ with modern relevance.
In Summary
This remake not only revives a cultural phenomenon that shaped Nigerian TV, introducing stars like Sadiq Daba and Ene Oloja while promoting farming to millions, but also bridges generations, with the original’s 104 episodes mirroring the reboot’s scale and filming returning to Jos for authentic rural vibes.
Expect a fresh take on timeless values, potentially sparking renewed interest in agriculture amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic shifts, and marking a milestone for local content in an era dominated by streaming giants.
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