When we were young, I remember how we always looked forward to commercial breaks during TV shows so we could rewatch and sing the jingles in our favorite adverts and also imagine being on TV like the kids in the adverts.
Going back to watch some of them now has made me understand the intentionality put into crafting some of those adverts. With catchy lyrics and rhythms accompanied by appealing visuals, those adverts were crafted to leave a lasting impression on our minds. I mean, some of us used to learn the lyrics to those commercials like they were trending hip-hop songs, try to recreate them by acting what we watched, and also convince our parents to get those products.
Here are a few of those adverts we used to love back in the day:
- Ovaltine’s Walking on Sunshine: Who doesn’t love a feel-good ad? That’s how Ovaltine locked us with their famous “I’m Walking on Sunshine!” jingle which made us kids see ourselves in the TV Commercial. The appealing and colorful visuals of the kids in the playground cheerfully singing about Ovaltine got the attention of every kid. While other brands were competing, Ovaltine stole our hearts with this particular one, and we had no choice but to fall in love. The joy of drinking Ovaltine while watching the advert was second to none!
- Cowbell TV Commercial: O yo-yo yo-yo yo, our milk! Nostalgia hits hard when you remember this famous jingle. And if there’s anything the Cowbell Our Milk advert did, was to appeal to the average Nigerian, bringing diverse groups; old and young, Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa. And the fact that the jingle was made in pidgin really sold to the masses!
Trust fund and nepo babies probably can’t relate to drinking Cowbell. But if you come from the trenches, this TV commercial slapped.
- Mimee – Mimee Boom Sha Sha: When the advert goes “Boom Sha Sha, Mimee!” Little you just join them to sing and you don’t even want to stop. Mimee Noodles came during the 2007 era with this song and captured every kid’s heart. I remember bugging my mom to only buy Mimee Noodles just because of this advert. Don’t blame me, I couldn’t get the jingle out of my head.
If you didn’t watch this or you don’t remember, you might want to hop on a time machine and go back in time, because this was the one! But don’t worry, you can immerse yourself in nostalgia when you watch it again.
- Indomie Instant Noodles – Mama do good: I speak for everyone when I say this is everyone’s best TV advert. Indomie Instant Noodles sure has lots of commercials but you see this one, they didn’t miss! A 100/10. Because they had every kid on the street singing Mama do good o, you do good. You give us indomie, indomie! The kids dancing around the mother singing to the woman was really a memorable moment for us all.
Can we just go back to the good old days, please? The cost of Indomie Noodles these days is sending me back to my village.
- Panadol Extra: If there was anything Panadol Extra did, it sold us the best pain relief adverts. ’cause! And this spoke to the average Nigerian. Talking about targeting the right audience. I can’t lie, I really believed taking a tablet of Panadol Extra would make your headache disappear in a second. We really have to give it to them. The catchy, easy-to-sing jingle and superb storytelling conveyed their message.
- Vicks-Baba Blue: This is another one of everyone’s favorites. Not just because we loved the Baba Blue sweet, but the acting in this advert was epic! The lawyer struggling to defend his client due to a sore throat was unexpected, then Baba Blue happened to be at the court, handing the lawyer a piece of Baba Blue sweet. Making the lawyer prove his client was innocent and the judge discharging him. Really epic and funny. It then gets funnier when the acquitted man thanks Baba Blue and accidentally says he won’t commit the crime again. Ehn?! – everyone’s reaction. This deserves accolades.
- Dettol Cool: A notable mention is the famous Dettol Cool soap ad. You weren’t cool if you didn’t use Dettol Cool soap, and if you also didn’t watch this particular TV commercial. Dettol definitely bought everyone with their depiction of killing germs using their product. Dettol Soap gave an elite feeling so much that if you weren’t using it, you’d suffer from FOMO. That’s the power of a good ad. And the popular line, If I don’t take care of him, who will? Nostalgic!
- Gino spices: Gino truly cares: This is one of my personal favorites, I can’t lie. The rhythm, melodic chorus, and visual storytelling reminds me of my mom’s jollof rice, especially during Christmas. This old ad won our hearts and cemented Gino as one of the best brands in the game of spices. I’m an adult now but this ad made me fall in love with Gino, that I would always opt for Gino tomato paste when trying to cook. And I’m surely not the only one on this table. What can I say? Gino truly cares.
Some of the memorable things we enjoyed about childhood were the unending TV commercials from various brands trying to win their audience, stay relevant, and of course, make sales. But emotionally, they really captured everyone’s attention; from Indomie Noodles’ Mama-do-good playful advert to Cowbell’s pidgin-like jingle to Baba Blue’s unconventional storytelling. No doubt, these parts of growing up will always be cherished.
Know any other that should be included? Drop your suggestions and we might just make a part two.
The DIY Collective 