At last, Biggie’s house is in Nigeria

When Multichioce Niger ia launched the third season of Big Brother Naija tagged ‘ Double Wahala’ on January 28, 2018 on Dstv Channel 198, most patriotic Nigerians queried why the Nigerian scripted version of the Big Brother reality show should be held in South Africa. They asked why the organisers did not find a house worthy enough to host Big Brother and the housemates in Nigeria; an acclaimed giant of Africa.

Some even tagged the show ‘Big Brother South Africa’ for the failure of the organisers to produce it in Nigeria.

But on January 15, 2019, Multichioce Nigeria surprised everyone when it announced auditions for the 2019 edition of the real- ity show, and most importantly, that the show, which is now in its season 4 would be held in Nigeria.

On reading the story online, someone commented on his twitter handle that this is now truly Big Brother Naija, and many others also shared same view noting that it was wrong to have produced a Nigerian content for local consumption in another country.

The reasons for hosting the show in South Africa had always been the lack of world class facility to host a show of such magnitude going by the need for 24 hours electricity to run the show, technical and logistic issues.

But with the hosting in Nigeria, the country will now boost of a facility that can beyond hosting Big Brother also host worldclass events. Even with the development, some concerned Nigerians are curious to know how the organisers will solve the epileptic electricity power supply challenge to deliver the 24 hours a day show.

Well, the organisers are ready and even promise a bigger show this year. John Ugbe, chief executive officer, Multichoice Nigeria, said: “This fourth season promises to be even bigger than previous editions and underscores Multichoice’s position as the biggest investor and driver of entertainment content on the continent”.

Since its maiden edition in 2006, the Big Brother Naija reality TV show has produced some of the country’s biggest pop culture influencers and celebrities including Ebuka ObiUchendu, Gideon Okeke, Katung Aduwak, Bisola Aiyeola, Efe Ejeba and Uriel Oputa and mostly recently Miracle Ikechukwu, Tobi Bakre and Cynthia “Cee-c” Nwadiora.

As well, the show is now wooing more investors. While Payporte headlined the season 3 edition, Bet9ja; Nigeria’s number one betting website, is the headline sponsors of the new season.

Ayo Ojuroye, CEO, Bet9ja, said: “As the leading gaming company in Nigeria, we believe in changing lives. This singular attribute coupled with the zeal and passion attributed to the Big Brother Naija platform aligns with Bet9ja’s core values and we are honoured by the opportunity to headline this year’s edition. Bet9ja will continue to support programmes that will connect more young Nigerians to their dreams”.

The auditions will hold from February 1-2, 2019 in eight locations across Nigeria, an increase from previous editions.

However, the show is now truly made in Nigeria, so, get set to watch while it lasts.