2019 BBNaija Must Be Hosted In Nigeria – Censors Board

Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), says the next edition of the Big Brother Nigeria should be hosted in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Thomas frowned at the decision of the organisers of the reality television show to air it in South Africa.

According to him, if MTN has been surviving in Nigeria, then there is no excuse for BBNaija not to be hosted in the country.

“If it is Big Brother Africa, they can host that anywhere, but the one for Nigeria, should be hosted in Nigeria,” Thomas said.

“Nigeria has what it takes to host the show, after all, there are many multinational/telecommunication companies hitherto operating hitch free in the country.

“If the organisers are talking about lack of available infrastructure as an excuse, then how is MTN operating successfully 24/7 in this same country.

“If MTN, a similar South African company has been surviving in this country, then I don’t think anybody has an excuse for not hosting BBNigeria in Nigeria.

“They are making a lot of money from Nigerians here, so, we want them to host it here.”

On the criticism in some quarters that the show was not healthy for younger viewers, Thomas said the reality show is rated 18+ and it was the responsibility of parents to check what their wards watch.

He said: “A couple of the scenes are adult content and that is where parental guidance comes in. Parents can always block the watching of some scenes within a particular period or in totality.

“It is not government’s responsibility to assume the parental roles of moral upbringing of children in their homes.”

The 2018 edition of the BBNaija tagged “Double Wahala” is in its third edition. The first edition was held in 2006 in Nigeria, with the second coming after a 10-year break.

The second and third edition were hosted in South Africa.