A new reality television show designed to spotlight intelligence, creativity, and innovation among Nigerian youths will make its debut in October.
The programme, tagged Big Brain Naija (#BB9JA), is being put together by Big Brain Productions in partnership with DAAR Communications Plc.
Organisers revealed this during a press conference and signing ceremony held in Abuja, confirming that the show will air on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
Chief Executive Officer of Big Brain Productions, Kel Ameobi, explained that the project was created to provide a platform for brilliant young Nigerians to be recognised.
He said, “Big Brain Naija show was created with a simple but very powerful vision: to build a reality TV show where intelligence meets entertainment.
“For too long, we’ve seen and we have also heard our airwaves filled up with entertainment that promotes all sorts of things, very unspeakable things.
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“We’ve watched as youths on different platforms fight and entertain us with emptiness, whereas the brightest amongst us have no stage to shine.
“Big Brain Naija is not a show of noise but of ideas. It’s not a house of immorality but a stage for innovation, to celebrate ideas, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Marcel Anyalechi, Chief Executive Officer of DAAR Communications Plc, praised the initiative, describing it as a refreshing addition to the entertainment industry.
“I commend you so much for taking this project to this stage, and for us at DAAR Communications Plc, we express our total commitment to this project.
“We are glad that we are part of the project, and we are going to use all our media platforms to promote it to the Nigerian public, Africans and the rest of the world.
“I congratulate you on this initiative, and I believe that at the end of season one or two of this project, it will bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians,” he said.
Chief Operating Officer of the show, Ossai Ilome, disclosed that the maiden season will feature 37 contestants drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He added that the competition will break new ground in Africa by introducing AI-powered judges.
According to him, the overall winner will walk away with ₦30 million and a brand-new car.
He stated, “While we give credence to the entertainment industry and to those who have promoted Nigeria as a country, the time has come for us to showcase Nigerians who are very intelligent, industrious and visionary.
“These are attributes that Nigerians are known all over the world; they are known as intelligent people, industrious people and visionary people.
“However, most of the reality TV shows we have in the country do not seem to reflect this culture associated with our people.
“The Big Brain Naija reality TV show is coming with a lot of value not just for the people, but for the country, to demonstrate that Nigerians are indeed exceptional.
“Although the show is largely focused on intelligence and impact, of course, we are not leaving out the aspect of entertainment, because it is a reality show.”
