The Interview Editors
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Armstrong Idachaba, has said there are no plans to shut down Big Brother Naija in spite of media reports that he had been directed to do so by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.
Reports of the minister’s directive first surface in a July 22 NBC management meeting when Idachaba informed other directors.
Fears over the spread of COVID-19 are reportedly behind moves by the minister to take Big Brother Naija, a reality show produced by MultiChoice Nigeria, off air.
MultiChoice Africa, is a pay TV service provider and has in recent years been at loggerheads with the Nigerian government over its charges and monopoly it enjoys over some content, particularly professional football in Europe.
The fifth season of the Big Brother Naija show kicked off on July 20, 2020 and management of the NBC had reportedly given approval after measures were taken by the shows producers to adhere COVID-19 guidelines from health officials.
In an exchange of letters earlier in the month, the show’s producers had reportedly explained to the NBC measures taken before the season began and why they weren’t in breach if COVID-19 protocols.
