A prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has issued a stern petition to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), demanding an immediate ban or stringent regulation of the popular reality television programme Big Brother Naija (BBNaija). In a strongly worded letter titled “Urgent Need to Ban or Regulate the Content of the Television Programme Described as ‘Big Brother Naija’ for Obscene, Indecent, and Profane Content, Pursuant to the NBC Act 1999,” Idam accused the show of broadcasting explicit and pornographic material, posing a threat to public morality.
Idam’s petition, addressed to the NBC’s Director General, claims that BBNaija, now in its second week of the 10th season, promotes “obscene, indecent, and profane” content through real-time broadcasts on national television and social media platforms. He expressed outrage that the show’s producers freely share such material on verified social media accounts, disregarding Nigeria’s cultural and moral sensibilities. “The programme is not only aired on national TV but its profane content is proudly shared on the verified social media handles of the host company, in total disregard for public morality,” he stated.
The lawyer highlighted the NBC’s past actions, noting that the commission had previously sanctioned music videos by artists such as Olamide, Reminisce, Phyno, and Wizkid for promoting indecency. Idam questioned why BBNaija, despite its 18+ rating, has escaped similar scrutiny. He argued that the age restriction is inadequate, as the show’s explicit content remains easily accessible to underage viewers and the broader public, particularly through unregulated social media clips.
Idam further contended that BBNaija offers no educational, artistic, scientific, or literary value, asserting that it contributes to the erosion of Nigeria’s moral fabric. “The programme neither offers educative, artistic, scientific, nor literary value. Its negative effect on the moral sensibilities of the Nigerian public cannot be underestimated,” he wrote. He urged the NBC to restrict the show to highly regulated, adult-only channels and to prohibit the online dissemination of explicit content by the show’s producers.
Emphasising the broader societal context, Idam noted that Nigeria is already grappling with challenges such as insecurity and social vices. He warned that unchecked programmes like BBNaija could exacerbate these issues by undermining public decency. “The NBC must act now to prevent further erosion of our societal values,” he declared, giving the commission a 30-day ultimatum to comply or face legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
The petition has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some support Idam’s call for regulation, citing concerns about the show’s impact on youth, others argue that BBNaija is a form of entertainment that reflects personal choice. Social media discussions have highlighted the programme’s popularity, with critics and fans alike debating its cultural relevance. No official response has been issued by the NBC or BBNaija’s producers at the time of reporting.
This legal challenge adds to previous calls for the show’s regulation, including a 2021 campaign by groups such as the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the National Council for Arts and Culture, which labelled BBNaija as an affront to Nigerian cultural values. As the 30-day deadline approaches, the NBC’s response will likely determine whether this latest petition reshapes the future of one of Nigeria’s most-watched reality shows.
