FG Allegedly Directs NBC to Shut Down Big Brother Naija Over COVID-19

The Federal Government has reportedly ordered Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take Big Brother Naija (BBN) off the air, over fears of a possible spread of COVID-19 among housemates.

According to TheCable, Armstrong Idachaba, acting director-general of the NBC, on Wednesday, told senior management members that he had been directed by the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, to shut down the show.

Insiders disclosed the NBC management was not well disposed to the move to shut down BBN, with some of them saying there was no basis for it.

A director is said to have reminded the meeting that NBC had already sought explanation from Multichoice on a possible violation of COVID-19 protocols with the airing of the show. The letter was sent on July 1, before the show began.

MultiChoice replied with detailed explanations on measures taken in collaboration with the Lagos state government, whose agency, Lagos State Safety Commission, gave the green light for the show.

Also, MultiChoice said in the letter that housemates had been screened prior to the show and that the BBN House had been decontaminated and adapted to ensure sufficient physical distancing, in addition to eliminating the use of live audience.

All housemates went through a mandatory two-week isolation during which COVID-19 symptoms would have manifested if they had the disease.

A second director is said to have told the meeting that participants of the show had maintained the safety protocols, notably generous use of hand sanitisers, since it started on Sunday.

Idachaba, who is reportedly fighting to be confirmed as the substantive DG, was asked to request the minister for a written directive.

However, the acting DG was said to have told the meeting that he would have no other option than to carry out Mohammed’s order.