Maduabuchi Idam, a prominent activist lawyer, has formally petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) demanding the immediate ban or stringent regulation of the popular reality television show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
Idam characterized the show as offensive, indecent, and profane, giving the NBC a 30-day ultimatum to respond or face legal consequences.
In a petition directed to the Director General of the NBC, titled “Urgent Appeal for the Regulation or Ban of Big Brother Naija Due to Obscene Content, in Accordance with the NBC Act of 1999,” Idam criticized the program for broadcasting explicit and pornographic material in real-time on national television and social media platforms.
“The content aired is not only shown on national television but is also disseminated proudly on the verified social media channels of the production company, showing a blatant disregard for public morality,” Idam remarked.
He raised concerns about the NBC’s past actions, pointing out that the commission had previously sanctioned or banned music videos from popular Nigerian artists such as Olamide, Phyno, and Wizkid for similar content violations, questioning why BBNaija has evaded similar scrutiny.
Although BBNaija carries an age rating of 18+, Idam asserted that this classification is inadequate, as the content remains accessible to minors and the wider public through various online platforms.
Idam claimed that the show fails to provide any educational, artistic, scientific, or literary merit and is detrimental to public decency and morality. He urged the NBC to confine the program to well-regulated channels designated for adult audiences only and to halt the distribution of explicit clips by the production company online.
He expressed concerns over the impact of such unregulated content in a nation grappling with insecurity and a host of social issues, warning that the moral degradation fostered by BBNaija could exacerbate the country’s challenges.
“The NBC must take decisive action now to prevent further deterioration of our societal values,” Idam cautioned, indicating his readiness to pursue legal remedies if the commission does not take action within the designated timeframe.
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