The Nigerian economy will lose some N2 billion if the federal government goes ahead with the rumoured move to take Big Brother Naija (BBN) off the air.
It was reported that Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has asked the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take Big Brother Naija (BBN) off the air.
TheCable, reported that the minister cited fears of a possible spread of COVID-19 among housemates.
But the ongoing edition of hit reality television show, which kicked off on Sunday has generated direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians in marketing, Public Relations, production and sponsorship, who have been working from home and on MultiChoice’s monthly payroll.
Also involved are newspapers’ and online adverts, hundreds of photographers, disc jockeys, interior decorators and an assortment of other small and medium sized business owners contracted as vendors to supply food, clothes, toiletries to the house for the duration of the show.
BBNaija Season 5 will run for 10 weeks and be broadcast live round-the-clock on DStv and GOtv.
According to financial sector sources, MultiChoice’s investments in the show have risen to N2billion because of capital-intensive projects necessary for the successful hosting of the show.
These include the addition of 250 square meters (sqm) to the 1800sqm Big Brother House, provision of furniture, technical equipment and other safety systems.
The costs are said to be exclusive of production, marketing, talent performances and other sunk costs absorbed by the pre-existing Big Brother House.
Huge sums of money, said sources, have been expended on items such as building design permits, civil engineering works, landscape management, heating ventilation and air conditioning as well as mechanical and electrical systems upgrade.
Similar outlays have been made to ensure the upgrade of acoustics to studio specifications, purchase of power generators, water purification, information technology facilities and adaptation of the Big Brother House to conform with COVID-19 protocols.
