Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has reportedly asked the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to stop the transmission of popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija.
The show entered its fifth season on July 19 with 20 housemates competing for a grand prize.
Acting Director-General of the NBC Armstrong Idachaba told senior management members of the commission at a meeting on Wednesday that he had been directed by the minister to shut down the show, according to TheCable.
He said Mohammed called for an end to the show due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The news platform reported that the minister wanted the letter shutting down the show to come from the NBC because of the general opinion that he is bent on sending MultiChoice Ltd, producers of the show, out of Nigeria.
A director told the meeting that MultiChoice Ltd replied a July 1 letter by the NBC requesting explanation from the company on a possible violation of COVID-19 protocol with the airing of the show.
The company said it got approval from Lagos State Safety Commission. It also said housemates were isolated for 14 days before the show began and also that the BBN House had been disinfected and rearranged to ensure physical distancing, in addition to the elimination of live audience.
Idachaba had yet to convey the minister’s directive to the show’s organisers.
The NBC acting head could not be reached for comments, according to The Punch.
