Africa Magic, owned by MultiChoice, on Sunday, February 9 began broadcast of Ultimate Love Nigeria, featuring 16 singles searching for love.
Not to be confused with Big Brother Naija, we highlight eight ways the new reality show is different from its richer cousin.
1 Who are the contestants?
The contestants are Nigerian men and women aged 23+ open to the adventure the show brings. There are 16 singles – eight men and eight women – referred to as Love Guests. After two weeks of getting to know each other, they will form couples and remain together for the rest of their time on the show. Big Brother Naija contestants are not obliged to have any relationship after the show ends.
2 No Ebuka
Big Brother Naija fans are already wailing that Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and his agbada are not hosting Ultimate Love Nigeria. They will, however, make do with Nollywood actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, and media personality, Oluwaseun Olaniyan, as co-hosts.
3 Big Brother House gives way to Love Pad
Big Brother Naija takes place in the Big Brother House. Love Pad is where Ultimate Love Nigeria’s contestants are housed. As it is in Big Brother Naija, they will be continuously monitored by live television cameras and personal audio microphones while they carry out daily tasks, compete in weekly challenges and perform other themed activities.
4 Diary Room becomes Chat Room
Big Brother Naija housemates spill their guts in the Diary Room. The Chat Room is the secluded area of the Love Pad where Ultimate Love contestants will be called into at a set time throughout the week. In there, they will be able to communicate with their loved ones and parent figures in the outside world.
5 Adesuwa Onyenokwe plays Aunty
Big Brother Naija has Biggie. Ultimate Love has Aunty, played by journalist and magazine publisher, Adesuwa Onyenokwe. She serves as a mentor and coach and is often the voice of reason as the love guests will get to see her and interact with her.
6 Similar elimination, different name
Viewers will get to vote off their least favourite couple every week. The elimination process on the show is referred to as check-out. It is called eviction in Big Brother Naija. Nominations and eliminations will be conducted on Sunday live show.
7 Less cash, more love
The winning couple will be rewarded with a lavish traditional wedding ceremony and a house if they commit to getting married. They will also get a cash prize of N5million. The winner of the 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija got N60million worth of prizes, N30million of it coming in cash.
8 No marriage, no house
The winning couple will be given six months after the show to consolidate their marriage plans. They must also have stayed together for one year after marriage to win the house. If the winning couple decide not to get married, they will forfeit the traditional wedding and the house but will still get cash and other prizes.
