BIG BROTHER NAIJA: AS EXPLORING CONTENT AS REGARDS NATION BUILDING

Big Brother Nigeria popularly known as BBNaija or Big Brother Naija is a reality TV show, where each year some group of persons stay in a house and try to avoid eviction to remain in the show. In its final stage, the housemate with the highest vote emerges as the winner.

It was first aired in 2006. 

After its 11years hiatus, it premiered its second edition in 2017 titled

'Big Brother Naija: See Gobe'. Its Third Edition came with the title 'Double Wahala' and aired in 2018, the fourth edition followed in 2019 with the title 'Pepper dem' while the fifth edition aired in 2020 with the title 'Lock Down'. They are currently in their sixth edition titled 'Shine ya Eye'.

Many People wonder how this reality TV show has contributed to nation-building. It is important to note that nation-building is categorized into Economic and social levels. The entertainment industry is one of the factors that contribute immensely to Nation Building and Big Brother Naija as an entertainment hub plays a positive impact on the nation both economically and socially.

Economically, it is a major contributor to the growth of the creative industry which in turn generates funds, consequently, contributing to the nation's GDP. Big Brother Naija has a voting system where the audience is allowed to vote for their favourite housemate to remain in the show, at this stage, telecommunication companies are grossly patronized thereby providing them huge revenue earnings.

Secondly, this reality TV show has economically helped nation-building such that it promotes various brands. For example, Big Brother Naija brought the exposure of Oppo phones to millions of Nigerians thereby promoting its popularity among Nigerians. It also promoted the Innoson Company as one of its cars was awarded as a gift to 'Mercy Eke' who emerged the winner of the Big Brother Naija: Pepper Dem edition in 2019.

The Big Brother Naija also serves as a good marketing platform where different companies are given the chance to advertise their goods to millions of viewers hence, increasing patronage in brands like Bet9ja, Pepsi, Gulder, Darling Company and many others. The current edition of Big Brother Naija has also brought exposure to brands like "Abeg" and "Patricia" thereby giving them popularity among Nigerians.

Big Brother Naija helps promote small and medium-sized businesses as well as online vendors. The housemates would need to be clothed and dressed for different tasks as well as their weekend parties, thus, makeup artists and fashion designers are patronised. We also have entertainers like DJs who offer their services during their weekend parties. The media crew who work behind the scenes are not left out as well. As there would be cameramen and other technicians present to ensure the smooth run of the program; thus, elevating a lot of people especially the youths from unemployment as it has brought about job opportunities in various fields.

On the social level, Big Brother Naija helps nation-building by promoting each housemate to stardom. That is, they automatically become celebrities when they participate in the reality TV show. For example, Ebuka Obi Uchendu who was among the housemates in the 2006 Big Brother Naija edition promoted him to such that he has become one of the most popular hosts in the Nigerian Entertainment industry irrespective of the fact that he did not emerge as the winner. Mercy Eke, Tacha, Mike, Laycon, Erica, Dorathy, Nengi as well as all other housemates have become influencers and brand ambassadors to many companies in Nigeria. These housemates become productive to themselves as well as the nation by getting themselves involved in the movie sector, music sector and other sectors. 

The show in essence makes it in such a way that no one goes home without a huge turnaround in their lives; whoever participates gets the fame they need to promote whatever business they want to venture into or whatever career they wish to pursue.

Social harmony is not left out. Just like football, Big Brother Naija fosters national harmony among Nigerians. People from different ethnic backgrounds get to support a housemate who might be from a completely different ethnic background. They get to look beyond ethnicity and see the person for who he/she is. These die-hard fans also get to interact with other Nigerians with whom they have a common favourite housemate thereby building a community where they show each other love and support.

Conclusively, it is pertinent to note that irrespective of the downsides that people tend to outweigh more than the positive, Big Brother Naija has proven to be contributive to nation-building at both the economic and social levels.

NAME: IDAWOR OGHERE RUTH

CODE NO: OS/21A/2164

COURSE: ENGLISH AND LITERATURE

INSTITUTION: UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

STATE OF ORIGIN: EDO STATE