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Nigerian Reality Shows | Zikoko!
  • We Ranked Popular Nigerian Reality TV Shows From Messy AF to Squeaky Clean

    Nigeria gives off simulation vibes, so it’s no wonder half the population clings to the “reality” reality TV shows offer.

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    It may feel like there’s nothing real in reality TV, but what we actually care about is the drama and messiness of it all. Here’s a ranking of the reality shows Nigeria has given us so far, from clean AF to as messy as the last presidential elections.

    “Real Housewife of Lagos”

    These “real” housewives will fight over any and everything on TV. And if that isn’t enough, they’ll take that fight to the internet and cuss each other out in real-time.

    Drama has never looked so good.

    Messiness scale: 10

    There’s nothing clean or out-of-bounds out of bounds with this show.   It’s so messy you’ll think they dipped it in a LAWMA truck. It might be scripted, but they’re doing their best to bring that script to life. We might as well give them an Oscar.

    “Young, Famous and African”

    We saw the lineup for this show and really thought that everything was going to be fine? We’ve never been happier to be wrong. 

    From the bad wigs to the trifling men to Swanky Jerry’s shocking style, “Young, Famous, and African” — they were really just slightly famous and African — came with enough drama to fill our young Oliver Twist hearts.

    Messiness scale: 10 

    This show is messier than the current state of Nigeria. And that’s saying a lot.

    “Big Brother Naija”

    Every season, the producers put the most unhinged people in Big Brother’s house, spray something in the air, wish Biggie good luck and run away. That’s the only possible explanation for all the chaos and romantic relationships that have ensued in that house so far.

    Messiness scale: 9

    Every season, the contestants come into the house unashamed and unafraid of a little mudslinging, and we’ll always be here for it.

    “Ebuka Turns up Africa”

    What are the odds that Ebuka and his merry gang of explorers would give us Real Housewives-worthy drama? From Timini and Zubby’s dick-measuring contest to Jimmy and Timini’s subtle jabs to Timini going off at Ebuka and offering to refund whatever was spent on the trip. We got more than we bargained for with this show, and now that we think of it, Timini was the main culprit. The “Real Housewives of Lagos” producers must offer Timini a spot on the next season. If Dr. Rommel can do it, he can too.

    Messiness scale:

    Timini took all the internet drags and insults he’d gotten over the years and poured them into the show. We’re not mad about it; they should turn up Europe next and double the drama.

    “Big Brother Titans”

    Do you see how we’ve separated Big Brother Naija from Big Brother Titans? That’s because they can never be the same thing. The show tried to maximise the joint slay of BBMzansi and BBNaija and fell short of expectations.

    Messiness scale: 7

    We won’t say some of the housemates didn’t do their best to give us the drama we signed up for, but compared to Big Brother Naija, they were a slight stain.

    “Real Housewife of Abuja”

    There’s obviously something in the Lagos air that makes everyone cling to messiness and drama, and this show made that clear. Don’t get us wrong; it was nice to see the housewives look like actual housewives living in luxury. But other than that, the Abuja gang weren’t half as chaotic as their Lagos counterparts.

    Messiness scale: 6

    They tried their best to give us some sort of drama, but even the reunion didn’t bang like it should’ve.

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    “Ultimate Love”

    Big Brother’s children kept falling in love in his house, so the producers thought they could turn the house into Love Island for a hot minute. They shouldn’t have bothered

    Messiness scale: 5

    They should’ve rubbed the muddy waters of the Lagos dating scene on the house walls. Maybe then we would’ve gotten more than what the contestants gave.

    “Bae Beyond Borders”

    The producers saw that Big Brother Titans had half of Nigeria’s populace upset and came up with a show to matchmake South African women with Nigerian men. But they brought a group of people who couldn’t find drama even if it was staring them in the face and didn’t even care enough about our entertainment to at least give them a script when they saw how dry they were.

    Messiness scale: 4

    They brought Eric of BBN back, and he couldn’t even redeem himself after flopping out of Biggie’s house.

  • 8 Nigerian Reality Stars Who Must Be on Love Island

    After years of accusing Big Brother’s children of turning his house into Love Island, we’re finally getting a Love Island Nigeria.

    It isn’t the first time it’s been announced, so we’re not sure we should trust them or invest our time and energy into better things — like complaining about the government.

    We’ve really been complaining all year

    As we decide on what to do, the producers should just start placing calls to these reality stars as soon as possible.

    Saga from “Big Brother Naija”

    Will it really be Love Island without THE BBN lover boy? We thought Ozo was doing a lot, then Saga came and showed us how to root for ships that may never sail. The producers should ask him to pack his trunks and baby oil, or they can leave us be.

    Possible love interest: Liquorose. Have you seen their TikToks? We’re not sure yet, but we need to put our suspicions to the test.

    Neo from “Big Brother Naija”

    His first time on Big Brother, he was fighting over soup with Vee and giving us a sprinkle of toxic love. The second time around, he came in single and had half the girls in the house thirsting over him. We hope the Love Island producers see what they see and drag him to their island.

    Possible love interest: Chioma Ikokwu. They’d eat as a couple, but all of this is really wishful thinking because big Baj would be there, and who knows if she’ll let Neo roam free?

    Tolani Baj from “Big Brother Naija”

    Do we want to see what happens if Neo and Big Baj are in a confined space again? Yes, but we also need her there to spice things up because what’s Love Island without the drama?

    Possible love interest: Emmanuel Ikubuese. TBaj might have to fight the other islander babes while holding onto Neo with her other hand, but we believe in her powers. There’s nothing too big for big Baj to handle.

    Emmanuel Ikubese from “Mr Nigeria”

    We really just want him there for eye candy. He can strut around the pool with his chest out to test all the couples on the island. 

    Possible love interest: Tolani Baj. He might roam the island on his own for a couple days, but once she sets her eyes on him, that’ll be the end of his single status.

    Doyin from “Big Brother Naija”

    We honestly can’t say she’d last long on the Island. However, we know she’ll give hot, unhinged drama for however long her fellow islanders and the public allow.

    Possible love interest: Eric. She’ll need someone to talk to when she takes breaks from starting fires around the Island, 

    Eric from “Big Brother Naija”

    The man was in Biggie’s house for a week and served couple goals with Lilo, then went on Bae Beyond Boarders to find love again. Like Scott, he’s clearly serious about giving love a chance. Who are we to stop him?

    Possible love interest: Indomie. If they stock indomie on that island, he’ll spend all his time away from everyone else.

    Chioma Ikokwu from “Real Housewives of Lagos”

    Yes, she was on the Real Housewives of Lagos. No, she isn’t a housewife, which means to the best of our knowledge, she’s single. The producers should start begging her and her face card to grace their island for as long as she wishes (If they vote her out, we’ll sneak her back in).

    Possible love interest: Neo. An aesthetically pleasing couple is all we want to see.

    Liquorose from “Big Brother Naija”

    We know what she and Saga do with their TikTok videos is just acting. But the producers should bring her in, we want to see something.

    Possible love interest: Saga. Either they prove us right and fall in love, or they stay as a friendship couple. 

  • 5 Old Nigerian Reality Competition Shows We Miss

    1) Gulder Ultimate Search

    Gulder Ultimate Search was a Survivor-style show where 10 contestants were taken to a remote location and left to survive with whatever resources they were given. They would partake in daily tasks (both physical and mental) in attempts to find the ultimate treasure a.k.a whatever the season’s fictional back story decided a contestant would have to find to be declared the winner. It was pretty entertaining, even though parts of it were obviously scripted. It also had great production value.

    The show ran for 11 seasons. The last season aired in 2014.

    2) Celebrity Takes 2

    Celebrity Takes 2 was basically a Dancing With The Stars knock off. Nigerian celebrities were paired with professional dancers from the Spirit of David dance troupe. In its two seasons, it had an impressive cast of celebrities like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Sound Sultan, Kunle Afolayan, Omowunmi Akinnifesi etc. I will never forget screaming like a maniac as Omowunmi emerged from a box like a contortionist at the beginning of one of her routines. The show ran for only two seasons.

    The last season aired in 2009.

    3) Project Fame West Africa

    Project Fame was a music talent TV reality show that featured 15 contestants, picked from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, competing in a singing competition that lasted eight weeks. By the last episode, the top six would remain, from which the top three would be chosen (based on viewers votes). The winner of each season was given a ton of money, an SUV, and a recording contract worth millions of naira. The show ran for nine seasons. The show gave us some big artistes like Chidinma (Season 3 winner), Iyanya (Season 1 winner), Niniola (Season 6 runner up) etc.

    The last season aired in 2016 and we haven’t heard anything about it since.

    3) Maltina Dance All

    Maltina Dance All was a reality show where 15 dancing families (a term I honestly thought was reserved for circus performers) competed against each other in different dance styles for a cash prize of N5 million. The show ran for nine seasons.

    The last season aired in 2016.

    5) Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

    WWTBAM was a television show where contestants took on a series of multiple-choice questions for a chance to win large cash prizes. Only one contestant played at a time (getting the chance to be on “the hot seat” by playing a “fastest finger game” with two other hopefuls), and had no time limit to answer questions. The more questions the contestant got right, the higher the cash they stood to win. The maximum cash prize was N10 million.

    After running for 13 years, the show’s main sponsor, MTN, pulled out in 2017, leading to the production of the show being halted. Let’s just hope that if the show ever comes back, they get the original host, Frank Edoho, back.

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