Lawyer petitions NBC, demands action against BBNaija over ‘obscene content’
A Nigerian public interest lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), calling for an outright ban or urgent regulation of the Big Brother Naija reality show over what he described as repeated displays of obscene and profane content.
In the petition addressed to the NBC Director-General and made public on Monday, Idam alleged that the show, now in its second week of the 10th season, promotes indecency and violates broadcasting standards outlined in the NBC Act of 1999.
Idam argued that BBNaija has become a platform for real-time exhibition of pornographic and immoral acts, accessible not just via television but also widely circulated on social media by its producers. He described the situation as a blatant disregard for public decency and demanded regulatory intervention within 30 days.
“As a Nigerian citizen and public interest advocate, I am compelled to urge the NBC to either ban or strictly regulate the show to ensure it is only consumed by its adult target audience,” the petition stated. “It is unacceptable that such content continues to be freely accessible to the public, including children.”
The lawyer expressed dismay that while the NBC had previously sanctioned music videos for containing sexually suggestive scenes, it has allegedly remained silent on BBNaija, which he claims exhibits even more explicit content.
Idam further criticized the show’s distribution, pointing to its presence on national television and verified social media platforms. He insisted that airing such material without restrictions violates moral and cultural standards in Nigeria.
He also questioned the show’s contribution to society, claiming it lacks educational, artistic, scientific, or literary value. According to him, the program worsens existing social vices and weakens the moral fabric of the country.
Idam warned that if NBC fails to act within 30 days, he would be forced to pursue legal redress in court, urging the commission to prohibit BBNaija’s explicit content from being aired or circulated outside restricted viewing channels.
