Big Brother Naija and the erosion of Nigeria’s values, by Timothy Ali Samuel
It is both disturbing and regrettable that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria, continues to permit a programme like Big Brother Naija to dominate our airwaves year after year. Branded as “reality television,” the show has steadily entrenched itself as a symbol of moral decay, openly promoting nudity, vulgarity, vanity, and cultural erosion. The question must be asked: What values are we instilling in our young people when this kind of content is not only tolerated but celebrated?
Nigeria is a country already grappling with youth restlessness, unemployment, the influence of social media, and a steady decline in moral discipline. At such a time, one would expect that government regulators and cultural custodians would be stricter with the kind of programmes that reach millions of homes. Yet the opposite has been the case. Big Brother Naija has been allowed to thrive, becoming one of the most-watched shows in the country while steadily eroding cultural standards.
The content of the programme stands in sharp contrast to African and Nigerian values. It glamourises behaviours that were once considered shameful: open sexual displays, the normalisation of foul language, reckless partying, and an obsession with shallow forms of fame. For impressionable young viewers, this creates confusion about what constitutes success and what behaviour is acceptable in society. The consequences are already visible in our daily lives, a growing culture of disrespect for elders, a fixation on quick fame, and an obsession with vanity rather than productivity.
Worse still, families often watch this programme together. Parents, children, and teenagers are exposed to explicit scenes and conversations that should never form part of normal household entertainment. In a society where many parents are already struggling to instil discipline, the show provides an alternative “school” that teaches idleness, gossip, and vulgarity as though they were virtues. The harm being done to the moral development of the younger generation cannot be overstated.
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What is particularly troubling is the silence of the authorities. Nigeria has institutions specifically tasked with regulating media and protecting cultural values. Yet, instead of taking a firm stance against Big Brother Naija, these agencies seem content to look the other way. By doing so, they tacitly endorse the steady erosion of our cultural fabric. A government that truly prioritises youth development should be investing in content that educates, inspires, and uplifts rather than permitting content that degrades.
It is also worth noting the hypocrisy in our national discourse. We lament rising cases of insecurity, corruption, cybercrime, drug abuse, and moral collapse among our youths. Yet, we are unwilling to challenge the sources of influence that actively promote a culture of irresponsibility. How can we hope to curb societal vices when we continue to allow shows that glamorise recklessness to dominate the national consciousness?
Some argue that Big Brother Naija provides jobs and revenue. While this may be true, the cost to society far outweighs whatever financial benefits it generates. No society that sacrifices its values for entertainment can expect long-term stability. Nations that thrive are those that protect their cultural identity and channel the creativity of their youth into innovation, enterprise, and service—not idleness and moral decadence.
The media is a powerful tool for shaping behaviour and influencing aspirations. Instead of promoting Big Brother Naija, Nigeria should be encouraging reality shows that highlight entrepreneurship, innovation, science, agriculture, sports, and culture. Young people should be shown that hard work, creativity, and discipline are the true pathways to success, not scandal and controversy.
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The Federal Government, through the NBC and other cultural agencies, must therefore act decisively. Big Brother Naija should be banned from airing on all Nigerian platforms—whether satellite, terrestrial, or online. Allowing such content to continue unchecked is tantamount to surrendering the moral future of our society to the dictates of sensational entertainment.
If we truly care about the well-being of the next generation, we must take deliberate steps to protect them from harmful influences. This does not mean shutting out entertainment, but it means demanding responsible, value-driven entertainment that aligns with our cultural and moral standards.
Our values, culture, and the character of our youth are too important to be sacrificed on the altar of viewership ratings and fleeting excitement. As a nation, we must choose whether we will nurture a generation of leaders or a generation obsessed with vanity.
The time for action is now. Big Brother Naija has had its run, and its impact on society is clear. Nigeria must rise above passive tolerance and defend the moral integrity of its people. If we fail to act, we risk raising generations who mistake immorality for success and who will carry that distortion into every sector of national life.
Timothy Ali Samuel is a student of Mass Communication at Muhammadu Buhari University of Maiduguri (formerly the University of Maiduguri), Borno State.
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