Popular Big Brother Naija director, Gbenga Kayode, has dismissed long-standing claims that the reality television show was designed to distract Nigerians, particularly young people, from political and national issues.
The reality show has, over the years, faced criticism from some Nigerians who argue that its timing, especially during election seasons, serves as a diversion from important political conversations. However, Kayode insists such claims are unfounded.
Speaking during a recent episode of the CreativiTea Podcast, the veteran television director explained that the concept behind BBNaija has always been centred on human behaviour and social interaction rather than politics.
According to him, the producers never approached the show with any political agenda or intention to divert public attention from national affairs.
He said:
“To be very honest, we never approach Big Brother Naija show from the angle of politics or distraction. People definitely have assumptions that are not true.
“The ideas are basically if you put people in this space under these conditions, what will happen? How the people would react, we don’t know. It has nothing to do with politics or distracting people.”
Kayode also addressed another criticism frequently directed at the reality show—that it encourages anti-intellectualism or contributes to what some critics describe as an "Olodo uprising."
Rejecting the claim, he argued that the programme does not promote illiteracy, noting that every winner of the reality show so far has been a university graduate.
His comments add to the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of Big Brother Naija, a programme that has grown into one of Africa's biggest reality television franchises while continuing to attract both widespread popularity and criticism.