BIG BROTHER NIGERIA; A SETBACK TO CHILD PROTECTION GOALS IN NIGERIA
BY: IHECHI OLANREWAJU, ESQ
As a child protection professional, I have spent years participating in campaigns that teach children how to stay safe from sexual abuse. We use simple rhymes like:
“I am bold and happy, I am a child of God, my body is a gift from God,
and if anyone tries to touch me, I will shout ‘No!’ and tell my parents.”
These rhymes, along with many other awareness tools, empower children to speak up, set boundaries, and protect themselves from harm.
It is therefore deeply troubling to see Big Brother Nigeria (BBNaija) broadcast daily on national television, especially during the holidays when children have unlimited access to screens. In a country where millions of children are already vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, one would expect every sector, including the media, to align with the national push for child protection and value-based education. Sadly, this is far from the case.
BBNaija is an adult reality show heavily laced with sexual innuendos, vulgar language and toxic behavior. Despite being rated age 18, enforcement is almost nonexistent in most households. Many parents knowingly or unknowingly allow children to watch, while some youth groups and even schools engage in conversations and debates centered on the show.
On one hand, we witness government agencies actively advocating and championing the enforcement of child rights laws, as well as incorporating moral education and behavior-focused curricula in schools. On the other, an adult themed program is aired on national TV . In a society already grappling with high rates of sexual violence, cyberbullying, and peer pressure-related crimes, such unrestricted access to harmful content spells danger.
Media is a powerful tool that shapes a child’s worldview, it influences their aspirations, language, body image, and moral compass. When adult-oriented shows are made readily available on family entertainment platforms, they undo the work of teachers, counselors, social workers, and caregivers striving to raise responsible young citizens.
This is a call for corporate sponsors to reassess their influence and align their branding with child-friendly values, it is a call to government regulatory agencies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Ministry of Information, to enforce stricter access controls, regulate airtime for adult content, and promote responsible programming. Most importantly, it is a call to Nigerian parents to take back control of their screens, set firm boundaries, and consciously protect the minds and morals of their children.
Children are watching and learning, not just from what we teach, but from what we celebrate and promote. If we are truly committed to building a better future, we must stop feeding them content that glorifies the very behaviors we are fighting against.
