BBNaija S9 will premiere on Sunday, July 28, 2024, across all Africa Magic channels
By Kehinde Okeowo
Popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija (BBanaija) will make a grand return to the television screens of Nigerians on Sunday, July 28.
But unlike the previous eight editions, the 9th season comes with intriguing initiatives designed to thrill fans this year.
In what appears to be a major twist, the organisers have announced that this season’s Head of House (HoH) challenge, which was usually decided by games and tasks, will now be settled through the ballot.
Announcing the change, Dr. Busola Tejumola, the Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice said, “Now restyled as the HoH Ballot, the process to select the first HoH will hold at 10:00 am on Monday, July 29, 2024. This will be followed by the Custodian Lock-In, then the Immunity Challenge and nominations.”
Apart from this, BBNaija S9 will be
saying goodbye to singlehood and welcoming double life, meaning contestants will enter the house in pairs for the first time in the reality TV show’s history.
Although the show has previously witnessed pairing of housemates, this is the first time that contestants will be auditioning in pairs.
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In season 3, ‘Double Wahala’ 2018, contestants were also initially evicted in pairs, but fans should anticipate double drama this season with the introduction of double housemates.
“What Biggie has asked for this year is for audition in pairs, which is the first time this is happening.
“This year, we asked for people to come with their friends, besties, family members, wives, husbands, and partners, to enter the show together as a pair. That was the selection criteria,” Tejumola added.
It, however, remains to be seen whether the contestants will be evicted in pairs from start to finish or a pair will emerge as the winner.
Another twist to BBNaija S9 is that in previous editions, themes are usually revealed weeks before the show proper.
However, the theme of this season’s show is yet to be revealed with hours to its commencement and it might remain so until the premiere.
“Everyone curious about the theme should watch out for the premiere on Sunday, July 28. The show holds lots of fun, vibes, emotion, drama, dynamics and intriguing twists,” the organizers hinted.
Finally, one of the most shocking twists of the reality show this year is its prize reduction.
Unlike previous seasons where the prize money is increased every year, this season saw a reduction despite the fact that several sponsors are already on board.
According to the organizers the prize to be won this year is valued at N100 million, an amount which equates what season 7 winner, Phyna won two years ago and N20 million less than the prize the All-Stars winner, Ilebaye took home last year.
Despite the reduction in prize money, the new twists have created excitement among fans who are eagerly anticipating the show’s premiere..