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Nigeria takes centre stage, as MTV Shuga begins

By Chuks Nwanne
12 August 2017   |   4:28 am
On July 11, 2017, pan African television drama series, MTV Shuga, announced a return to Nigeria for its 6th season. The TV show, which revolves around the lives of young African...

MTV Shuga

On July 11, 2017, pan African television drama series, MTV Shuga, announced a return to Nigeria for its 6th season. The TV show, which revolves around the lives of young African, as they try to find their way around the challenges of adolescent years, has been broadcast in over 61 countries across the world, showing on 179 channels and reaching over 720 million people.

What this means is that over 720 million people across the world will be focusing on Nigeria, this time, for a good reason.

Playing host to a globally acclaimed TV show such as the award winning MTV Shuga drama series can be extremely rewarding; especially for a country with public image issues such as Nigeria. Being the most populous black nation on earth easily makes Nigeria a reference point for most things African. However, more often than not, this narrative is not so complimentary. Despite the fact that Nigerians are accomplishing amazing feats across the world, holders of the Nigerian passport are still met with some cynicism. The nefarious activities of a few Nigerians have dented the image of the whole country

Successive Nigerian governments have carried out rebranding campaigns to change the way the country is perceived. In March 2017, the then Information and Communications Minister, late Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili announced a national rebranding campaign which was tagged  “Good People, Great Nation.” At that time, the campaign was touted to signal the march towards national re-birth. Seven years later, the narrative has not changed as much as expected.

What the foregoing reveals is that rebranding has more to do with what is done than what is said. Repositioning a brand in a better light will be more effective if spearheaded by corresponding positive actions. The production of MTV Shuga in Nigeria is a project that will help to redirect the narrative about Nigeria from negative to positive.

MTV Shuga’s return to Nigeria will feature former MTV Shuga stars, Sharon Ezeamaka, Timini Egbuson and Jemima Osunde. New talents on the TV series will be selected through auditions. Also joining the MTV Shuga team for season 6 is Award winning writer/filmmaker of popular TV Show, AM Hush and producer of Shuga season 4, Chris Ihidero, who will be producing the upcoming series in Nigeria. These Nigerian talents will be showcased to the world!

The huge reach of the new MTV Shuga TV series portends well for Nigeria as it will project the country in a good light in such a way that most rebranding campaigns cannot.

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