The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, never directed that the fifth edition of reality television show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) be shut down, an official in the ministry has disclosed.
Reports had claimed that he had directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to shut down the Big Brother House, which is the facility hosting the show.
Reacting to the claims, an official of the ministry who asked not to be named told The Nation on Friday that the report was concocted.

The source also said that government’s approval for the programme was sought by the company managing it and was duly given.
“That the programme is still running shows that there is no iota of truth in the report,” the source said.
The fifth season of the reality show kicked off on July 20 and it remains the most watched reality TV programme in Nigeria.