Reality TV star Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has urged the organisers of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) to take a break and rethink the programme’s format, saying it needs fresh ideas to remain attractive to viewers in an entertainment industry increasingly influenced by social media.
Speaking on Arise 360 on Arise News, the former housemate said the show achieved much of its earlier success when social media played a different role in people’s lives.
“I think they need to take a break, restrategise and just come up with something because we are really at an era where everything happens on social media,” she said.
Tacha noted that online discussions and trending controversies now compete with reality television for public attention. She cited the ongoing public interest in the dispute involving music duo P-Square as an example.
“You don’t want us watching housemates in the house, meanwhile P-Square is giving us part seven of his family issues… we have come to a point where everyone is so comfortable with social media right now,” she said.
She suggested that temporarily suspending the programme could allow viewers to miss it before its eventual return with a revamped format.
“You also give Nigerians a chance to miss you,” she said.
Tacha also urged the organisers to develop fresh concepts that would appeal more strongly to Nigerian audiences.
“They need to cook, like they need to try to do something different which will be much more mind-blowing and more interesting to Nigerians
because Nigerians are hard to please,” she added.
Tacha rose to prominence during the 2019 “Pepper Dem” edition of BBNaija but was disqualified following a physical altercation with fellow housemate Mercy Eke.
Since leaving the show, she has pursued ventures in entertainment and fashion, worked as a radio host on 96.9 Cool FM and launched Tacha FC in 2024.