We Can’t Ignore What Happened Last Night on Big Brother Nigeria
Judging by the reaction to the incident BBNaija, we need to talk about consent
Two months ago, twelve young adults entered the latest edition of the Big Brother Nigeria household, thus forfeiting the rights to their time and privacy in exchange for the chance to win ₦25 million and an SUV, as well as the usual 15 minutes of fame associated with this sort of exposure. We won’t dwell on the morality of their decisions and the fact that in the history of the Big Brother franchise in Africa, there has never been a more sex-positive cast, to the point that some have even petitioned for the show to be banned despite the fact it is already an age restricted adult show. What we will note, is that the housemates were unafraid to pair up and engage in consensual sexual activity – presumably for ratings – but also, as one would expect in any restricted premises full of adults for am elongated period of time.
What was not consensual however, were the events that happened in the early morning of March 5th 2017. Kemen, the self-proclaimed “fitness entrepreneur”, sexually assaulted fellow housemate TBoss whilst she slept. In what was clearly a premeditated attack, Kemen waited till he thought the cameras in the house were off and for TBoss – who he had been romantically pursuing unsuccessfully all season – to be asleep. Almost immediately, hundreds of people began to tweet directly at the Big Brother Nigeria social media handle, calling their attention to the assault and demanding that Kemen be punished. Later that evening, during the weekly eviction show, TBoss was shown the video of the assault, and Kemen was rightly disqualified for misconduct.
The statistics are terrifying: one in five women across the world has been the victim of sexual assault. When you actually compute the numbers, translate them from mere statistics to experiences that people are living with, the sheer scale of it is mind-boggling.
For every five women you know, one has had someone try to force them to have sex, or touched them in a sexual manner without their consent, or inexplicably taken a “no” to mean a “yes” One in ten women have been raped, which means you regularly interact with someone who has been raped; perhaps some casual acquaintance like the daughter of the bossman who runs the corner shop, or the server at Chicken Republic who always gives you extra ketchup, or maybe even your cousin, or sister, or mother. There were only 8 women in the Big Brother Nigeria house and it took less than a month before a woman was assaulted.
But Kemen wasn’t the only one who assaulted a housemate. Debbie Rise, one of the latecomers to the show, waited till Bassey was asleep before forcing a kiss on him. When he didn’t reciprocate, she left, which is probably why she wasn’t punished as severely as Kemen. The widely touted myth that women are incapable of raping or sexually assaulting men likely also contributed to how lenient the people behind Big Brother were towards her, but this does not mean what she did was not a crime.
In both instances, the victims of the unsolicited sexual attention were close to their assailants and had even been somewhat intimate with them. But this doesn’t given Kemen or Debbie Rise the right to perform intimate acts without the consent of their desired suitors turned victims.
What this means is that as a younger generation of Nigerians, we need to teach ourselves about consent. For years we have been taught that “No Means No”, and that we should stop when our partners explicitly tell us no. But consent has evolved beyond that. Consent is not simply the presence of a “No”, it is the absence of a definitive “Yes”. If your partner is not willing and actively giving you verbal and/or non-verbal consent, you need to stop whatever you are trying to do.Whilst every situation is different with varying contextual details, there is no grey area between yes and no: we have all been taught this from a young age. You must be equally agreeing to whatever sexual act you both are engaged in for it to be consensual, and that consent can be withdrawn at any time. No one owes us their bodies or their consent. It must be given freely.
For those still struggling to understand the difference between Yes and No, watch the video below.
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Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
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Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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