MTV Shuga, a Television Series is returning back to Nigeria for the sixth season after it moved to South Africa last season.
Shuga is a TV soap opera that was first aired in November 2009 on MTV Base as part of an initiative dubbed “MTV Staying Alive Ignite.”
Also dubbed “Shuga Naija”, the new version is a multimedia campaign which educates youths on HIV, safe sex and teen pregnancy.
The show also puts a spotlight on family planning and issues that affect young people and the challenges they face from day to day, with a particular focus on adolescent girls.
Nigeria’s Timini Egbuson, Jemima Osunde and Sharon Ezeamaka who played lead roles in former seasons of the Television drama are returning to the show.
In a statement on the show’s website, the producers explained the reasons for bringing the show to Nigeria.
They said, “After a season Down South, we’re coming back to Naija for what will be an explosive season.
“Coming back to familiar territory can be strange. Time passes and people change, but some things always stay the same.
“After two lit seasons in Nigeria, there’s a lot to look forward to as MTV Shuga plunges back into West Africa.”
They also stated that there is more work to be done in Nigeria especially with the rate of unplanned pregnancies growing every year which is part of the programme’s focus.
MTV added that the need to continue the Nigerian storyline, the beauty of Nigerian music and the happy spirit of Nigerians have also propelled the need to bring the drama back here.
Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Georgia Arnold said on the return of the series to Nigeria; ‘We are thrilled to be bringing MTV Shuga back to Nigeria.
“Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with a vibrant, colourful and energetic urban youth culture and we can’t wait to share the exciting new storylines and important messaging on family planning and sexual health that we’re touching on this season.
‘We’ll explore more issues that affect young people and highlight the reality faced by many adolescents in their everyday lives, as well as the choices they can make to empower themselves.’
It was learned that the series designed to spread the message about responsible sexual behaviour and tolerance became a hit and was aired in 40 different African countries.
It was produced in partnership with Nigeria’s “National Agency for the Control of AIDS” (NACA).
Season 3 of the series which was the first time it was broadcast in Nigeria aired on 88 television stations across the world, with estimated household viewers of over 550 million
