X-Factor Nigeria, to be sponsored Globacom

Niyola will be performing at the launch of X-Factor Nigeria. Photo: Obi Somto

Nigeria’s telecom giant, Globacom is bankrolling the Nigerian version of the British music reality TV series, X-Factor.

After recording a great success in the UK, US and other parts of the world the creators have decided to create a Nigerian franchise of the reality show to come on air very soon. When the television music competition comes to town, the telecoms company won’t be the only company standing behind it.

NET investigations had earlier revealed that the brain behind this move is none other than Rotimi Pedro, CEO of Optima Media Group (OMG).

In 2011, OMG brought their first reality show franchise ‘Nigerian Idol’ (the local version of the Idol franchise), and in the following year, birthed the ‘Nigeria’s Got Talent’ show.

When NET contacted a Senior Executive at OMG, Lisa Ughieghele, she refused to respond to some of our enquiries, saying she is ‘not privileged to disclose any information at the moment.’

But multiple sources confirmed to us, over the weekend, that the deal between OMG and Glo has been signed and sealed. An insider tells NET that Globacom has also ceased its sponsorship of ‘Naija Sings’.

It is expected that Glo’s partnership with X-Factor will be announced this Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at the weekly music industry networking event, Industry Nite, with artistes Burna Boy, Niyola, Seyi Shay, Phyno, Pucado and UK-based Nigerian singer, L Marshal on the bill.

X Factor was created by popular TV producer Simon Cowell in 2004. It originated in the United Kingdom and has been adapted for numerous international versions in over 40 countries, including the US, China, Australia, Czech Republic and Colombia.