MTV Shuga Naija premiered its fifth season at the Imax Filmhouse in Lagos on the 27th of April, 2023.
The event flagged off with a press briefing at the venue and saw the Country Manager, Paramount, Dr. Bada Akintunde-Johnson; Country Manager, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Anita Adesiyan; Team Lead, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Empowerment Unit, Oyedija Temitope, and Project Manager, Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LSACA), Yeside Olayinka-Agboola, all speak about their contributions in bringing MTV Shuga Naija Season 5 to life.
The production sees a massive inclusion of youth and an over 80% female representation in cast and crew.
“We believe investing in female creators, we can create a more inclusive, diverse industry that reflects the stories, reflections, and experiences of Nigerians.” Anita Adesiyan said.
MTV Shuga Naija Season 5 sees characters navigate their way through love, misogyny, heartbreak, and sex. The drama also addresses daunting issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and COVID-19. The partnership with Chocolate City for the track listing breathed more life into this season’s storytelling.
Gbubemi Ejeye (Moh), Genoveva Umeh (Chika), Susan Pwajok (Nanya), Maggie Osuome (Haalel), Kanaga JNR (Kachi), Lexan Peters (Praise), Ilooise Omohinmin (Saz), Kem Ajieh (Tolu), and Chioma Edak (Janet), all feature this season.
Regular cast members of MTV Shuga Naija, Tomiwa Tegbe (Wasiu) Sharon Jatto (Simi), and Adesua Etomi-Wellington (Sheila) also make a return this season.