After rigorous auditions in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Accra, Ghana, top 24 hopefuls emerged but only 14 made it into the MTN Project Fame Academy.

As projected, the biggest and the most consistent music television reality show in West Africa, MTN Project Fame West Africa delivered on its promise of fun and excitement as 14 contestants were unveiled at the Opening Gala show.

The event kicked off on a powerful and competitive note with the introduction of fine-looking Joseph Benjamin and delectable Bolanle Olukanni as the hosts of the show. Jeffery Akoh, season 8 winner heightened the aura of the event with a beautiful rendition of his Debut Single, Never let you go.

12 of the contestants seamlessly qualified into the Academy based on the verdict of the panel of judges comprising Bibie Brew and Tee Y-Mix. Now, with a vacant seat for the 3rd judge, there seems to be possibility of a surprise judge, whose identity would be revealed as the show goes on.

In order to prove their worth before the panel of judges and the teeming audience, Kitay, Blessing, Benjamin, Seun, Steve and Kissi were asked to perform at the Opening Gala.

Unfortunately, Blessing, Seun and Kissi were eliminated from the competition while Benjamin was given an opportunity of a Wild Card. Steve and Kitay proved their worth with their moving performances and got the nod of the judges to join the other 12 contestants in the race for the next MTN Project Fame winner. The contestants that made it into the Academy are Oladapo, Eli, Elizabeth, Favour, Gabriel, Okiemute, Oluchi, Pere, Solomon, Steve, Winner and Yusuph.

Celebrities that graced the event include; Vetran Nollywood actor; Olu Jacobs, foremost Nigerian blogger Noble Igwe, and popular lifestyle blogger; Olorisupergal. Apparently, the show will be incomplete without the presence of the honourable Faculty members comprising the Academy Principal Joke Silver (Mummy J), the Music Instructor; Benjamin Ogbeiwi and the Voice Coach Ms. Ige.

As declared, the winner of the competition will walk away with a grand prize of N5m, a brand new SUV and a recording deal worth millions of Naira. The 1st runner up will get a saloon car and N3m. The 2nd runner up will be awarded a brand new saloon car along with N1m while the 3rd runner up will receive a cash prize of N1m.

Past winners of Project Fame include; Iyanya, Mike, Chidinma, Monica, Ayoola, Olawale, Geoffrey and Jeff. Who the winner of season 9 will be, the next 8 weeks will tell.

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