Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the popular Nigerian TV host and former Big Brother Naija presenter, is set to star in a new African original series on Prime Video, titled ‘Ebuka Turns Up Africa’. The travel-reality show, which will launch in March 2024, will follow Ebuka and his friends as they embark on an exhilarating journey across the continent, exploring its diverse cultures, attractions, and challenges.
Ebuka will be joined by five other celebrities, who are also his close friends: Timini Egbuson and Zubby Michael, both Nollywood actors, Jimmie Akinsola, a radio personality, Onoja Adole, a fashion designer, and Alistair Englebert Preston, a musician. Together, they will visit some of Africa’s most desirable destinations, as well as engage in daring and high-adrenaline activities, such as bungee jumping, skydiving, and safari. Along the way, they will also encounter some unexpected conflicts, as their personalities clash and their friendships are tested.
The series, which is produced by Rapid Blue, a part of BBC Studios’ international family of production companies, is a unique celebration of Africa, and a showcase of camaraderie and adventure. It is also an opportunity for audiences to see a different side of Ebuka and his friends, beyond their celebrity personas.
Ebuka, who is excited about the project, said: “This journey was not only an exciting exploration of Africa, it was an opportunity for audiences to see a different side of me and the guys. Whilst we had a huge amount of fun and plenty of laughs, there were also some pretty intense conflicts—it was one wild adventure!”
Ned Mitchell, the head of MENA Originals at Prime Video, said: “This is Ebuka and Africa like you’ve never seen before! It’s an invitation for audiences to immerse themselves in the heart and soul of Africa. Ebuka Turns Up Africa is a unique celebration of Africa, brought to life by Ebuka and his top squad.”
Ebuka Turns Up Africa is one of the several African original series and films that Prime Video is committed to delivering to a global audience, including an exclusive overall deal with Jáde Osiberu, the director/producer and Greoh Studios, her production company, and an exclusive commissioning slate deal with Nemsia Films, beginning with Breath of Life, which will launch later this year. Prime Video is also the home of some of Nigeria’s biggest theatrical movies, with exclusive licencing agreements with Inkblot Studios and Anthill Studios, bringing customers box-office hits such as King of Thieves, Hey You!, and Palava!, as well as other TV series such as Beyond the Veil, Grind, and Prime Video’s Nigerian Originals, Gangs of Lagos, LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, and SHE Must Be Obeyed.
Ebuka Turns Up Africa is expected to premiere on Prime Video in March 2024.