MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, have joined forces with the Nigerian government’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch Shuga, MTV’s award winning TV series and multimedia campaign.

You might recall that Twelve Years A Slave actress, Lupita Nyong’o, starred in the Kenyan version of Shuga, around 2009/2010. 

The first Shuga series (comprised of 3 twenty-four minute episodes) was filmed in Kenya in August/September 2009, starring a young cast of then upcoming Kenyan actors and actresses, telling bitter-sweet tales of love, loss, sex and relationships, set in the clubs, bars, campuses and other hangouts of contemporary Nairobi – the intent being to give a raw view on the lives of sexually active young Kenyans, and highlight the risks associated with unprotected sex and living careless lifestyles, all told through interconnected storylines.

Comparisons to Stateside MTV series were made, giving it labels like “Real World: Kenya” (it was set in Nairobi, Kenya – locally shot and produced), although it’s not a reality TV series. It’s all scripted drama, made for the young MTV crowd.

So the series is now coming to Nigeria.

The news was announced at a press conference in Lagos, Nigeria. 

The series will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), Nigerian terrestrial broadcasters and other MTV networks and third party broadcasters around the world, on World AIDS Day (December 1, 2013). 

Other elements of the Nigerian Shuga campaign will include a radio drama series, a peer educator program, a comic book in Hausa and English, a mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.  

Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, said, “MTV Base is proud and excited to bring Shuga to Nigeria for the first time.  We are delighted that this award-winning series and multimedia campaign will be using its muscle to shine a light on important public health issues affecting youth, and promoting meaningful behaviour change while leveraging Nigerian creativity and talent.”

To stay up-to-date on Shuga, *like* it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MTVShuga, or follow on Twitter @MTVShuga.

For a glimpse at what to expect, watch episode 1 of the Kenyan version of Shuga below: