A new Yoruba cultural talent hunt programme, Ilé Nlá – The Ultimate Yoruba Reality Show, has been unveiled in Ibadan with organisers promising a platform to discover and promote young talents rooted in Yoruba culture and tradition.
The project, described as the first indigenous Yoruba-language reality television show, was formally introduced during a grand unveiling and press conference held on Tuesday at Omo Ajorosun Club, Total Garden, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the convener of Ilé Nlá, Gbemi Faleti, described the initiative as a uniquely designed reality television programme aimed at discovering, nurturing and showcasing exceptional talents across Yoruba-speaking communities.
Faleti explained that the project blends the excitement of reality television with the richness of Yoruba heritage to create an empowering platform for young creatives.
According to him, the show is designed to promote Yoruba culture among youths while also providing economic and creative empowerment opportunities.
He disclosed that auditions for the programme would be conducted across major Yoruba-speaking cities including Abeokuta, Ilorin, Ado-Ekiti, Osogbo and Ibadan, from where participants would be selected.
Faleti added that the auditions would be open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who possess talents in areas such as music, drama, dance, fashion and culinary arts.
At the end of the audition stage, 25 finalists will be selected to participate in the reality show camp tagged Ilé Nlá House, where they will spend 45 days undergoing intensive cultural and creative training.
During the camp period, contestants will participate in daily and weekly talent-based tasks, live performances, mentorship sessions and weekly evaluations, while eviction will be determined through judges’ assessments and public voting.
The grand finale will feature the top five contestants performing live, with winners to be determined through performance ratings, judges’ scores and audience votes.
Speaking further on the rewards for participants, Adewale Abdulrasak Sokoti, a member of the organising team, said the winner of the competition will receive a ₦25 million grand prize, while the second place winner will receive ₦10 million and the third place winner ₦5 million.
Sokoti noted that funding for the project would not be a challenge, explaining that the vision had received support from cultural enthusiasts and sponsors who believe in promoting Yoruba heritage.
According to him, the platform will not only reward talents but also create opportunities for participants through mentorship, branding support and exposure to wider audiences.
The organisers also disclosed that participants would benefit from mentorship by leading Yoruba creatives, exposure to national and international audiences and training in talent development, branding and entrepreneurship.
They added that the programme is expected to attract over 10 million viewers across television and digital platforms.
According to the organisers, the show will be aired on major Yoruba television stations while digital engagement will include YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, with voting available through SMS and app-based platforms.
They further noted that the project would promote cultural preservation through modern media, boost tourism and create employment opportunities for more than 200 crew members, facilitators and creatives.
The organisers therefore called on stakeholders and partners to support the initiative, describing it as a major step toward promoting Yoruba heritage and investing in the future of young talents.
Other members of the Ilé Nlá team present at the unveiling ceremony included Kayode Olaiya (popularly known as Aderupoko), Bayo Sangobiyi, Segun Ayeni, Gbemi Faleti and Adewale Abdulrasak Sokoti.
Notable guests at the event included Benedict Ayoola, Baba Kamo, Baba Alariya, Alhaji Adebayo Fatai, Sule Odebunmi (Digboluja), Biola Fowosere, Baba Alao and Wale Lawal (Baba Promo).
The organisers also unveiled Ambassadors of Ilé Nlá Reality Show who are expected to promote the initiative across Yoruba-speaking communities. Those named as ambassadors include Adewale Abdulrasak Sokoti, Kayode Olaiya, Oriyomi Hamzat, Toyin Adegbola and Jide Kosoko.
