''Project Fame'', also known as ''Project Fame West Africa'' or ''MTN Project Fame West Africa'' (for sponsorship purposes), is a

music Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspect ...

talent TV reality show filmed in

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

and aired in the

West African West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Ma ...

subcontinent. It is a regional version of ''

Star Academy ''Star Academy'', called ''Operación Triunfo'' ("Operation Triumph") in Spanish-speaking countries, is a highly successful television pop music talent contest with viewer voting and reality show elements. Format There are many versions of t ...

'' reality series that was developed and is licensed worldwide by

Endemol Endemol B.V. was a Dutch-based media company that produced and distributed multiplatform entertainment content. The company annually produced more than 15,000 hours of programming across scripted and non-scripted genres, including drama, reality ...

. The show used to feature contestants from

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

Liberia Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

and

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...

, but

and

have been dropped since the 2014 Ebola Outbreak. The show is broadcast by networks in these four countries and across the African continent. Run by Ultima production, ''Project Fames inaugural season began in 2008. The production format consists of gala evenings held each Sunday night in prime time and hosted by Joseph Benjamin and Adaora Oleh. In season 7, Adaora was replaced with

Bolanle Olukanni Bolanle Olukanni is a Nigerian TV presenter popularly known for hosting ''Moments with Mo'' on DStv and ''Project Fame West Africa''. Early life Bolanle was raised in Nigeria, Israel, America and Kenya. Olukanni attended St. Saviour's Primar ...

. Additionally, there's a weekly recap show and the Eviction night on Saturday night. The jury is formed by three judges;

Praiz Praise Ugbede Adejo (born 8 March 1985), better known by his stage name Praiz, is a Nigerian multi award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Praiz's music career hit the limelight after he finished second runner-up at the maiden seas ...

, Bibie Brew and Tee-Y Mix, and Faculty members of the Academy which include:

Joke Silva Joke Silva , MFR is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. In 1998 she had a major role, starring opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film ''The Secret Laughter of Women''. In 2006, she won " Best Actress in ...

, Lovette Otegbola, Dupe Ige and Ben Ogbeiwi. The show is notorious for its winners struggling to make a name for themselves in the industry after they win. Of all the contestants in the 9 seasons, only Iyanya, Chidinma, Praiz, Niniola and Johnny Drille have gone on to make various degrees of success in music; season 5 winner Ayoola went on to become a thriving TV star

Winners & Runners-up

Season 1 (2008)

Season 2 (2009)

Season 3 (2010)

Gala evenings

;1st Live Show - Contestant's choice ;2nd Live Show -

Aṣa Bukola Elemide (born 17 September 1982"There's 'Fire O ...

Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter. Chapman is best known for her hit singles "Fast Car" and "Give Me One Reason". Chapman was signed to Elektra Records by Bob Krasnow in 1987. The following year she released ...

Mentor:

Aṣa Bukola Elemide (born 17 September 1982"There's 'Fire O ...

;3rd Live Show - Reggae Mentor:

Samini Emmanuel Andrews Sammini (born 22 December 1981 in Accra, Ghana), known by his stage name Samini (formerly as Batman Samini), is a Ghanaian Reggae and Dance hall recording artiste from Wa, Ghana. His genre of music is a melodious mixture of h ...

;4th Live Show - African Night Mentor:

Lagbaja Bisade Ologunde (in Lagos, 1960) is a Nigerian afrobeat musician, singer-songwriter and percussionist. Widely known as Lágbájá for his signature use of mask which covers his identity. He believes in social reform through music. Early life and ...

;5th Live Show - Soft Rock and Soul Mentor: Frank Edoho ;6th Live Show - Classic Duets & Evergreen Disco Songs Mentor:

Yinka Davies Yinka Davies (born July 16, 1970) is a Nigerian vocalist, dancer, lyricist and judge of reality show, ''Nigerian Idol.'' Yinka has been in the Nigerian entertainment industry for 28 years. Pitch ''Slogan – Time has come to speak up for ourselv ...

;7th Live Show - Afro-Caribbean night Mentor:

Onyeka Onwenu Onyeka Onwenu (born 31 January 1952) is a Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, human right activist, social activist, journalist, politician, and former ''X Factor'' series judge. Dubbed the "Elegant Stallion" by the Nigerian press, she is a fo ...

Elimination chart

: The contestant won the show : The contestant lost in the final : The contestant was in the Bottom Five, but saved by the jury : The contestant was in the Bottom Five, but saved by the academy : The contestant was in the Bottom Five, but saved by the students : The contestant was eliminated

Season 4 (2011)

Season 5 (2012)

Season 6 (2013)

Season 7 (2014)

Season 8 (2015)

Season 8 is being broadcast on TVC, MITV, DBN, SOUNDCITY, ONTV and GETTV. the finalists are Ada, Anderson, Arewa, Deinde, Jeff & pearl. Jeffrey oji finished as the winner of season 8

Season 9 (2016)

References

External links

Official websiteTwitter
{{Star Academy Nigerian reality television series Music competitions in Nigeria Africa Independent Television original programming Nigerian Television Authority original programming ONTV Nigeria original programming