Project Fame, also known as Project Fame West Africa or MTN Project Fame West Africa (for sponsorship purposes), is a music talent TV reality show filmed in Lagos and aired in the West African subcontinent. It is a regional version of Star Academy reality series that was developed and is licensed worldwide by Endemol. The show used to feature contestants from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, but Liberia and Sierra Leone 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. Additionally, there's a weekly recap show and the Eviction night on Saturday night.
The jury is formed by three judges; Praiz, Bibie Brew and Tee-Y Mix, and Faculty members of the Academy which include: Joke Silva, Lovette Otegbola, Dupe Ige, Ben Ogbeiwi and Mr Gboyega Ayoade.
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 & Tracy ChapmanMentor: Aṣa
3rd Live Show - ReggaeMentor: Samini
4th Live Show - African NightMentor: Lagbaja
5th Live Show - Soft Rock and SoulMentor: Frank Edoho
6th Live Show - Classic Duets & Evergreen Disco SongsMentor: Yinka Davies
7th Live Show - Afro-Caribbean nightMentor': Onyeka Onwenu
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)