The third season of the television drama series Shuga, dubbed Shuga Naija, was first broadcast on MTV Base from December 2013 to January 2014. The season was written by Kemi Adesoye and directed by Biyi Bandele. It starred Tiwa Savage, Chris Attoh, Maria Okanrende, Emmanuel Ikubese, Sharon Ezeamaka, Efa Iwara, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Okezie Morro, Timini Egbuson, Kachi Nnochiri, Sanni Mu'azu and Leonora Okine. Shuga Naija is a multimedia campaign which educates youths on HIV, safe sex and teen pregnancy. It also touches on maternal and child health, family planning, gender-based violence, and women empowerment. The television series, which consists of eight episodes, was shot and set in Lagos State, produced in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
Premise
Shuga Naija tells the story of different Lagos youths and how they deal with love, sex and relationships. Sophie (Dorcas Shola Fapson) is a campus "RunsGirl", who comes from a poor background and tries to sustain herself by sleeping with rich men; her sister also comes to visit her from the village and tries to adjust oddly to the city environment. Sade (Tiwa Savage) is an over-protective adoptive mother of a son who's HIV positive. Femi (Ikubese Emmanuel) returns from Nairobi and tries to make a fresh start. Ekene (Okezie morro) is a casanova who is a boyfriend to Foye (Maria Okanrende), an on-air personality and disc jockey. Solomon (Sani Mu'azu) is an aristo, who's HIV positive, and sleeps with young girls without protection. Malaika (Leonora Okine) is married to Nii (Chris Attoh), a man who constantly beats and violates her.
Cast
Main characters
Dorcas Shola Fapson as Sophie (8 episodes) Emmanuel Ikubese as Femi (8 episodes) Okezie Morro as Ekene (8 episodes) Maria Okanrende as Foye (8 episodes) Timini Egbuson as Tobi (8 episodes) Sharon Ezeamaka as Princess (8 episodes) Sani Mu'azu as Solomon (8 episodes) Chris Attoh as Nii (7 episodes) Leonora Okine as Malaika (7 episodes) Olumide Oworu as Weki (6 episodes)
Supporting characters
Tiwa Savage as Sade Banjo (8 episodes) Efa Iwara as David (8 episodes) Kachi Nnochiri as Osaro (8 episodes) Owumi Ugbeye as Bikiya (6 episodes) Samuel Ajibola as Chibuzo (1 episode) Nick Mutuma as Leo (1 episode)
Guest appearances
KC Ejelonu as HIV Counselor (2 episodes) Blossom Chukwujekwu as Coach (1 episode) Iyanya as Iyanya (1 episode) Ice Prince as Ice Prince (1 episode) Vector as Vector: Season 4 (1 episode)
Production
In June 2013, It was officially announced that the new seasons of Shuga will now be produced in Nigeria, as the previous seasons had been shot and produced in Kenya. At the unveiling event held at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Lekki on 25 June, it was stated that the new series will have a whole new look; with new predominantly Nigerian cast and crew. Ikubese Emmanuel and Nick Mutuma are the only actors from previous seasons who returned to the new season of the series. Speaking on the transition, Alex Okosi, the Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa says producing the project in Nigeria will help the realization of the series due to Nigeria's flourishing entertainment industry. According to Business Day, "When it is a Nollywood production it tends to get more recognition and embrace for people, both locally and internationally". The Head writer, Kemi Adesoye comments: "In bringing Shuga to Nigeria, I hope that we embrace it. I hope young people will learn, be entertained and ultimately change their lives. I would like Shuga to help start conversations between friends and families about issues relating to certain taboos, talk about HIV and about teen pregnancy". Bandele reportedly chose to work with Adesoye after seeing her screenplay for Kunle Afolayan's acclaimed film Phone Swap (2012).