Gideon Okeke to host the all-Nigerian version of ‘The Money Drop’ which premieres Sunday 13 January on AfricaMagic Entertainment

Gideon Okeke is no stranger to game shows as he made his television debut on the hit reality TV show Big Brother Nigeria in 2006. He later joined the cast of one of Africa’s most watched soapies, Tinsel as the impatient and spontaneous film-maker Phillip Ade-Williams.

This time around gorgeous Gideon has put on his presenter cap for the thrill filled game show, The Money Drop (TMD). “Viewers can expect a different side to Gideon this time around- a softer side. The audience will get a better sense of who I am on The Money Drop,” he says.

He’s admitted that the show is a vast pool of general knowledge as he too is learning a thing or two from the endless variety of questions asked to hopeful Money Drop players.

Back in 2006 when he entered Big Brother, Gideon said he did it because he hoped it would provide him with endless opportunities – and this has turned out to be true.

The Money Drop is a risk it all game show with prize money of $100 000 at stake.

From Sunday 13 January at 7pm (West African time) AfricaMagic Entertainment will be screening an all-Nigerian version of the hit international game show The Money Drop.

The highest selling format since 2010 for producers Endemol, the series has already been sold in key markets across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

Now it is coming to Africa and the first stop is Nigeria! Tune in on Sunday nights to see who has dared to risk it all!

The format of the series is simple but captivating. In each episode a pair of contestants start off with a USD 100 000 in hard cash. Just eight questions stand between them and their money. Sounds simple, right? Think again! One wrong move, and they could see all their cash disappear through a trapdoor. So the question is… Can you beat The Money Drop?

M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi is looking forward to the upcoming series and says, “Anytime you put together the elements of risk, reward, cash and emotion, the outcome is going to be exciting and dramatic television. So get set for great entertainment with The Money Drop. It’s a unique game show because this time round you start with the money and then play to keep it!”

She goes on to state, “We are very proud to be screening an all-Nigerian version of this series and believe that it will go a long way to keep our audiences engaged with our glamorous AfricaMagic Entertainment channel, which is already home to Tinsel, Jacob’s Cross, 53 Extra, StarGist, Isidingo, Generations and so much more.”

It’s going to be thrilling, edge of your seat, tension-fueled fun!

Wondering exactly how The Money Drop (TMD) works? Wonder no more, we’ve outlined exactly how the game will unfold for each contestant pair, depending on how far they get…

Produced by Endemol SA and sponsored by Nigeria’s Diamond Bank, The Money Drop Nigeria marks the first time that the format has been filmed in Africa. The show will be re-screened on AfricaMagic Entertainment on Mondays at 9:30pm WAT, Wednesdays at 4:30pm WAT and Fridays at 9:30pm WAT.

The game play elements for this exciting show revolve around the following rules:

• A completed game consists of 7 questions

• Contestants have to bet all their money on each question. They can place it all on one drop or spread it around but they have to leave one drop open.

• Questions 1-3 have 4 bins with 4 possible answers and a 60” clock to complete

• Questions 4-6 have 3 bins with 3 possible answers and a 75” clock

• Anytime during question 1-6 a contestant pair can use a quick change where they get an extra 30” on the clock to move their money. But they can use the quick change only once during this period

• Question 7 has 2 bins with 2 possible answers and no time limit to answer. After contestants have placed their money they will be given the opportunity to choose a fact about either option A or option B. Once they have chosen and been told the fact they will receive an extra 30” on the clock to move their money.

• TMD will incorporate a roll over scenario where no more than 4 contestant pairs will be shown in an episode. When the time is up for an episode the relevant contestant pair will return to complete the game if they have not done so already.