Following the screening process across Nigeria from Tuesday, September 14 to Friday, September 17, 2021, 40 shortlisted contestants have emerged for the Gulder Ultimate Search season 12; The Age of Craftsmanship.

The atmosphere was buoyant as the controlled crowd full of young men and women went through extensive medical examinations. The exercise took place in Abuja, Enugu, and Lagos as successful applicants who had completed the first online process underwent a physical and medical screening.

More than 200 applicants who passed the online stage appeared in each of the screening centres where they underwent a series of physical and mental exercises, swimming, and a robust medical examination, which includes but not limited to Covid-19 tests to ensure they are fully fit. About 80 people moved to the swimming stage before a final 40 emerged.

The shortlisted contestants would undergo a final selection process before going to the Gulder Ultimate Search camp expected to begin on October 16, 2021.

Despite the seriousness of the exercise, some applicants provided comic relief as they struggled to perform up to the high-level expectation of the team of experts in charge of the screening.

Those who could not perform at the required level were removed from the process while others moved to the swimming stage before the final shortlist.

Sade Morgan, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, expressed satisfaction with the process and thanked all members of the team for a well-coordinated job.

“We knew from the number of online applications received that we were expecting a large number of qualified applicants. We had to raise the bar before we were able to narrow the number of shortlisted persons to 40.”

She added “We’d like to commend the applicants who showed up, and of course congratulate the final shortlist. The reports we have heard across board are that they did a superb job of obeying all the medical and security processes to ensure proper social distancing and integrity of conduct during the exercises.”

With the show set to air on DSTV from October 16, interest has already piqued both online and offline. The show is expected to surpass previous years in terms of viewership and reclaim its position as arguably Nigeria’s best reality TV show.