Big Brother Naija, formerly known as Big Brother Nigeria, is a Nigerian reality competition television series, based on the Big Brother television franchise. On the show, contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize and other material prizes at the end of the show, by avoiding being evicted from the house by viewers who vote for their favourite housemates to remain in the show.[1]
The first season of the show first aired on M-Net and DStv Channel 37 from 5 March to 4 June 2006. The voting results were verified by the auditing company of Alexander-Forbes.[2]
The first season of the show first aired on DStv Channel 37 from 5 March to 4 June 2006. In a twist to the game, two new contestants were introduced on Day 23, much to the excitement of the remaining housemates.
Ebuka, the most popular housemate for several weeks into the show and widely believed to emerge the winner was the seventh housemate to be evicted; many viewers blame the Joe's Fan Club (JFC) for his eviction. Joe himself was soon evicted from the show.
Big Brother added another twist to the game on Day 79 by cancelling the day's scheduled nominations and making the housemates believe they will instead be evicted based on their performances on assigned tasks, while in reality, no more evictions were held, and viewers began voting for the winner who turned out to be 26-year-old Katung Aduwak.
The second season of Big Brother Nigeria (entitled Big Brother Naija) premiered 11 years after the first season on 22 January 2017 with 14 housemates; 7 male housemates and 7 female housemates. The season was sponsored by Nigeria's eCommerce Company Payporte and hosted by former housemate Ebuka from season one. Efe Ejeba from Delta State emerged winner of the second season in 2017.[4]
The third season of Big Brother Nigeria (entitled Big Brother Naija) premiered on 28 January 2018 with 20 housemates; 10 male housemates and 10 female housemates. The season was sponsored by Nigeria's eCommerce Company Payporte and hosted by former housemate, Ebuka. Miracle Igbokwe from Imo State emerged winner of the third season in 2018.[5]
The fourth season of Big Brother Nigeria (entitled Big Brother Naija), unlike previous years, the stage is set in Lagos, Nigeria.[6] The show premiered on 30 June 2019 with 21 housemates entered the house and 5 more housemates entered the house a month later.[7] Multichoice announced in March 2019 that it would broadcast the show on DSTV channel 198 and Gotv channel 12.[8]
Mercy Eke was crowned the winner of the fourth season. She also became the first female winner of the reality TV show in Nigeria.[9] She received ₦60 million worth of prizes.[10] She is from Imo State
The sixth season of Big Brother Nigeria (entitled Big Brother Naija), had a double premiere on 24 July 2021 and 25 July 2021 with 22 housemates.[13] Four new housemates were added to the game on Day 14.[14]
The seventh season of Big Brother Nigeria (entitled Big Brother Naija), had a double premiere on 23 and 24 July 2022 with 24 housemates.[17][18] Two new housemates joined the season on Day 7 and another two joined on Day 14. Ijeoma Josephina "Phyna" Otabor was crowned the winner of the seventh season, And won 100 million naira.
The eighth and All-Star season of Big Brother Naija (entitled Big Brother Naija All Stars), premiered on 23 July 2023 with 20 housemates. It included ex housemates and fan favorites from previous seasons of Big Brother Naija. Ilebaye Odiniya was crowned the winner of the eighth season and won 120 million naira.
The ninth season of Big Brother Naija premiered on 28 July 2024, it lasted for 71 days, with a total of 28 housemates coming in 14 pairs. Kingsley "KellyRae" Sule was crowned the winner and won the grand prize of 100 million naira—comprising 65 million naira in cash, along with other enticing rewards.[19][20]
