As preparation for the ninth edition of the biggest reality TV show, Big Brother Naija has begun, let’s take a look at the previous winners from the last eight seasons.
Big Brother Naija, formerly known as Big Brother Nigeria, is a Nigerian reality competition television series, based on the Big Brother television franchise, in which, contestants live together in a home and try to out-compete one another in exchange for cash and other rewards.
A number of the show’s contestants impressed both biggie and the viewers with their intelligence, while others have shown that they have a great sense of humor and general coolness.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether a contestant doesn’t win the jackpot, they still can get a million-dollar deal out of it.
The first edition of the BBNaija show, was held in 2006. Thereafter, the show took a 10-year break and relaunched in 2017. Since then, it has run nine editions.
Each editions since inception has produced winners. While some of the past winners have remained in the limelight, fans are wondering where the others are.
Here are the previous winners:
Season 1 winner (Katung Aduwak)
The 26-year-old Aduwak was named the winner of the event hosted by Michelle Dede and Olisa Adibua, the very first season on June 4, 2006, with a take home prize of $100,000. 11 years later, he revealed that the key to succeeding in the show was to him, in being oneself and also being strategic.
The Kaduna State-born scriptwriter, movie producer and director is currently the CEO of One O Eight Media and African Partner for Campfire Media.He is married to Raven Taylor-Aduwak and they have a son together.
Season 2 winner (Michael Ejeba “Efe Money”)
Efe Michael Ejeba, known simply as Efe or Efe Money, was the winner of the Big Brother Naija season 2 (See Gobbe edition) with a take home home of 25 million naira which was aired on Dstv and Gotv channels between 22 January and 9 April 2017.
Efe is a singer, media personality and rapper, while in the house he entertained viewers with his raps and his slogan, “Based on logistics”, which became an anthem after he won show.
After winning the Big Brother Naija show, Efe went on to release songs like “Warri” and “Campaign”. He has also dropped projects including “Am Sorry Am Winning”, “Nonstop”, among others. In 2018 he became African Ambassador for Indian Varsity.
He released his latest album “Stubborn Boy” in 2022.
Season three winner (Miracle)Miracle Igbokwe is one winner of the BBNaija show who has stayed away from all the limelight and celebrity drama associated with the show.
After he won season 3 of the show, Double Wahala edition, with 25 million naira cash prize which aired from 28 January to 22 April 2018, he was appointed education ambassador for Imo State under the then Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Thereafter, the Imo State-born, who was then an aspiring pilot, took his prize money, ploughed it into his aviation studies and went back to a private life.In March this year, he announced that he is now a certified pilot after he shared picture of him a an airplane.
Season Four winner (Mercy Eke)
She was the winner of the Big Brother Naija Season four Pepper Dem edition, which aired from 30 June to 6 October 2019. She went home with a cash prize of 30 million naira including an SUV car from innoson motors.
She made history as the first woman to win the reality show.
While on the show, the Imo State-born Mercy, known by fans as Lambo or Queen of Highlights, struck a relationship with a fellow housemate, Ikechukwu Onyeama. The relationship flourished after the show until the pair split in 2020.
Since she won the show, Mercy has been an influencer and brand ambassador for different companies and brands. She also ventured into Nollywood where she made her acting debut in the movie “Fate of Alakada”. She also featured in “Shanty Town” released in 2023.
In March 2020, Mercy received the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) for best dressed female.
Mercy Eke also appeared in Biggie’s house as a housemate for the Big Brother All Stars edition where she became the first runner up.
Season 5 winner (Laycon)
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba, popularly known as Laycon, was the winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 5, the Lockdown edition.
He won the show by scoring a record 60 percent of votes cast during the grand finale of the show with a cash prize of 30 million naira.
After winning the Big Brother season 5, the singer, rapper, songwriter and media personality who is signed to Fierce Nation featured on DJ Neptunes and Joeboy’s “Nobody Icon” remix.
He also released “Wagwan” and “Fall for Me” in 2021. The same year he released his debut album, “Shall We Begin”, and it peaked at number 9 at the Nigerian album charts and Number 1 on the Nigeria iTunes album chart.
Laycon, who is also an influencer, ambassador for companies including Lipton, launched his own reality show “I am Laycon”, which aired on Showmax and became the most streamed show in Nigeria on the platform.
A sickle cell advocate, he also released his second album, “Bioba”, while announcing that he had graduated from Portsmouth University with a Master’s in International Relations.
Season six (Whitemoney)
Hazel Oyeze Onou, popularly known as Whitemoney, was the winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 6: Shine Ya Eye edition, which aired between 24 July and 3 October 2021 with a cash prize of 30 million naira including a car and a house key.
After winning the Big Brother Naija show, the singer, songwriter and businessman ventured into many businesses also became an ambassador to various brands and companies.
He has continued with his music career and has released some songs, including his first official single “Selense”.
Whitemoney also appeared as a housemate in Big Brother Naija All Stars edition but was evicted during the live eviction on week 8.
Season 7 winner (Phyna)
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, known as Phyna, emerged as the winner of the 7th season of the show, surpassing 27 other contestants.
Her victory was accompanied by various prizes, including N60 million cash, a brand new car, a luxurious trip for two to Dubai, and other gifts, combining to form a grand prize valued at N100 million. Phyna is also an actress and an influencer.
Season 8 winner (Illebaye)
The season eight edition of big brother naija was the all stars edition which premiered on Sunday 23 July 2023 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.
The ‘All Stars’ edition featured carefully selected housemates and fan favourites from previous editions of the show which includes See Gobbe, Double Wahala, Pepper Dem, Lockdown, Shine Ya Eye and Level Up.
The all stars season had Twenty two year old Ilebaye Odiniya emerge winner with the whooping Cash prize of 120 million naira.
Illebaye won by securing more votes than the first female winner of the reality show Mercy Eke who took the first place.
Meanwhile anticipation is on the rise as lovers of the reality TV show cannot wait for the ninth edition of the show.
BBNAIJA had on March announce a come back with a brand new season and assures it’s viewers it’s going to be filled with 24/7 drama.
The reality TV show will follow the lives of new people as they interact, battle and compete with each other to win the grand prize of N120 million.