BBNaija: Where are the past winners?

The sixth season of Big Brother Naija, Multichoice Nigeria sponsored reality television show, recently premiered with 22 competitors, comprising 11 female and 11 male contestants. These contestants compete for a 90million Naira grand prize. The hit reality television show has been a household favourite over the years, and the enormous success the show has given to past housemates has made us wonder where the previous winners are today. In this report by MAXIM DUNDUN, eelive.ng looks at winners from the past five seasons and where they are now

Season 1 (2006) – Katung Aduwak

The first season of Big Brother Naija aired in 2006, and it was known at the time as Big Brother Nigeria. 26- years- old  Katung Aduwak won the first season of the show with a $100,000 grand prize. He has subsequently branched out into digital journalism and storytelling, which he uses to promote human rights and equality. He also directed and produced two films, “Unwanted Guest” and “Heaven’s Hell.”

Aduwak still has fans and supporters, as well as a strong social media presence, although it is worth noting that he isn’t the most successful housemate after the programme Ebuka Obi Uchendu, the host of Big Brother Naija and brand ambassador to many notable brands such as H20, appears to be the most notable housemate remaining in the show business from the 2006 set. He is followed by Gideon Okeke, the award-winning Nollywood actor.

Season 2 (2017) – Michael Efe Ejeba

Big Brother Nigeria’s first season aired over a decade ago, and the show was renamed Big Brother Naija. It debuted in January 2017 with the theme “See Gobe” and included 22 contestants, competing for the N25 million top prize. Efe Ejeba emerged winner of the second season and many people were rooting for him after the show to see him succeed. He mentioned getting into the music business after the house. Following his victory in the competition, he relocated from Jos to Lagos to launch his music career.

The rapper launched an EP titled “Lagos EP.” He also worked with renowned rapper Olamide on the tune “Warri.” He released additional songs such as “Based on Logistics” and “I Love You.”  Based on his performance in the house, Ejeba’s music career has struggled more than expected and was rumoured to be broke at some point. It should be noted that  Bisola Aiyeola, a significant personality in the entertainment industry and brand ambassador, is arguably the most prominent housemate from the 2017 class. Two other housemates,  Giffty and Uriel, have gone on to become social media influencers.

Season 3 (2018) – Miracle Igbokwe

The  reality show resumed for its third season on January 28, 2018, with the theme “Double Wahala.” Twenty roommates fought for a monetary reward of N25 million. Miracle Igbokwe took home the grand prize at the end of the season. He was given a brand new Hyundai Tucson SUV, a N25 million cheque, household goods worth N3 million, and a trip to an exotic destination for two, totalling N45 million in rewards.

After winning the competition, he travelled to South Africa to attend an aviation school in order to follow his goals to become a pilot

Igbokwe was certified as an “Instrument Rated” pilot in 2019 and has remained out of the spotlight since the programme. He also did not attend the reunion show, which brought most of his mates together. Ceecee, Tobi Bakre, Nina, Teddy A, and Bambam are the most well-known housemates following the show. Teddy A and Bambam married after the show and have a daughter together. The 2017 edition produced a fairly more significant number of enduring celebrities and this sparked a larger interest in the programme.

Season 4 (2019) – Mercy Eke

Big Brother Naija’s fourth season premiered on June 30, 2019, with the theme “Pepper Dem.” In contrast to previous seasons, which were relayed from South Africa the show was held in Nigeria for the first time and televised over 99 days.  The choice of Nigeria followed a big row created by Nigerian authorities, which insisted that the country could not continue to be shortchanged of the ancillary economic benefits that attend the show.  Nigeria does not only have the highest numbers of viewers, all the contestants were Nigerians in line with the name of the show. The audience witnessed 26 contestants compete for N60 million in rewards in this season.

At the end of the show and a stiff battle, which led to the suspension of Anita Natasha Akinde, who was one of the top contenders for the first spot, Mercy Eke was crowned winner. With that, Eke became the first lady to win the show taking home N60 million in total, including N30 million in cash, N25 million in Innoson Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a trip to Dubai alongside other incentives.

Eke is arguably the first winner of the show to achieve visible success beyond the show; she has a massive social media presence to this day and continues to represent major label names such as “Teji Gold”, “Royal Hairs”  and much more. After the 2019 season, She has been spotted flaunting her accomplishments, which include the purchase of a home in the up brow Lekki area of Lagos on Instgram. She and her on-screen love interest, Ike, have also gone on to start their own reality program, “Mercy & Ike”. which ended abruptly after the couple split. Miss Eke also established her own real estate firm, Lambo HomesEke remains a fan favourite and the most visible housemate of the 2019 set

Season 5 (2020) – Olamilekan Agbeleshebioba ( Laycon)

After 71 days of a fierce battle in Big Brother Naija Season 5 “Lockdown,”  26-year-old Laycon was named winner. He took home N85 million in total, including N30 million in cash, a two-bedroom condominium, a brand new SUV, and a vacation to Dubai, among other incentives.

Laycon has subsequently had some success in the music industry. His popular song “Who is Laycon?” went viral when he was in the Big Brother house, with millions of people listening to it. He has thereafter engaged in a number of collaborations with major industry personalities, such as his song “verified” with Mayorkun. After the show, the 2020 set was loaded with a lot of successful housemates, and it’s worth mentioning that Erica Nlewedim and Nengi Hampson, among others, had huge success stories to tell. Miss Nlewedim, most popularly referred to as Erica emerged as the biggest winner. Fans have showered her with gifts ranging from a car to a mansion, demonstrating their support. since her followers still adore her and she remains in the spotlight to this day.