After a 10-week rollercoaster of entertainment, drama, emotion, and fun, Imisi has been named the winner of Big Brother Naija season 10 in a glittering two-hour finale. Born Opeyemi Ayanwale, the 23-year-old from Oyo State beat out 28 competitors to walk away with the highest-ever prize in the show’s history: a win worth a staggering N150-million (N80-million in cash).
Imisi’s runner-up was Dede, making for an all-female top two – for the second time in the show’s history. Completing the top 5 were Koyin, Sultana, and Kola. Evicted earlier in the evening were Kaybobo, Isabella, Mensan, and Jason Jae, who rounded off the top nine housemates (this was following Faith’s disqualification earlier in the week).
Before announcing the winner, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu brought out the ladies for their final interviews on the BBNaija stage. “Both of you have a lot of followers, a lot of fans and supporters, but unfortunately only one person’s name is inside here,” he said, waving around the envelope with the winner’s name inside it. “You guys have fought a good fight, you’ve survived 10 weeks, but only one of you can take it.”
Ebuka asked the finalists how they were feeling, and an emotional Imisi said: “I’m so excited. I never see myself in the top two. Words can’t even express what’s going on in my mind – I am so overwhelmed right now.”
When asked what she would do with the prize money just moments before she won, Imisi said she would take her family out on a date, and then she would “have a good sleep and think about the whole thing because right now my emotions are not really processed”.
As soon as Ebuka announced her as the winner, Imisi fell to her knees in tears. It was a beautiful end to what has been a spectacular tenth season of the much-loved reality competition show. The finale live show opened with a spirited performance from superstar Adekunle Gold singing Coco Money – a fitting choice of song. The BBNaija stage was later electrified by Iyanya as he performed One Side before Adekunle returned to sing Many People.
Ebuka also wasn’t alone in his hosting duties – joining from the fan park broadcast was Jara co-host and Big Brother Africa season 5 winner, Uti Nwachukwu.
He spoke to Tope Oshunkeye, Executive Head of Marketing, West Africa at MultiChoice, who said: “On behalf of my colleagues and the production team, thank you to all the viewers and customers for their unwavering support all through the season. For us, the real win is really how the format continues to evolve. We’re pulling massive engagement and community across TV, streaming and social. It’s been a 10/10 impact and we love it.”
Earlier in the evening, Biggie had addressed the top nine while they were still in the house, and he had some words of praise and encouragement for them all as they embarked on their new journeys. “Take a good look around you: this is no longer just a house, but the stage where legends are made… You do not sit here as mere housemates, you sit as finalists – the very heartbeat of a season the world will never forget. A truly 10/10 season.”
He continued: “Housemates, 10 is a symbolic and significant number… it represents the new beginning that awaits you on the outside world, the beginning of your lives as celebrities, the beginning of your greatness, and of the best years of your lives.”
It echoed what Ebuka later said during the finale: “If anyone tells you that their fave carried the show, it’s a lie. All 29 of these housemates gave us a show.”
The housemates – and our incredible host, of course – brought the flame this season. Big Brother Naija season 10 really was 10/10 – no notes!
