Big Brother Naija: How the Show Boosted the Careers of Past Winners

Big Brother Naija: How the Show Boosted the Careers of Past Winners

Five years ago, MultiChoice Nigeria announced the return of the Big Brother Nigeria to DStv and GOtv screens in January 2017. The first edition was in 2006 where Katung Aduwak beat 13 other housemates to emerge winner. That same season had the current host of the reality TV show Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as a housemate.

The return in 2017 broke an 11-year hiatus and marked the beginning of a home-grown show that was made for Nigeria and viewed across Africa.

The new and revamped Big Brother Naija See Gobbe edition in 2017 signalled two things: viewers' access to undiluted entertainment and the birth of new superstars. For 78 days, viewers were enthralled by the lives of 14 housemates pooled from different parts of the country. Their ability to live with one another in a confined space for the duration of the show required them to be tolerant while expressing creative talents to woo public votes.

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Big Brother Naija: How the Show Boosted the Careers of Past Winners

The 'See Gobbe' edition saw Efe Ejeba take the crown as the BBNaija second season winner. An aspiring musician, Ejeba used the platform to promote his music and gain popularity.

"I’ve utilized the fame in solidifying my brand as a music artist reaching a wider audience and inspiring the youths with my personality.

The biggest impact of the show on my career is the increase in value of my career both socially and financially as a result of participating and winning the show," said Ejeba who walked away with an SUV and N25 million in a recent chat.

Indeed, viewed by millions of fans spread across the continent, Big Brother Naija is a viable platform to showcase one's talents. This is often seen in the manner of tasks the invisible Big Brother Naija give to the housemates. Each of these tasks is often tied to the culture of the country, thereby fostering national integration as viewers and housemates learn the different cultural values of ethnic groups.

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On the pop culture scene, Big Brother Naija took the celebrity culture fandom to another level. Fans of the show using social media compete fiercely to keep their favourite housemates on the show. In addition, they creatively brand themselves in a way to distinguish their fan base from the rest. This was seen majorly in the third season of the show themed 'Double Wahala'. The show gave birth to the Spartans, the fan club of one of the trending housemates Cynthia 'Cee-C' Nwadiora who became the first runner-up of the season.

Twenty housemates entered the house and played the game in pairs. Miracle, a Nigerian pilot and model won the prize for the season, smiling home with a N25 million cheque, a Hyundai SUV, and a trip to an exotic location for two people.

In the history of Big Brother Naija, the fourth season of the show will be remembered for many things. First, it was the first time a Big Brother House was built in Nigeria. It was designed and built to be bigger and better than any of the Big Brother Africa or Mzansi houses.

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Each season has seen the house modified and redecorated to suit the theme.

With the new house, the calendar of the show was affected. The previous seasons were held in January but recent editions now fall between June and July.

The fourth season, themed 'Pepper Dem', was the first time a female winner clinched the prize. Mercy Eke, a video vixen stole the spotlight from 21 housemates to earn N60 million worth of prizes from the long list of sponsors including Bet9ja, the lead sponsor.

"I’m grateful to have been on such a platform. I have always been a business-minded person and I always thought big in doing business. I have opened my luxury clothing line, had the opportunity to represent amazing brands to date, and opened my real estate business," enthused Eke.

With the pandemic shutting down the world last year, it was uncertain if the show would return to the screen. But the organisers MultiChoice Nigeria surprised fans by returning with a Lockdown edition that witnessed Laycon becoming the winner. Laycon walked home with N85 million worth of prizes and his fans known as Icons competed fiercely with Elites, the fan base of the disqualified housemate Erica Nlewedim.

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"I have a very intimate relationship with my fans," said Laycon. "My fanbase was always called the icons before the show, but it grew exponentially after and they’ve followed and supported me on every step I take."

The Lockdown season also recorded the highest number of votes: 900 million.

Each of these winners has leveraged on the platform to promote their talents and businesses. Now that the sixth season has kicked off, it remains to see which of the 22 housemates will wear the Big Brother Naija crown at the end of 72 days.

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Source: Legit.ng

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