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  • On October 1, 2023, the Big Brother Naija All-Stars season came to a dramatic close with season under-dog, Ilebaye Odiniya, emerging as the winner of the ₦120m prize ahead of franchise superpowers, Mercy Eke and Cee-C Nwadiora. From the nooks of the internet came a revelation that had X roaring, less than two weeks later.

    Unveiling the tyrannical reign of VVIPs and their misappropriation of funds, a series of tweets, threads and spaces painted the picture of a fandom racket. Everything from buying of votes and “trends” to fan service bordering on celebrity worship, drawing subtle parallels with Nigerian elections.

    Since its inception in 2006 and reintroduction in 2017, Big Brother Naija has attracted massive public engagement across the country and Africa, arguably second to Afrobeats in this regard. BBN fandoms are highly organised and known to go to great lengths to support their faves. They crowdsource for funds and spend tens of millions for anything that’d give their favourite housemates an edge, in and out of the house.

    When “Lockdown” housemate, Erica Nlewedim was disqualified from the show in 2020, fans raised $66k for her because they believed she would’ve been the clear winner — the cash prize was about $100k at the time. Other housemates, Pepper Dem’s Tacha Akide, Lockdown’s Dorathy Bachor, Neo Akpofure and Laycon, and Shine Ya Eye’s Liquorose and Saskay, have each reportedly received a Mercedes Benz from their fans.

    While harmless and even admirable at face value, fandom activities have increasingly transitioned into toxicity and even fraudulent activities over time. On October 12, 2023, just days after the finale of the latest BBN edition, fans came on an X Space to complain about the misappropriation of funds they’d contributed to voting for Mercy Eke. They believed Ilebaye wouldn’t have won if the voting funds were appropriately deployed.

    These complaints opened up a conversation about gross misconduct within the BBN fandom, all seeming to stem from figures known as “VVIPs”.

    The rise of VVIP fans

    VVIPs are fans who are well-known to the general fandom in the BBN social media space. It often starts with them showing up online to support a housemate 24/7 and evolves into a persona other fans rely on for the gist of everything happening in the house.

    Later on, the housemates’ social media handlers start to notice their usernames and interact with them. With this influence, they take up the responsibility of crowdfunding for their faves, actively pushing their matter online and developing an in-person relationship with them. 

    After their faves come out of the house, they become the liaison between them and their fandoms, receiving contributions on their behalf from thousands of fans, organising gifts, passing messages from fans to the BBN stars and more. Some become mini-stars in their own right.

    [ad]

    Once the public witnessed 2017’s “See Gobbe” season finalists, Bisola Aiyeola and Efe Money, become household names — with Bisola transitioning into the highly gatekept Nollywood and Efe having superstars like Olamide, Davido and Wizkid promote his new album — the stakes to win increased. The first VVIPs emerged during the 2018 “Double Wahala” season, with the popularity of housemates like Cee-C, Miracle, Tobi and Alex, and the rush to make sure they won.

    Social media-savvy users with time on their hands decided to spearhead the newfound mission to make stars. However, with each passing season of the reality TV show, general BBN fans have grown wary of these VVIPs, likening them to Ponzi schemers.

    For the 2023 All-Stars’ season alone, fans claimed to have contributed anywhere between ₦4m and ₦50m to VVIPs for votes to make sure Mercy Eke won. According to Mercy and Cee-C fans, if the money was spent on the service, Ilebaye wouldn’t have stood a chance. 

    On the X Space mentioned earlier, fans also claimed they contributed ₦37m as a cash gift to Whitemoney, but he never got it.

    Alleged voting fraud

    The VVIPs often receive money from housemates and their teams or from fans, to set up voting centres. They receive tens of millions of naira to deliver large voting numbers, in a situation that rings similar to the streaming farm conspiracy surrounding the music industry. 

    Online conversations surrounding the All-Stars’ finale revealed cases of VVIPs running away with the money, only spending part of it on the votes and even spending it on other housemates instead. This calls into question the very ethics of buying and selling votes for a competition when in the end, housemates with organic backing almost always win.

    We tried to get the inside scoop from these VVIPs, but they’re as elusive as Big Brother’s identity. Some posted receipts on their X pages to prove the money they received was used appropriately, but the fandom drama continued. One alleged VVIP, X user @mumchomzy, even threw in the towel after facing the wrath of fans.

    She shared multiple receipts and screenshots of text messages. But fans refused to accept she did the work and Mercy still didn’t win. Following the backlash, she hosted a three-hour space to announce the end of her stanship. 

    According to @mumchomzy, VVIPs are at the mercy of sim and voting vendors — people who’ve made a business out of bulk voting by proxy. And the whole process of supporting housemates is simply risky because there was no way to regulate the vendors.

    Rigging the X trends table

    The most popular BBN housemates have been known to feature on or top the X trends table several times. Stars like Tacha, Mercy and OG housemate, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, trend when it’s their birthday or they’re involved in any viral conversation.

    The post-All-Stars BBN fandom conversation exposed another factor that gets housemates on that table — money. According to X users, housemates or their VVIP fans, pay to trend on the popular table that gives general fans bragging rights. Some VVIPs do this by paying influencers or blogs millions of naira to mention their faves enough times on X. 

    Many BBN fans believe this is how housemate, Alex Asogwa, stayed on the trends table during the All-Stars season. While it isn’t fraudulent, fans agree that it further exposes the BBN world as predominantly inorganic. 

    Fans called out X user @princessdaprada — ex-BBN Lockdown housemate, Prince Nelson’s younger sister — after she revealed she’d paid for Alex to trend on the platform. On October 24, in a follow-up Space and X thread, which she’s since deleted, she explained that she didn’t pay specifically for Alex to trend but for a full PR package.

    It’s like a popularity contest where money talks.

    What does any of this mean?

    Is this a call to the organisers of Big Brother Naija, because what can they do about it? There’s nothing moral about reality TV. The working formula is showcasing the worst in people for clicks. If the organisers cared about how fans engaged, winners wouldn’t be up to the public.

    This is more a reality check on the crazy lengths fans will go to for their faves (contributing millions to make other people celebrities, in this economy?)

    Image Source: X.com/@_NiyiDaniels

    It’s a lesson in the wild world of reality TV where anything goes, and fame is up for grabs to the highest bidder.

    We spoke with vocal BBN fans about whether that’ll affect their engagement with future shows, and if they feel like they’ve lost something. X user, @munaliscrys, who’s been voting on and off since the Lockdown season of 2020, shared how she’s always known VVIPs existed and people bought votes, but she didn’t care enough to figure out why. 

    “I knew about the voting scams, but it didn’t make me second-guess anything. I know my vote is doomed from the start. Also, I don’t use my money to vote. I press a couple of things on my phone, and it’s done, so I’m never too pressed about anything that happens afterward.”

    When asked if she’d vote next season after everything we know about the voting racket now: 

    “I won’t think twice about voting. People opened a GoFundMe for Star Girl Erica, so I wasn’t surprised people contribute and spend millions to buy votes. It’s their money, and it feeds my entertainment. If stans want to spend money to make sure my ship continues kissing on my screen, then who am I to complain? BBN scams happen all the time, so this just felt like one of them. It was a bit funny though, can’t lie.”

    Most avid BBN watchers were well aware of the presence of VVIPs and voting rackets before the big showdown on X after the All-Stars finale. Another fan who’s spent money to vote on multiple occasions said, “In fact, I had popcorn ready when everything went down on Twitter (X). But hearing people speak about it directly made the reality of voting different. You really can’t trust every vote-selling vendor. 

    I’ll think twice about voting in the next season. I can’t be voting and some vendor sends me fake proof whilst gathering my money to buy houses and disappear. I also realised Nigerians are rich, and they need to put me on. They’ve got money they want to use just for their entertainment. From the first year I got into BBN till now, I still can’t comprehend it in its entirety. The whole thing is crazy, but not to them and their pocket.”

    Welcome to the showbiz jungle, folks.

    READ THIS NEXT: Timeline of Silence: Why Does Sexual Violence Have Little Consequence?

  • We all know Biggie’s rules. We know what leads to strikes, what can get you warnings, and what should result in Big Brother telling you to get out of his house. But it seems like he’s forgotten. Some things have happened this season, and instead of them ending in disgrace, they’ve been received with grace.

    Ilebaye against the world

    One blessed night, Ilebaye pulled Cee-C’s hair and wrapped her hands around Doyin’s neck. We’re almost certain she would’ve done something to Biggie too, if he’d had enough guts to show his face. 

    Ilebaye got a double strike for that, but according to the rule book, she should’ve returned to her house at once.

    Ike, Ilebaye’s clothes and the dirty bathroom floor

    It doesn’t matter what Ilebaye may or may not have done to Ike, but consciously taking her clothes out of her locker, spreading them on the bathroom floor and denying it afterward was incredibly cruel. The fact that Big Brother only gave him a strike added to the cruelty of it all.

    Seyi

    Yes. Just Seyi. The biggest mistake Big Brother made this season was even letting that man into his house. The second biggest mistake was listening to him talk about women in such a derogatory manner. The third was listening to him talk about training his son to “run trains” on people’s daughters and not immediately opening the door and telling him to get lost.

    Ike stealing coins

    We don’t know if Big Brother now allows theft of personal property in his house. If he’d nicked Ike’s bad behaviour in the bud when the man started breaking into people’s Moniepoint lockers, maybe he would’ve toed the path of caution and acted like one with sense going forward.

    Angel tossing Soma’s clothes on the floor

    They were having a lover’s tiff, and she wanted to take her bracelet back. But we honestly feel that if Angel got some form of punishment for this, then maybe Big Brother would’ve gone harder on Ike’s much worse clothes-throwing act.

    The brotherhood of misogyny

    Apparently, it’s not against the rule book to plan the downfall of your fellow housemates. But Big Brother should’ve given Ike, Pere, Kiddwaya and Cross a strike each, or even a warning, the second he heard them talk about feeding the women alcohol so they can fight each other and go home.

    Pere

    For every time he’s brought out his general addidude, Big Brother should’ve given him a warning. For every time he planned and plotted against the women in the house, he should’ve gotten another warning. And finally, his strike should have come when he called women “disgusting pigs with pussies”. 

    Women have actually seen shege this Big Brother season o.

  • We’re five weeks into Big Brother’s game of wits, foolishness and bad behaviour, and some housemates are already acting like their stardom is fake. We think if they want to stress us and still stress Big Brother in his own house, he should take these housemates out of the ₦120m race.

    Ike

    We get that it’s a game, but does it say somewhere in the rule book that you have to move like a hardened criminal as you play your game. Biggie needs to give him quit notice from his house because his other children are starting to feel unsafe with this man around.

    Seyi

    Have you heard the things Awolowo’s grandson has to say about women? Big Brother needs to show him the back door and send him back to his house, so his queen can continue respecting him.

    Pere

    It’s not like we’re new to Pere’s militant movements, but this season, it’s gotten 500 times worse, and we’re tired of it. He should go start a business and leave Biggie’s house. Moniepoint will help him.

    Venita

    It pains us to say this, but she needs to use the door. One love to her and her Bad Boy Deks’ ship, but she’s fighting every other day and coddling grown-ass men when they act out. It’s time for her to walk the stage and take her Seyi and Ike with her.

    Tolani Baj 

    This one’s not for our sake, but for hers. Big Brother needs to quietly open his doors one night and ask her to just leave the house. Because the way she’s been marking territory with Neo, it’s beginning to give the viewers second hand embarrassment. She can put that energy to better use, like starting a business with Moniepoint. She’s a baddie, so we’ll always buy what she sells.

    Frodd 

    Let’s say the truth. There’s no way Frodd is winning the money, so he needs to just pack his bag and go home to his wife and new baby. He’s taking space in Biggie’s house and stressing us everytime he does too much with the girls. We just want to enjoy the show and not overanalyse every little move he makes. He needs to resume work because diapers and baby formula is expensive o.

    Doyin

    It was good while it lasted, but she’s beginning to give mean girl energy, and no one needs that right now. Shouting “I’m an empath” up and down but saying the meanest, most hurtful things unprovoked? It’s okay, she should go and practice her empathy from her house.

  • I suspected Big Brother had chaos in mind when he revealed the All-Stars line-up this season, and my suspicions have now been confirmed with his latest addition to the house. The house is tipping with tension with these four sets of ex-lovers moving around like they don’t give two shits about each other.

    Tolani Baj and Prince

    A Reunion of the Exes in Biggie House? He's got an Agenda

    Although the self-styled “bad bitch” is moving around with Neo these days, her first love was Prince Nelson. The two were just as painful to watch during the Lockdown season, with Tolani gatekeeping Prince and watching like a hawk if he dared to get close to other female housemates. The relationship barely lasted once they left the BBNaija house, and during their reunion, Prince stated, “I did like Tolanibaj, but she was never satisfied with my actions and everything I did. She wanted me to spend more time with her. I tried to do that and be nicer, but she wasn’t satisfied. It was draining me at the time. No matter how much I tried, it was as if nothing I ever did pleased her.”

    Tolani, on the other hand, mentioned how she regretted having sex with Prince and even accused him of locking lips with Lilo. She said, “I 100% regret it. It was wack, by the way. I really expected more from somebody that ‘carries shoulder’. You should’ve impressed me, but you didn’t.”

    Well, the exes are back in Biggie’s house, and they’ve been avoiding each other but it’s only a matter of time before something happens. Especially since Tolani’s relationship with Neo confirms Prince’s suspicions about her liking him all along.

    Mercy and Ike

    A Reunion of the Exes in Biggie House? He's got an Agenda

    They were the Bonny and Clyde of the Pepper Dem season and even tried to keep the flames of their love burning after they left the BBNaija house. Unfortunately, things didn’t work between the two, and they had a messy breakup that saw them slandering each other on social media and during media rounds.

    But guess who has been reprising their Bonny and Clyde dynamics in the All-Stars house? During her first diary session, Mercy told Biggie she was shocked to see Ike in the house, but she’d resolved to keep the peace. We just didn’t know we’d see the two plotting and even playing cat and mouse occasionally in the house. Even though they’re silently plotting against each other behind their backs, they’re teaching us that you don’t have to be bitter exes. Sorry to Biggie if he had chaos in mind for these two.

    KimOprah and Omashola

    A Reunion of the Exes in Biggie’s House? He's got an Agenda

    Angel and Cross

    A friendship, a situationship or an actual relationship? They’ve called it different names but it doesn’t take away the fact that Cross and Angel were a delight to watch in the Shine Ya Eyes house. I mean, shippers even shipped them as “Crossgel”, but that wasn’t enough glue to keep what they had going.

    During their reunion, both parties exchanged accusations like Valentine gifts, but the ultimate conclusion was that they couldn’t work. They’ve kept their distance since they stepped into the All-Stars house, with Cross even stating that he has no intention of talking to Angel throughout his stay. Unfortunately for him, he also has to watch Angel’s blooming relationship with her new man, Soma. But that’s okay. Even if Angel is in her love bubble, we know she also sees the Cross x Ilebaye situationship.

    We see you for what you are, Big Brother. We see you.

  • If you didn’t know by now, your fave in Biggie’s house says a lot about you. The type of person you are, the type of lover you are, and most importantly, the way you spend your money.  

    Here’s what your fave says about your spending habits:

    Mercy Eke

    Just like Mercy, you enjoy the finer things of life, you tend to spend more on trips, great food, and wonderful experiences.

    Cross

    The only things you spend your money on are food (no fish though), clubs,  and a lot of liquor. In fact, you should probably open a liquor business. It’s okay if you don’t want to do it alone, Moniepoint will help you.

    Soma

    You like to spend on your partner. People don’t look at you to see how much money you have, they look at your ‘darling’, and that’s fine by you.

    TolaniBaj

    You spend like you have an endless supply of money. Anything you want, you get, whether it’s a skill acquisition course, or teeth that glow in the dark. 

    White Money

    The “money” in your fave’s name doesn’t concern you at all. As a matter of fact, that’s the only money you like to show off. The bulk of your earnings goes into a savings account or the business account you opened with Moniepoint.

    Angel

    We can’t lie, your money is long, but you would rather spend it on your family members than yourself. Which explains why you want a partner with money as long as yours. You spend on the people you love, they spend on you. Balance.

    Ike

    You may or may not have money, no one really knows, but we do know that you like to spend other people’s money.

    Kiddwaya

    You have money, and you like it when everyone knows that you have money. So, you spend it on designer clothes, gold furniture, glasses that can double aswindshields, and that apartment you keep in Dubai.

    Frodd

    You’re a silent spender. You make and spend your money silently, nobody has to know your business. If you could, you’d bypass the whole banking system and dig a hole in the middle of your bedroom, but the gold plated tiles won’t let you, so you’ve settled with opening a Moniepoint business account instead.

  • Big Brother’s dashed the housemates the first week in his house, but do they have what it takes to behave themselves and take that ₦120m on day 72? 

    Well, with his new eviction rules, we can’t be sure who’ll emerge winner, but based on these housemates’ past and current behaviours; here are some pretty good guesses

    Princess

    During her season, she left the second the public had a chance to vote. We’re not saying history might repeat itself, but instead of looking for ways to garner the housemate’s pity like Soma, she’s been gliding through the house talking about how Biggie owes her a long stay in his house. 

    Chance of winning the prize money – No offense, but zero. She’s moving like she wants to go back home to rest, and the jury might just grant that wish on Sunday.

    Doyin

    Walking out right behind Princess would most likely be Doyin. Tthe therapist role she’s playing around the house won’t put her name in the housemates’ mouths when it’s “pardon me please” time. 

    Chance of winning the prize money – 1. It might grow, but for now, the jury has no reason to save her.

    Soma

    He can only ride on the housemates’ goodwill for so long. Very soon, they will leave him to fend for himself and once more he would walk out Biggie’s house prematurely.

    Chance of winning the prize money –  3. He’s given us some drama in the house, so the jury might be lenient with him.

    Seyi

    Everyone in the house is friends with Seyi, but there’s a zero percent chance any of the housemates would actually save him in the diary room. And seeing as he’s managed to piss off half the population of voters with his blatant misogyny, he just might be returning to his wife and son soon.

    Chance of winning the prize money – A weak 3. He’s only staying if the members of the jury are his friends.

    Neoenergy

    It’s safe to say that anyone who made it to the finale with 1.94% of the votes during their season would be swallowed during this All-Stars season.

    Chance of winning the prize money – A 3 that might grow if he makes the right alliances and stops letting his cousin fight his battles in the house.

    Tolanibaj

    We won’t lie and say she’s not giving drama  but if that drama doesn’t move on from this mess with Ilebaye and Neoenergy, then she’ll be leaving Biggie’s house two weeks after she came.

    Chance of winning the prize money – A 3. Her chances might grow to a 4 if she finally gives us the ship with Neoenergy we’ve been eyeing since their season.

    Ike

    Yes, his plan this season is obviously to set Biggie’s house on fire, but he only has one true alliance in that house – Venita, so no one else is going to save him.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 4. Unlike the last time, he no longer has the Mercenaries on his side. He should have just stayed home and started a business, Moniepoint would have helped him.

    Ilebaye

    Everyone might be upset about the bullying she’s facing in the house, but the fans pitched their tents five years ago, so the current chances of that outrage translating to votes are slimmer than the chances of Pere letting that “General” name rest.

    Chance of winning the prize money – It’s a strong 4, because while the pity votes might not keep her in the house, the jury might pity her and extend her stay. 

    Kiddwaya

    , Kiddwaya is obviously ready for the game this season. The housemates might never save him, but he’ll probably just keep winning the HOH games or finding the black envelope of immunity.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 4

    Venita

    It’s honestly  50/50 with Venita. On some days, she’s good and everyone likes her, on other days she’s in someone’s face, ready to pounce if they say one wrong word.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 5, she’s a walking drama magnet and she just started a ship with Adekunle, so even if the fans and housemates don’t save her; the jury might. Of course, all this is dependent on how long she can hold herself back from beating someone and getting disqualified.

    Uriel

    After her shenanigans at the last Saturday rave, it’s safe to say Uriel now has a lot more fans than when she first walked into the house.

    Chance of winning the prize money – A very strong 5.

    Adekunle

    Bad Boy Deks came ready this season, and while that can only take him so far with Biggie’s new rules; more people have joined his fan base, and that’s always a good thing.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 6, only because he’s not annoying enough to be on the jury’s chop list.

    Cross

    He might be fun to have in the house and all of that, but he’s sharing fans with like four other housemates. So, sorry to him, and may the jury be in his favor.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 6

    Pere

    His fans seem to like him, which is great for him because the way he’s moving this season, the housemates won’t save him; and if he mistakenly smells bottom four, the jury might send him back to his barracks.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 7

    Angel

    She was a finalist in her season, and she seems to have Twitter on lock. She’s also making strong alliances in the house, so if she ever needs saving, the housemates might just come through for her.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 7

    Alex

    She might not win the money, but she made it to the final five during her season, and that says a lot about her fanbase.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 8

    Frodd

    With the way Frodd has been moving quietly and gently in that house, there’s a chance he just might sneak his way to day 72. Will he win the money? We highly doubt it, but there are no signs that he’ll be returning to his wife anytime soon.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 8

    Whitemoney

    He has a strong fanbase, but there’s the fact he’s sharing those fans with Kiddwaya, and everyone’s had enough of the struggle strategy (which he can’t even try because he just bought a Maybach). He won his season, but now, in the house with all these stars, does he have enough star power to win again?

    Chance of winning the prize money – 9

    CeeC

    She has fans that stuck with her through her season, and since then. The housemates might not save her, in fact, some might try to provoke her into earning a strike, but if she keeps her cool and, her fans will get her to the last day.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 10, as long as she does nothing to sabotage her game.

    Mercy Eke

    She’ll most likely leave the house with Big Brother’s money because if we want to put aside the Mercenaries (her fanbase) she seems like a very likable person. If the housemates decide not to save her — because it’s a game and she’s the strongest contender there — and she somehow ends up in the bottom four, she’s still not going anywhere. “No leave, no transfer” Lambo edition.

    Chance of winning the prize money – 10

    You might not be in the running for that ₦120m, but with Moniepoint, you can start your own business and get your bag.

  • Zikoko sits at their desk, rifling through papers, waiting for 6pm to hit, so they can be free from the clutches of capitalism, when the strong stench of bleach fills the air. They look up and see a toilet float in.

    Zikoko:

    The toilet stops at Zikoko’s desk and descends.

    BBN Toilet: Hi

    Zikoko: Since Monday?

    BBN Toilet: Sorry, I had work.

    Zikoko: So did I.


    BBN Toilet: Yes, but we have different jobs.

    Zikoko: 

    Why are you smiling like that?

    BBN Toilet: Like what?

    Zikoko gestures  at BBN Toilet’s face.

    Zikoko: That. You’ve been shining your teeth since you … floated in.

    (under breath) What am I even doing?

    BBN Toilet: I’m just happy.

    This is the best feeling in the world.

    Zikoko:  Stop. Please, come down.

    BBN Toilet descends with a giggle.

    BBN Toilet: Sorry. Work has been so good lately, I can’t believe my employers love me this much.

    Zikoko: 

    They told you they love you?

    BBN Toilet: Obviously not. I can just feel it.

    Zikoko: Because they hold meetings and cry around you?

    BBN Toilet: You saw it too abi? They love me.

    Zikoko: Maybe you’re just the only place they can get some form of privacy.

    BBN Toilet: 

    Zikoko: Look, I don’t want to sound like a hater, but I swear they were just leaving skid…

    BBN Toilet slams their hands against Zikoko’s table.

    BBN Toilet: That was a mistake, and it got cleared up.

    Zikoko: They throw up in you.

    BBN Toilet: That’s literally what I’m here for. I take their shit and provide them with a listening ear. Why can’t you understand that?

    Zikoko: deep breath

    So, this listening ear, have you always provided it?

    BBN Toilet: I’ve tried, but, no one’s really seen me for me, until this season. You don’t understand, they love me, take care of me

    Zikoko: Again, please remember the skid marks.

    BBN Toilet: Why are you trying to steal my joy? They think of me as a friend.

    Zikoko: Even…

    BBN Toilet: Yes, even when they throw up in me. They bring their face close to me, and caress me …

    Zikoko:

    Okay, thank you so much for coming.

    Zikoko stands up.

    BBN Toilet: I should leave?

    Zikoko: No. Never, I would never chase you away. You can stay and leave when you want. I have some business to take care of, so I’m going.

    BBN Toilet: 

    You’re going to see my friend?

    Zikoko: No.

    BBN Toilet: Yes, you’re going to see my friend that works here. Say hi to them for me.

    Zikoko: I’m not … goodbye.

    BBN Toilet: Bye.

  • Big Brother’s decided to gather all his favourite children together in his house.  Doesn’t matter if the last time he saw you was six years ago or last year, he called, they answered. Obviously, that has changed the dynamics of the game. What we didn’t expect, however, was for them to turn Biggie’s house into a secondary school with their numerous cliques, factions, and general behavior.

     Head Girl

    At Biggie’s school for the stars and star-lites, Mercy’s the resident head girl, and understandably so. She settles fights, treats all the girls like her little sisters, and loves on everyone…that isn’t trying her school daughter.

    Clique – The bad b**ch squad

    Relationship status – Her boyfriend goes to a different school.

     Head Girl’s school daughter

    It’s giving Mercy’s school daughter, but not the kind where everything ends at school. She and Mercy are neighbours, and they do everything together; sneaking out to parties and fighting each other’s battles.  She’s vocal about what she believes in and is president of the Debate, Press, and World Leaders Clubs.

    Clique – The bad b**ch squad

    Relationship status – She says her boyfriend is in another school, but right now, Soma is nice to her, and she likes it.

    Head Boy

    When Mercy contested for her head girl position, Frodd, her bestie, decided to throw his hat into the head boy ring. He’s giving off serious “I can’t come and kill myself” head-boy energy. He just wants to walk in wisdom, tell everyone about his girlfriend, let Seyi (his deputy) do all the heavy work, and treat all the girls in the school like his sisters.

    Clique – He belongs to none, but he belongs to all. 

    Relationship status – His girlfriend goes to a different school.

    Deputy Head Girl

    Venita’s the assistant head girl, so on the rare occasion where people try to undermine Mercy’s authority, she steps right in and calls everyone to order. At the beginning of the term all you had to do was whisper gbas from across the room, and she’d be ready to give you gbos; but now she has a little crush on a junior, and that seems to have calmed her down. 

    Clique – The bad b**ch squad

    Relationship status – In a thing with Junior Adekunle. Don’t ask what it is, but it makes her giddy.

    Social Prefect

    Neoenergy is Venita’s cousin and, in turn, Mercy’s school son. He’s the finest and most popular boy in school; everyone wants him, but he just wants to focus on his books and making his crush girlfriend best friend happy. He’s the social prefect too, and he takes his work very seriously.

    Clique – It’s just him and his bestie.

    Relationship status – He says single, but don’t let his bestie catch you near him.

    Deputy Social Prefect

    Neoenergy’s best friend and the deputy head girl’s school daughter. All the girls in school know not to go near Neo because his best friend has craze and is not afraid to show it. 

    Clique –  It’s just her and her bestie.

    Relationship status – She says single, but we see her around Neoenergy, and it’s not giving single.

    Labour Prefect

    He went to military school for a total of two weeks then transferred to Biggie’s school for stars and star-lites. Since then, he’s been walking around like he owns the place. 

    Clique – The “Na We Dey Run Am” clique

    Relationship Status – None, but we see him with Alex.

    The OG IJGB

    He got back from America five years ago but has refused to let go of his accent. His parents sent him to Nigeria to teach him a lesson, but instead of learning, he’s been scheming, plotting, and stealing from people’s lockers.

    Clique –  The “Na We Dey Run Am” clique

    Relationship status – Single to a blinding stupor

    Mess Hall Prefect

    She’s the hottest babe in the school. She knows what she wants and sorry for you if it’s your man because she will take him . She’s the the Mess Hall Prefect and also president of the Home Maker’s club , so it makes sense that she and Whitemoney get into little arguments every now and again.

    Clique –  None

    Relationship status – Anywhere belle face. Right now, it seems to be in Kiddwaya’s direction.

    Self-proclaimed school therapist

    Junior Doyin believes she knows best, which is probably why she’s appointed herself the role of Ilebaye’s voice of reasoning/therapist/truth talker. All her besties in school are boys. 

    Clique –  D ‘n’ I against the world

    Relationship status – Single, but eyeing Kiddwaya.

    Proprietor’s grandchild

    She’s giving peak “I’m the proprietor’s grandchild”. She likes to talk about how calm she is but always finds herself on the seniors’ floor, causing trouble.

    Clique –  D ‘n’ I against the world

    Relationship status – Single, but if your boyfriend enters her eyes, sorry.

    Deputy Mess Hall Prefect

    He’s the school cook’s son, so it makes sense that he’s the vice president of the Home Maker’s club, and the deputy Mess Hall prefect. He’s always trying to correct Uriel’s recipes, sewing skills, and leadership style. Whitemoney’s also started a small side hustle where he sells jollof rice out of his locker.

    Clique – We don’t know, but it looks like their meeting spot is the kitchen.

    Relationship status – Single.

    The School’s fighting sisters

    They’re half sisters but they can’t stand each other and always carry their beef from house to school. They both belong to the Writer’s club, and every club gathering turns into a Cynthia vs Amuche showdown.

    Clique – They belong to none

    Relationship status – Single, but Cross and Pere, respectively, are on their cases.

    Vice President of Debate Team

    He’s the vice president of the debate team. While he’s nice to all the girls, all he wants to do is read his books and hold Venita’s hand.

    Clique –  None, he’s just observing

    Relationship status – Don’t tell Venita yet, but we think he likes her.

  • Just as we anticipated, Biggie is bringing an interesting twist to the season by introducing the BBNaija All-Stars eviction jury.

    The play here is to bring ex-housemates from different seasons who will deliberate to save one of the housemates from possible eviction. The jury will be presented with a list of the housemates with the least votes for the week. 

    While we wait for Biggie to announce the members of the jury, here’s the Zikoko pick for premium drama.

    Tacha

    Just Imagine These Ex-Housemates on the BBNaija All-Stars Eviction Jury

    Source: Instagram/@symply_tacha

    She was disqualified from the Pepper Dem season, so her chances of making the jury are quite slim. Still if Tacha makes the jury selection, Mercy Eke would not be safe. But then, Mercy is a strong contender and the possibility of her even making the bottom three is almost non-existent.

    Mike Edwards

    Just Imagine These Ex-Housemates on the BBNaija All-Stars Eviction Jury

    Source: Instagram/@aireyys

    Known as the resident sweet boy of his season, Mike has a soft spot for Mercy since they were the last men standing in their season. Mike will fight for Mercy if her name ever pops up for possible eviction.

    Vee

    Just Imagine These Ex-Housemates on the BBNaija All-Stars Eviction Jury

    Source: Instagram/@veeiye

    If there’s one thing we know about Vee, it’s that she won’t attach sentiments to her decisions as a member of the jury. But Neo and Venita should put up prayers if they make the bottom three, just in case.

    Esther

    Just Imagine These Ex-Housemates on the BBNaija All-Stars Eviction Jury

    Source: Instagram/@esther_biade

    It’s hard to forget Frodd and Esther’s falling out during the Pepper Dem reunion. Esther went on and on about how Frodd was a gossip. He mentioned how she moved with “friends in the upper echelon”. Although it’s hard to say if they’re still bitter exes, Frodd should watch his back if Esther makes the BBNaija All-Stars eviction jury.

    Ella

    Source: Instagram/@therealmissella

    She had a nasty falling out with Mercy Eke, and there’s no way her emotions wouldn’t override her decision-making if she’s chosen as a jury member. She also doesn’t have a cordial relationship with anyone in the house, so no one is safe really.

    Ka3na

    Source: Instagram/@official_kaena

    If there’s any prayer request Tolani Baj should be prioritising right now, it’s one against the boss lady Ka3na making the jury selection. The two had a nasty fight their first week in Biggie’s house, and they never saw eye-to-eye till the end of the show. Tbaj is not safe in a world where Ka3na is a juror, period.

    Lucy

    Just Imagine These Ex-Housemates on the BBNaija All-Stars Eviction Jury

    Source: Instagram/@iamlucyedet

    Her iconic statement, “It was a pleasure”, was a culmination of her unpleasant experiences with her fellow housemates in the Lockdown house. Lucy won’t go easy on Kidd, Tolani Baj and Neo if she’s selected as an All-Stars juror.

    Boma

    Boma’s falling out with Angel in the Shine Ya Eyes house makes for one of the most chaotic moments in BBNaija history. Although they seem to have moved past it, Angel might not escape eviction if Boma has to make a decision. Lucky day for Whitemoney and Pere sha. 

    Brighto

    He was such a menace in the Lockdown season that he earned a reputation as the Lord Baelish of Nigeria. Brighto has no sense of allegiance to anybody, and it wouldn’t matter whose head is on the chopping block if he has to make a decision as a juror, he’ll get them evicted with no strings attached.

    Catch the first episode of our new show Zikoko POP! This episode features Adekunle Gold and his top career moments. Watch now on YouTube.

  • It’s been seven days since the BBNaija All-Stars launched and at this point, it’s safe to say Big Brother had absolute chaos in mind when he made the season’s selection.

    BBNaija All Stars Housemates With Pending Beef to Settle

    The housemates are already throwing hints of needing therapy and honestly, we get it. It’s not easy to be in the same space 24/7 with your sworn opp or ex-lover. In case you didn’t know, these are the BBNaija All-Stars housemates who had pending beef before they stepped into the house.

    Ike and Mercy

    Mercy and Ike were the power couple of the Pepper Dem season but the relationship crashed hard when they left the house. They’ve thrown shots at each other on social media and during interviews but nothing over the top. Maybe this explains the reduced tension between them in the house.

    Ceec and Alex

    The duo has gone down in history as the first set to bicker in the All-Stars house but their beef dates back years ago. Alex and CeeC were housemates in the Double Wahala season but they never saw eye-to-eye. It didn’t help that they had a mutual friend in common-Tobi Bakre. 

    Ceec had a situationship with Tobi and Alex also had a strong friendship with him. But things got ugly when Alex frowned at the way Ceec treated her friend, Tobi. All attempts at a resolution in the house and at the reunion fell flat. During the reunion, Ceec also claimed that she found out Tobi and Alex had sex despite their ‘best friends’ tag.

    Doyin and Adekunle

    Their heated gbas-gbos during the last reunion is still fresh in our minds so what exactly is the play here Biggie? Adekunle and Doyin weren’t fans of each other in the Level Up house. For Adekunle, she was always in everyone’s business while Doyin maintains that Adekunle cannot be trusted. Anyway, they’ve both been avoiding each other since they stepped into the All-Stars house and it doesn’t look like there’s going to be a resolution anytime soon.

    Pere and Whitemoney

    If the BBNaija organisers had a play here, it’s falling hard because these guys might have even forgotten they have beef. Pere was Whitemoney’s opp in the Shine Ya Eyes house. He wasn’t a fan of Whitemoney monopolizing the kitchen and he made his dislike crystal clear. The boys are getting along in the All-Stars house sha, even though it might be a fake bromance.

    Neo and Venita

    It’s barely visible but there’s been tension between the cousins before they stepped into the All-Stars house. Venita didn’t approve of Neo’s relationship with fellow housemate Vee Iye inside and outside the BBNaija house, and she occasionally threw shade on social media. Neo didn’t like this and also addressed Venita in a couple of his media rounds. So far, they’ve been cautiously cordial towards each other in the house.