As the countdown to the Big Brother Naija Season 11 premiere begins, fans are preparing for another round of competition, alliances, surprises and unforgettable moments. The new season is scheduled to debut on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with contestants competing for the prize package in reality show’s history, valued at ₦160 million and comprising ₦100 million cash and a brand-new SUV.

Over the years, winning Big Brother Naija has become more than claiming a cash prize. The show has introduced personalities who have gone on to build careers in music, film, television, business, fashion and digital media. While every season has produced memorable housemates, only one contestant has walked away with the title each year.

Here is a look at every Big Brother Naija winner ahead of the Season 11 premiere.

Katung Aduwak (Season 1 – 2006)

Photo: Instagram/@katung_aduwak

Katung Aduwak made history as the first winner of the reality show when it debuted as Big Brother Nigeria in 2006. He received a $100,000 prize after spending 92 days in the house. Following his victory, Katung pursued a career in filmmaking and television production, establishing himself behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Efe Ejeba (Season 2 – 2017)

Photo: Instagram/@efemoney

After an 11-year break, the show returned in 2017 under the Big Brother Naija name. Efe Ejeba won a prize package worth ₦50 million, during the See Gobe season. He captured viewers’ attention with his calm personality and the phrase “Based on Logistics”, which became a popular catchphrase. His victory launched opportunities in music, entertainment and brand partnerships.

Miracle Igbokwe (Season 3 – 2018)

Photo: Instagram/@miracleikechukwu

Miracle Igbokwe entered the house as a pilot in training and eventually won the Double Wahala edition with a prize package of ₦45 million. After leaving the show, he focused on completing his aviation training while remaining active in entertainment and endorsement projects.

Mercy Eke (Season 4 – 2019)

Photo: Instagram/@official_mercyeke

Mercy Eke made history as the first woman to win Big Brother Naija after emerging victorious in the Pepper Dem season where she won a prize package worth ₦60 million. Her victory marked an important moment in the show’s history. She has since established herself as a reality TV personality, actress and entrepreneur.

Laycon (Season 5 – 2020)

Photo: Instagram

Rapper Olamilekan Agbeleshe, popularly known as Laycon, won the Lockdown season with a prize package of ₦85 million after becoming one of the season’s most popular contestants. His popularity continued after the show, leading to music releases, ambassadorial deals and a reality series that followed his life after Big Brother.

Whitemoney (Season 6 – 2021)

Photo: Instagram/@whitemoney

Hazel Oyeze Onou, known as Whitemoney won the Shine Ya Eye season with a ₦90 million prize package after becoming one of the season’s most popular housemates. His cooking skills, humour and personality earned him a loyal fan base. Since winning, he has ventured into music and business.

Phyna (Season 7 – 2022)

Photo: Instagram/@unusualphyna

Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly called Phyna, emerged as the winner of the Level Up season, with a prize package of ₦100 million. Before entering the house, she worked as a hype woman, and her outspoken personality made her one of the season’s standout contestants. After her victory, she secured endorsement deals and expanded her presence in entertainment.

Ilebaye Odiniya (Season 8 – 2023)

Photo: Instagram

The All Stars edition brought together former housemates from previous seasons, but it was Ilebaye Odiniya who claimed the title. Competing against experienced contestants, she won a prize package of ₦120 million and became one of the youngest winners in the history of the show.

Kellyrae Sule (Season 9 – 2024)

Photo: x.com/@kellyrae

Season 9 introduced a paired-housemate format, with Kellyrae entering alongside his wife Kassia as DoubleKay before continuing the competition as an individual contestant and won the season with a prize package of ₦100 million. His victory made him the first champion of the paired-housemate edition.

Imisi Ayanwale (Season 10 – 2025)

Photo: Instagram/@ilebayee

Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, is the defending Big Brother Naija champion. The fashion designer won the 10/10 edition in October 2025, taking home a prize package worth ₦150 million. She now heads into Season 11 as the most recent name on the winners’ list.

As Big Brother Naija returns for its eleventh season, another group of contestants will have the chance to compete for the biggest prize in the show’s history. Whether the next champion becomes a musician, actor, entrepreneur or media personality, they will join a list of winners whose lives changed after stepping into Biggie’s house. By the end of the season, the franchise will have added another chapter to a story that has remained one of Nigeria’s biggest television success stories.

Get ready, Big Brother Naija is officially coming back. MultiChoice Nigeria just announced that Season 11 kicks off on Sunday, July 26, 2026. This time, the stakes are higher than ever, with a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million on the line. It is the largest grand prize in the history of Big Brother Naija, which first debuted in 2006.

According to MultiChoice, this year’s theme, “Everything Is For The Taking,” reflects a season where contestants will have to earn every opportunity in the competition. From the very first day, housemates will have to compete hard to win over viewers and stay in the game.

Photo: Instagram

The total package is made up of N100 million in cold cash plus a brand-new SUV. This is a step up from last season, where the winner, Opeyemi Ayanwale (popularly known as Imisi), walked away with a prize worth N150 million after defeating 28 fellow housemates in the finale on October 5, 2025.

Photo: Instagram

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as host for Season 11, continuing in the role he has held since the show’s revival in 2017. His presence has become a staple of the show, providing the steady hand needed amidst all the house drama.

The premiere night airs at 7:00 PM on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Once the show begins, fans can watch the non-stop action on the 24-hour channels: DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49. You can also catch the drama anytime via the DStv and GOtv stream apps. Before the cameras went live, the journey started months ago. The production team held physical auditions from May 22 to 24 in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. Thousands of hopeful Nigerians showed up, all wanting that one chance to become a household name.

BetPawan Nigeria is the headline sponsor, while Guinness Nigeria and Minimie Nigeria have signed on to support as well. Expect these brands to show up in the weekly tasks and house challenges.

The season will last for ten weeks. Once again, the nation will be glued to their screens, waiting to see which housemate manages to beat the competition and secure that life-changing N160 million jackpot. The season will run for 10 weeks, with viewers watching to see which housemate emerges as the winner of the record-breaking ₦160 million grand prize.

The BBNaija Season 10 Reunion has opened with heightened tension, and fans are here for every moment of it.

One of the biggest talking points from the reunion was the heated clash between Big Soso and Thelma. The drama erupted after Thelma became emotional while discussing her fallout with Isabella. Things escalated quickly, when Big Soso stepped in to defend her friend, referenced that her net worth and UK based business placed her on a different level.

Photo: Instagram

Thelma, however, challenged the intervention. She accused Big Soso of inserting herself into a fight that had nothing to do with her, turning an already tense conversation into one of the tense exchanges.

More charged exchange of the reunion, Mide and Zita revisited their unresolved issues from the house. Mide denied the allegations that she made colourist remarks and insisted she was never condescending toward her fellow housemate.

The reunion teaser also hinted at further confrontation, involving several housemates. Kola and Doris revisited their failed connection. Viewers got a glimpse of unresolved relationship tensions, sharp exchanges, and accusations exchanged across the reunion stage.

Photo: Instagram

Imisi delivered one of the reunion’s widely circulated moments, calling out a fellow housemate during a fiery confrontation that quickly sparked online reactions.

As an alliance shift and old conflicts, resurface, the BBNaija Season 10 Reunion continues to unfold with unresolved tensions still taking center stage.