Martins Iyeh and Ijeoma Mercedes Emi have been evicted from the Big Brother Naija Season 11 house, becoming the first two housemates to leave the reality show.

Their exit came during the live show on Sunday, August 9, with Martins announced as the first housemate to be evicted before Mercedes followed. It was the first double eviction of the “Show Ya Sef” season, bringing an end to their stay in Biggie’s house just two weeks after the show premiered on July 26.

Photo: Instagram/@mercedesbbn

A total of 16 housemates had been placed on the eviction list ahead of the live show. When the voting results were announced, Martins recorded 1.63 per cent of the votes, while Mercedes polled 2.29 per cent. Keivo, who was also among those at risk, narrowly escaped eviction with a vote of 2.92 per cent, putting him ahead of both Martins and Mercedes. The result secured his place in the house for another week, while the other two housemates were asked to leave.

Nomy also received the season’s first strike, which Big Brother described as her final warning. The punishment came after Big Brother summoned the housemates and addressed Nomy over repeated violations of his instructions.

Photo: Instagram/@officialnomy

According to the explanation given during the show, Nomy had repeatedly failed to follow Big Brother’s instructions in the house. Big Brother made it clear that the housemates are expected to obey his directives rather than decide which instructions they want to follow. The strike further breaches potentially putting her position in the show at greater risk.

With Martins and Mercedes gone, 22 housemates remain in the Big Brother Naija Season 11 house.

The race for the Big Brother Naija Season 11 grand prize took another turn on Monday night as Sheba emerged victorious in the Week 2 Head of House challenge, securing immunity from this week’s eviction and taking control at a crucial stage of the competition.

Her win makes her the first female housemate to claim the Head of House title this season, ending Chimsom Chuka’s reign after he held the position during the first week. Beyond the prestige that comes with the role, the victory guarantees Sheba safety from Sunday’s eviction, allowing her to focus on steering her game while others battle to remain in the house.

Photo: Instagram

As part of the Head of House process, Sheba exercised one of the powers attached to her new position by saving Chimsom Chuka from possible eviction. The move reshaped the nomination lineup and left 16 housemates facing the public vote, setting up what is expected to be one of the season’s most competitive eviction rounds so far.

While many contestants now depend on viewers to keep their journey alive, not everyone is at risk. Aikou and Flora remain protected under the season’s “The Gambit” twist, a game-changing element introduced during the premiere that continues to influence nominations and eviction outcomes.

Monday’s live show also introduced another layer to the week’s events with Nomy named the Week 2 Bench Warmer, adding yet another talking point as relationships and strategies continue to evolve inside the house.

Photo: Instagram/@shebagamde

Sheba’s victory comes at a time when alliances are still taking shape and housemates are beginning to understand the realities of the competition. Holding the Head of House title not only offers safety but also places her under greater scrutiny as fellow contestants and viewers watch how she manages the responsibility.

With nominations now settled, attention shifts to Sunday’s live eviction show, where the public will decide which housemates remain in contention for the Season 11 title. For those on the nomination list, the coming days will be critical as they campaign for votes and fight to keep their Big Brother Naija dream alive, while Sheba watches the drama unfold from the safety of the Head of House seat.

Twenty-four housemates walked into the Big Brother Naija house on July 26 with the mindset they knew the rules of the game. By last Sunday, Biggie had a different plan entirely.

The season’s first live show brought no eviction. While the housemates believed their nominations would send someone home, the night instead introduced the season’s first major twist, The Gambit, handing two housemates a prize that comes with a serious catch.

Meet Flora and Aikou, the first housemates to test out BBNaija Season 11’s strangest twist yet.

Photo: Instagram/@bigbrothernaija

Flora Egbedi, a makeup entrepreneur from Delta State, took the female slot with and received the highest female vote, a clear lead over Ricky and Abi, who both trailed behind her in the final count. She’s already known in the house for saying what’s on her mind without flinching and for a genuine love of fashion that shows in everything she wears. Ask her about her love life, though, and she’ll tell you straight up: it’s complicated.

Photo: Instagram/@bigbrothernaija

On the male side, Amyr Yousufzai, known simply as Aikou, pulled in 9.10 percent of the votes to claim his spot. A 25-year-old freelance teacher and web developer from Abuja, Aikou describes himself as calm and outspoken, a bookworm who’s perfectly fine with his own company and has made it clear he has zero patience for dishonesty.

Winning The Gambit sounds like a blessing, but it comes with a sting. Flora and Aikou are now guaranteed to stay in the house until the grand finale with immunity from eviction and untouchable by nominations. Yet neither of them can walk away with the ₦160 million grand prize. They’ll live, laugh and strategize alongside housemates chasing a jackpot that’s no longer theirs to win.

For now, both Flora and Aikou remain full participants in every task and challenge, with Biggie confirming they’ll take on extra assignments as part of their new status. Fans on social media are already split over whether the pair got the better end of the deal.