ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Anambra-born pharmacist and actor, Chimsom Chuka, has emerged as the first Head of House in the 11th season of Big Brother Naija, earning immunity from eviction for the week in the show’s opening challenge.

Big Brother announced Chimsom as the winner after he recorded the fastest overall time in the inaugural Head of House task held on Monday, the first full day of the competition.

The challenge saw the male housemates compete against one another while the female contestants also battled separately before the best performers were compared to determine the winner.

Abi, a chef and model from Osun State who finished second overall, was named the Deputy Head of House.

Unlike previous editions of the reality show, the winner will not automatically occupy the luxurious Head of House loft this season.

Instead, Big Brother introduced a new twist, requiring Chimsom to pick a housemate through a lucky dip to enjoy the privilege.

After selecting from a yellow lucky dip box, Chimsom picked Tram, who was immediately granted access to the Head of House loft for the week. Tram subsequently chose Sheba to share the apartment with him.

Although he will not stay in the Head of House residence, Chimsom retains the major advantage of the position, immunity from this week’s eviction, alongside other leadership privileges and a special treat from Big Brother.

The development marks one of the biggest twists introduced in the newly launched season, separating immunity from occupancy of the exclusive Head of House quarters.

Before entering the house, the 27-year-old described himself as someone who remains calm under pressure and intended to stay authentic throughout the competition.

“The biggest strength I have is being myself,” he said in his pre-show introduction, adding that he hoped viewers would connect with his genuine personality rather than a manufactured game plan.

As of the time of filing this report, the housemates were still participating in the nomination process for possible eviction later in the week.

The 24 contestants are competing for the show’s grand prize of ₦160 million in the “Show Ya Sef” edition of the reality television programme.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Big Brother Naija 2026 housemate, Aikou, has continued to attract attention inside the house, with fellow contestants appearing eager to learn more about him.

A viral clip circulating on social media showed several housemates engaging Aikou in an extended conversation, asking him a series of questions about his background, experiences and personality.

The interaction sparked reactions online, with many viewers suggesting that Aikou’s unique personality and composure have made him one of the most intriguing contestants in the house so far.

In the video, the housemates appeared fully engrossed as Aikou shared details about himself, with some of them repeatedly seeking clarification and asking follow-up questions.

The moment has since generated buzz among BBNaija fans, many of whom described Aikou as one of the standout personalities of the season and predicted that his growing popularity could influence dynamics in the house.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Big Brother Naija officially returned on Sunday night with the launch of its 11th season. Twenty-four contestants, who will compete over the next 72 days for a record grand prize worth ₦160 million, were unveiled.

Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the new edition is themed “Everything Is For The Taking”, also known as “Show Ya Sef”, and promises bigger rewards, fresh twists and a redesigned house as contestants battle for the coveted title.

The eventual winner will walk away with ₦100 million in cash and an SUV, making it the largest prize package in the history of the reality television franchise.

The premiere introduced viewers to contestants drawn from different professions and backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, lawyers, creatives, broadcasters, students, engineers and business owners, all hoping to outwit one another in the coming weeks.

Housemates

Among the first housemates to enter the house was Tram, a 24-year-old streamer from Lagos, who made it clear that his focus was winning the competition rather than finding romance. He was followed by Temi Nkem, a 21-year-old model raised in London, who described herself as someone who lives life on her own terms.

One of the night’s biggest talking points came from Abi, a 25-year-old chef and model from Osun State, whose revelation that she is married quickly sparked reactions online.

Martins, a 30-year-old visual storyteller from Kogi State, also attracted attention after disclosing that he is in a relationship despite joining the show.

Other contestants include Chimsom Chuka, Keivo, Mercedes, Kamsi, Sultex, Aikou, Flora, Bells, Gerard, Oyin, Sheba, Araga, Ricky, Nomy, Barry, Neche, Yusuf, Goddessa, Bluethopia and Cassi.

Several housemates spoke about their plans and strategies ranging from forming alliances to embracing romance, while others insisted they would remain focused solely on winning the competition.

Beyond the contestants, this year’s edition also unveiled a newly redesigned BBNaija house featuring an “upside-down” concept with bold colours and luxury interiors intended to reflect the unpredictable nature of the season.

According to MultiChoice, constructing the house is a months-long undertaking involving concept development, design, sourcing and construction before an empty building is transformed into a fully equipped television production facility.

Located beside the live studio in Lagos, the house is fitted with 52 robotic PTZ cameras, seven handheld cameras, 59 microphones, 36 antenna blades and 19 speakers to enable uninterrupted coverage of activities throughout the season.

The organisers said the annual production employs more than 1,000 Nigerians, including engineers, carpenters, electricians, decorators, camera operators, technical crews, caterers and other support personnel.

The Executive Head of Content and Channels for West Africa, Atinuke Babatunde, said Season 11 builds on the programme’s legacy of authentic storytelling with higher stakes, new twists and a fresh mix of personalities expected to keep audiences entertained until the finale.
The launch generated immediate buzz across social media, with discussions centred on the contestants’ personalities, relationships and first impressions as viewers began predicting early favourites.

BBNaija Season 11 succeeds the 2025 edition, won by Imisi.

Full list of BBNaija Season 11 housemates

Tram – 24-year-old streamer from Lagos State.

Temi Nkem – 21-year-old model raised in London.

Martins – 30-year-old visual storyteller and model from Kogi State.

Abi – 25-year-old chef and model from Osun State.

Chimsom Chuka – 27-year-old pharmacist from Anambra State.

Keivo – 27-year-old web developer from Benue State.

Mercedes – 26-year-old massage therapist and concierge business owner from Delta State.

Kamsi – 24-year-old event planner from Imo State.

Sultex – 24-year-old dancer and choreographer from Lagos State.

Aikou – 25-year-old freelance teacher and web developer from Abuja.

Flora – 30-year-old make-up artist from Delta State.

Bells – 22-year-old undergraduate from Akwa Ibom State.

Gerard – 23-year-old from Lagos State.

Oyin – 22-year-old sales entrepreneur and model from Ogun State.

Sheba – Professional broadcaster.

Araga – 29-year-old fashion model.

Ricky – 33-year-old writer from Rivers State.

Nomy – 26-year-old fashion designer from Anambra State.

Barry – 26-year-old civil engineer and fashion designer from Abuja.

Neche – 25-year-old lawyer from Anambra State.

Yusuf – 25-year-old from Kogi State.

Goddessa – 30-year-old musician from Abia State.
Bluethopia – 22-year-old photographer and model from Adamawa State.

Cassi – 26-year-old forex trader and actor from Abia State.