The tenth edition of the reality television show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) officially began over the weekend, with a new format, new housemates, and new rules that could impact the final prize.
The show launched on Saturday, July 26, 2025, introducing an all-female group of 15 housemates, followed by 15 male housemates on Sunday, July 27, bringing the total to 30 contestants.
The two-day premiere marked the beginning of what organisers have called the “10/10” season, commemorating a decade of the popular show.
This year, the grand prize is ₦150 million, but for the first time, housemates will need to earn it through consistent task performance.
According to the organisers, poor performance in weekly tasks may lead to deductions from the final cash prize, adding a layer of competition beyond eviction.
Female Housemates
Among the female contestants are:
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Elizabeth Oloruntola (Zita), 24, a student and creative artist from Lagos;
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Nicole Simon-Ogan (Gigi Jasmine), 31, a DJ and flutist from Akwa Ibom based in Abuja;
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Ifeyinwa Okafor (Ivatar), 37, a media entrepreneur and mother from Anambra;
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Sonia Amako (Big Soso), 28, a chef and lawyer from Kaduna;
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Sabrina Idukpaye, 32, a spoken word artist and LSE graduate from Edo;
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Ayomide Iwasokun (Mide), 23, an aspiring actor from Ondo;
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Precious Ashiogwu (Dede), 23, an entrepreneur from Delta;
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Esther Georgewill (Isabella), 29, a businesswoman and mother from Rivers;
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Josephine Iwoh (Joanna), 21, a pageant queen from Benue;
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Opeyemi Ayanwale (Imisi), 23, a fashion designer from Oyo;
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Doris Okorie, 33, an actor and writer from Imo;
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Ibifubara Davies, 28, a psychologist from Lagos;
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Uchenna Ekwe (Tracy), 27, a graduate trainee from Anambra;
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Thelma Lawson, 26, a skincare business owner from Rivers;
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Farida Sultana Auduson Ibrahim (Sultana), 25, a plus-size model from Adamawa.
Male Housemates
On Sunday, the male housemates were introduced, including:
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Koyin, 21, a model from Ogun State;
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Danboskid, 25, Mr. Ideal Nigeria 2024, from Ekiti;
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Rooboy, 29, a hype man from Ogun;
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Bright Morgan, 27, an actor from Imo;
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Kaybobo, 26, a professional American footballer from Ekiti;
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Faith, 25, a medical doctor from Osun;
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Kuture, 27, a sailor and musician from Kogi;
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Denari, 27, a food and football enthusiast from Anambra;
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Kayikunmi, 25, from Ekiti;
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Mensan, 29, an aspiring lawyer from Rivers;
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Otega, 32, a chef and former tech worker from Delta.
The full list of male housemates is still being updated as of press time.
The auditions for this season began online in May 2025, followed by physical screenings in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. Contestants were selected based on creativity, personal stories, and ability to engage a wide audience.
The previous season, held in 2024, was themed “No Loose Guard” and introduced a duo format for the first time. The season was won by Kellyrae, a 33-year-old musician, who became the first married contestant to win BBNaija. He received a prize of ₦100 million. Other notable housemates from that season included Wanni X Handi, Kassia, The Mbadiwe Twins, Nelly, Onyeka, and Shaun.
As of Monday morning, social media platforms have seen rising engagement from viewers, with fans already selecting early favourites and speculating on potential alliances.
This season is expected to run for 70 days, during which housemates will live under constant surveillance in the newly upgraded BBNaija house, completing weekly challenges and facing public voting and evictions.
The show airs on Africa Magic Urban and Family as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms. It is also available via the BBNaija streaming app for mobile viewers.
