The curtains have opened to yet another Big Brother Naija season. The latest season premiered on Saturday, July 23rd with a dozen housemates introduced to fans and then to Big Brother’s house. The second opening day saw another set of 12 BBNaija housemates make their way into Big Brother’s house number two. As most fans of the reality TV show already know, the housemates have been split into two houses, the first set collectively referred to as Level 2 are camped in one house while the second set aka Level 1 are together in a different house. This brings the total of BBNaija housemates for the Level Up season to 24, 12 females and 12 males.
Social media has been set abuzz from the get-go with varying opinions about the housemate’s first impressions. Big brother has also received some tongue-lashing for his choice of interior decor, hopefully, this won’t hamper on the show’s entertainment value. The housemates are in and ready to play with hopes to level up to the finale. Yet to pick a fave? Read through to discover each of the BBNaija housemates competing in the Level Up season.
Phyna describes herself as a short-tempered lady who is very allergic to malice and gossip and will never be found involved in any in the house (we’re watching you lady!) “My view on relationships is: Na mumu dey fall in love,” the born entertainer says, but this is big brother’s house and anything can happen. Phyna’s goal for joining BBNaija was so she could “make a difference.”
Savior is a licensed pharmacist whose first love is acting. He hopes that BBNaija will avail him the opportunity to showcase his acting talents so he can professionally pursue the craft after the show. He is an extrovert who finds it easy to make friends and thus has lots of them. His obsession with a neat space, he says could be a source of contention between him and his fellow housemates. Savior is emotional and competitive.
Khalid is a freelance graphic designer and muralist who engages in extreme sports (such as skateboarding, and archery) for fun. He has a charismatic personality and enjoys having deep meaningful conversations with like minds. His other interests include mythology, basketball, and anime.
Kess is a married man who adores his family. He is a diehard fan of BBNaija and being a housemate is a dream come true for him. He is a businessman with many talents spanning from acting to dancing.
A Gen Z graduate of criminology and security studies, Ilebaye describes herself as controversial, adventurous, and a straight-talker. Some of the fun activity she enjoys includes swimming, partying, and bowling. She hopes to utilize her BBnaija fame to promote her business.
The 6 ft 5-inch tall Groovy says he’s single and hopes to find love, so shippers lookout for this one. The UNILAG grad owns a fashion business, models, and does music on the side. He describes himself as being ambitious and is not one to back down from an argument.
Amaka famously said on stage that she hopes to disappoint anyone who thinks a man will win the Level Up Season. She is a bold go-getter who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. She admits to being a talkative, a trait that helps her stay honest.
Beauty is a former beauty queen who believes in the power of dogged determination. The last of 4 siblings, she holds a law degree but will love to promote her brand after Big Brother. She describes herself as a free-spirit who is open and reliable.
Bryann is a recording artist hoping to get further with his music career after the show. He is an ambivert with good people skills but maintains that he can be forgetful.
Christy O is an extrovert who enjoys having fun and maintains that there’s no dull moment with her. If her life were a movie, it will be titled “The Spice Girl.” She’s a great listener who pays attention to detail and would readily offer a helping hand to anyone in need. She promises to keep her pants on in the house. Her bad side? She is argumentative and blunt.
Cyph is an empath who feels and understands people deeply. He is a graphic designer who wishes he could also paint. Cyph has a competitive spirit which he believes most housemates will not like. He loves food, music, movies, and traveling.
Daniella is a ball of energy who enjoys working out. She’s a creative who loves to write poetry, sing, and dance and hopes to showcase her creative side to the fullest on the show. The sensitive and extremely observant Daniella has a strong dislike for bullies and will stand up to them at every given opportunity.
Chinenyenwa strips at night and works as a chef at dawn. She had a troubled childhood but is determined not to let her difficult experiences define her future. When she gets on the bad side of a fellow housemate, it could likely be due to her smart mouth. She loves drama and is ready to bring it on.
Watch out for Chomzy on the dance floor on Saturday nights as she describes herself as the life of the party who simply enjoys twerking. She hails from a close-knit family and hates betrayals and oppression. She hopes to promote her business on the show and expand it when the show’s done.
He is a fitness enthusiast and creative thinker who graduated with flying colors with an engineering degree. Gideon possesses a fun side that makes him easily likable. He hates drama!
16. Diana
Full Name: Diana Isoken Edobor
Age: 33
State: Edo
House: Level 1
Dual-lingual (French and English) Diana is a project manager by profession and loves to learn about new cultures, however, she hopes to jumpstart an acting career after the show. She is friendly but daring and not one to get easily intimidated.
17. Dotun
Full Name: Oladotun Mofiyinfoluwa Oloniyo
Age: 26
State: Ekiti
House: Level 1
Dotun graduated top of his class with a degree in medical physiology from the prestigious University of Ibadan. When he isn’t fixing up cramped limbs, he loves to keep his own limbs active through work-outs. He is friendly, fun-loving, and competitive, qualities he hopes viewers will find entertaining.
18. Doyin
Full Name: Doyinsola Anuoluwapo David
Age: 26
House: Level 1
Doyin is a medical radiologist but hopes to find a place in the entertainment industry as she considers medicine boring. She’s cheerful and fun but her knack for being blatantly honest makes it difficult for her to keep friends. Doyin says she’s good at manipulating but is a loyal friend who will never back-stab. She hates selfish and self-centered people.
19. Eloswag
Full Name: Eloka Paul Nwamu
Age: 27
State: Delta
House: Level 1
A techie who is confident in his own skin, Eloswag says he has what it takes to make the house fun. He has his way with ladies and is in the house to have fun and network.
20. Hermes
Full Name: Hermes Chibueze Iyele
House: Level 1
Hermes is a dancer and performance artist who has gone intercontinental with his talent. He has choreographed for industry greats like Burna Boy, Davido, and Ajebo Hustlers. He admits to being in a polyamorous relationship with 2 women and hopes to mingle in the house. Basketball is among his favorite pastimes.
21. Sheggz
Full Name: Segun Daniel Olusemo
Age: 26
State: Lagos
House: Level 1
Sheggz is a pro-footballer who after sustaining a sports injury turned his focus towards acting. A London boy who is still in touch with his Naija spirit, Seggz is ambitious, hardworking, and confident. He’s open to finding love in the house.
22. Adekunle
Full Name: Adekunle Tobilola Olopade Adekunle
Age: 27
State: Lagos
House: Level 1
Adekunle is an introvert who when not making money as a digital marketing consultant loves to solve other people’s problems. He’s a peacemaker by nature but not one to cower when being challenged. He considers himself very knowledgeable and would love to win the money to help pay off his mom’s mortgage.
23. Allysyn
Full Name: Osy Allysyn Audu
Age: 25
House: Level 1
A model and social media enthusiast, Allysyn wants to become a full-time social media influencer and TV presenter. She’s a fun-lover, joker, loyal friend sucker for love and is open to finding love in the house.
24. Bella
Full Name: Chidimma Esther Okagbue
Age: 25
“I do not ever want to introduce myself. I want to walk into a room and be recognised. I love a life of comfort and intentional happiness,” Bella says describing the type of life she wants which led her to the BBNaija house. She creates online content and loves photography. She’s a competitor who likes to win all the time and finds it easier befriending guys than girls.
Davido Comes Under Fire For Comments On Ishowspeed’s ‘Multiple Women’ Massage in Ghana
Afrobeats star Davido became the subject of online discussion after sharing a playful Instagram story that many Nigerians interpreted as controversial. On 26 January 2026, the Grammy-nominated singer reposted a viral video of American streamer IShowSpeed receiving a massage from multiple women in Ghana, during his African tour.
In the repost on his Instagram Stories, Davido tagged his wife, Chioma Rowland Adeleke, with a light-hearted caption that appeared to seek her permission for a similar “Ghana shea butter massage.”
The caption read: ‘@thechefchi oh boy my darling wife pls permit me 😅😅this nah Ghana???’
The post was framed as humour, but screenshots of the story quickly circulated on X (formerly Twitter), where it gained significant attention beyond his Instagram audience.
While some viewers interpreted the message as harmless banter between a married couple, others viewed it as inappropriate, particularly given Davido’s public profile and marital status.
The post generated a range of reactions from Nigerian social media users. Some expressed discomfort with the public nature of the message, questioning its appropriateness given Davido’s marital status. Others used humour or satire to comment on the situation, while several users framed their reactions.
While some comments implied that the post reinforced long-standing perceptions about his personal life, other users defended the artist, describing the post as an unserious “cruise” or typical celebrity humour taken out of context.
It is worth noting the budding relationship between Davido and IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.). The two have connected through the streamer’s recent African tour, which included stops in Nigeria and Ghana.
On 21 January 2026, IShowSpeed’s 21st birthday, Davido surprised him with a FaceTime call during a live stream in Lagos, Nigeria. The Afrobeats hitmaker, who was in Paris at the time, wished Speed a happy birthday, congratulated him on reaching 50 million YouTube subscribers, and promised a future collaboration in the US
Ayra Starr’s Much Anticipated Album To Drop in 2026
Ayra Starr has sparked a whirlwind of anticipation across the global music landscape. Following her meteoric rise, the Mavin Records superstar and Roc Nation signee has stirred excitement among fans by hinting at her forthcoming project.
Featured in Spotify’s “Our Frequency” zine issue 033, the ‘Celestial Being’ shared insights into her personal and professional aspirations, including a tease that her next album could land in 2026. This disclosure emerged within Spotify’s platform dedicated to celebrating Black artists and their creative narratives, with the recent edition spotlighting Starr’s journey of growth and artistic evolution.
Spotify’s “Our Frequency” initiative offers artists a space to reveal intimate details about their lives and craft. In the Spotify feature, Ayra Starr reflected on her formative years and how diverse environments shaped her distinctive sound and personality.
The 23-year-old drew interesting parallels between cultures, noting that, “Growing up in Benin and Nigeria, it was two different vibes.” She likened the energy of Nigeria’s commercial hub to a global city: “Lagos is almost like New York.”
In stark contrast, the 2026 Grammy nominee described her experience in the Benin Republic: “Benin Republic has more like a beach vibe. Everywhere is, like, calm. Everybody is quiet, so I can’t put it into, like, a few words. It’s made me who I am.”
It was within this context of personal evolution that Ayra Starr dropped the major album news, offering insight into her 2026 goals: “In 2026, I’m looking forward to learning how to cook more known Nigerian food, and my album, Amen.”
This deliberate pacing suggests a strategic shift towards quality control following her management deal with Roc Nation in July 2025, which handles her global brand strategy and touring
I am Bigger Than Fela, WizKid Fires Back At Seun Kuti
Afrobeats icon Wizkid has ignited fresh controversy by directly addressing Seun Kuti, the youngest son of the iconic Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, in a series of pointed Instagram stories on 20 January 2026.
The exchange stems from ongoing tensions between Seun and Wizkid’s devoted fanbase, known as Wizkid FC, who have been accused by Seun of disrespecting Fela’s legacy through comparisons favouring Wizkid
The spat, which has dominated X (formerly Twitter) timelines, highlights the contrast between Fela’s politically charged Afrobeat and Wizkid’s global Afrobeats success.
Wizkid, who had previously stayed silent, appeared to be provoked by Seun’s claims that he does not value his fans. This led to a barrage of stories where Wizkid not only claimed superiority but also reposted a fan’s video harshly criticising Seun and the Kuti family.
In one widely shared post, the 35-year-old hitmaker wrote in a now-deleted post: “@bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz everyday bigger than u do papa!! Wetin u one do f**l?”
Another story escalated the insult: “P*y boy @bigbirdkuti ok I big pass your papa!! Wetin u one do ? Fl at 40!
A third simply stated: “@bigbirdkuti Hungry boy! U too small! Na ur papa we dey talk to.”
Additionally, Wizkid reposted a fan’s video with the caption: “Seun kuti omo baba oni pata gig an 😂😂.”
These posts came after a series of scathing posts on X from Wizkid aimed at Seun Kuti. One post read: “Fela fight for freedom this fool Dey fight fc! Oloshi Omo ale!”
In turn, Seun wasted no time in replying to Wizkid on Instagram, telling the Grammy winner: “Just be yourself, short Man. you are also great,” before labelling Wizkid a b****h for deleting his earlier posts on his Instagram Stories.
The online reaction has been intense, with users divided over the back and forth.
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