Africa’s most popular reality show, Big Brother Naija, (BBNaija or BBN) is set to return for its ninth season on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Over the years, BBNaija has become a launchpad for housemates to achieve celebrity status.
Fans of the show are known for their fervent support, creating dedicated fan bases that fiercely compete on social media.
From the Mercenaries to the Icons, Titans, and Elites, these groups rally around their favorite ex-housemates.
Here, we take a look at the top five ex-housemates with the strongest fan bases.
1. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is one of the most prominent names to come out of BBNaija, though many now know him primarily as the show’s host. In 2006, he entered the first season of the reality show as one of 14 housemates, finishing in eighth place. Despite not winning, Ebuka has become one of the most successful alumni of BBNaija’s inaugural season. He boasts 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 3 million on Twitter.
2. Mercy Eke (Mercenaries)
Mercy Eke made history as the first female winner of Big Brother Naija in 2019. She is one of the most followed ex-BBNaija housemates, with 4.4 million Instagram followers and 958.5K Twitter followers. Her fan base, known as the Mercenaries, has supported her unwaveringly over the years. In the BBNaija All-Stars edition, Mercy secured second place with 23.48% of the votes.
3. Bisola Aiyelola (Gobe)
Renowned for her enchanting voice, Bisola Aiyeola captured hearts as the 1st runner-up of the 2017 Big Brother Naija “See Gobe” edition. Her time on the show showcased not only her charisma but also her immense talent and resilience. Beyond her impressive vocal abilities, Bisola is also a gifted actress. Her roles have demonstrated her range and depth, solidifying her place in the entertainment industry.
Since her time on Big Brother Naija, she has been tirelessly working on her career, building a strong presence across social media platforms. With over 4.1 million followers on Instagram, Bisola has cultivated a substantial and well-engaged fan base.
4. Tacha Akide (Titans)
Tacha Akide, known as “Queen Tacha” by her fans, was one of the most controversial housemates during the 2019 edition of BBNaija. Her fan base, the Titans, are fiercely loyal and were known for engaging in online battles with the Mercenaries when Tacha was disqualified following a fight with Mercy Eke. Despite her disqualification, Tacha has built a strong following, with 3.7 million Instagram followers and 1.5 million Twitter followers.
5. Laycon (Icons)
Laycon, the Nigerian media personality, rapper, singer, and songwriter, won Big Brother Naija Season 5 with a record-breaking number of votes. The unwavering support from his fan base, the Icons, has been instrumental in his music career.
Laycon earned 60% of the over 900 million votes cast in the finale, the highest margin in the show’s history. He has 3.6 million Instagram followers and 1.6 million Twitter followers, and he was the first housemate to reach 1 million Instagram followers while still in the house.
As BBNaija prepares for another season, these ex-housemates continue to enjoy the unwavering support of their dedicated fan bases, proving the enduring impact of the reality show.
