History of Big Brother Naija
When the Big Brother Naija Season 5 begins later this evening, as the name suggested, it will be the 5th edition since the reality TV show debuted in in 2006 as Big Brother Nigeria.
Big Brother Naija, formerly known as Big Brother Nigeria and popularly known as BBNaija or BBN, is a Nigerian reality tv show based on the Big Brother television franchise, in which contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize and other material gifts, at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted from the house by viewers.
The highly-rated reality TV show has produced some notable stars such as Africa Magic’s Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke, and TV personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
Read Also: 12 Commandants of Big Brother Naija 2020
Big Brother Naija Season 1 (2006)
The first season of Big Brother Naija premiered in 2006 and was held for 92 days between March 5 and June 4, 2006 with 12 original housemates before two new Housenates were introduced on Day 23, much to the excitement of the remaining housemates.
| Start Date | March 5, 2006 |
| End Date | June 4, 2006 |
| Duration | 92 days |
| Held in | Nigeria |
| Host(s) | Olisa Adibua Michelle Dede |
| Winner | Katung Aduwak |
Big Brother Naija Season 2 (2017)
Big Brother Naija Season 2 (2017), themed “See Gobbe” was the second season of the Nigerian version of the reality show Big Brother. BBNaija season 2 kicked off on 22 January 2017 and went on for a duration of 3 months. Ex- housemate Ebuka Obi Uchendu was the host.
| Start Date | January 22, 2017 |
| End Date | April 9, 2017 |
| Duration | 78 days |
| Held in | South Africa |
| Host | Ebuka Obi-Uchendu |
| Winner | Micheal Efe Ejeba |
Big Brother Naija Season 3 (2018)
Big Brother Naija Season 3 (2017), tagged “Double Wahala” was the third season of the Nigerian version of the reality show Big Brother. Produced by South Africa’s Red Pepper TV and it was launched on 28 January 2018 on DStv channel 198. Ex-housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu was the host.
| Start Date | January 28, 2018 |
| End Date | April 22, 2018 |
| Duration | 85 days |
| Held in | South Africa |
| Host | Ebuka Obi-Uchendu |
| Winner | Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwe |
Big Brother Naija Season 4 (2019)
The fourth edition was held in Nigeria and tagged “Pepper Dem”. Big Brother Naija Season 4 aired on 30 June 2019 on DStv channel 198 and Gotv Channel 29. Ex-housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu from season one continued as the host. Mercy “Lambo” Eke emerged as the first female to win Big Brother Nigeria reality tv show
| Start Date | June 30, 2019 |
| End Date | October 6, 2019 |
| Duration | 90 days |
| Held in | Nigeria |
| Host | Ebuka Obi-Uchendu |
| Winner | Mercy Eke |
The question is, will 2020 produce another female winner?
