Big Brother Naija has crowned 11 winners since the reality show first began in 2006, but only five of them have been women.
Temi Nkem’s victory on Sunday, October 4, 2026, has added another name to the growing list of female champions, nearly seven years after Mercy Eke became the first woman to win the modern edition of the show.
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From Mercy Eke’s historic Pepper Dem victory in 2019 to Temi’s triumph in the Show Ya Sef season, the women who have lifted the BBNaija crown have each brought a different personality, story and approach to the competition.
Here is a look at the five women who have made history as BBNaija winners.
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Mercy Eke – Season 4, 2019
Mercy Eke made history during the Pepper Dem season when she became the first female winner of Big Brother Naija.
Her victory over Mike Edwards marked a major moment for women on the reality show, which had previously produced three male winners since its return in 2017.
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Mercy’s season was filled with memorable moments, including her rivalry with fellow housemate Tacha and her emergence as one of the most talked-about contestants of the season.
Her victory also helped establish the reality show as a major platform for building entertainment careers and personal brands.
Phyna – Season 7, 2022
Three years after Mercy’s victory, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, became the second woman to win BBNaija.
Phyna emerged victorious in the Level Up season, defeating Bryann in the finale.
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Known for her energetic personality, outspoken nature and memorable moments in the house, Phyna quickly became one of the season’s most recognisable housemates.
Her victory also continued a pattern that had become increasingly visible on the show: viewers were not necessarily voting for the quietest or most predictable contestant. Personality, entertainment value and the ability to connect with an audience remained important parts of the competition.
Ilebaye – Season 8, 2023
Ilebaye Odiniya took the female winners’ tally to three just one year later.
She won the 2023 All Stars edition, a season that brought former housemates back into the competition, including previous winner Mercy Eke.
Ilebaye’s victory was particularly notable because she was competing against established BBNaija personalities, yet managed to secure enough public support to finish ahead of them.
Her win showed how quickly the dynamics of the show could change. A contestant did not necessarily need to enter the house with the biggest reputation to leave with the crown.
Imisi – Season 10, 2025
In 2025, Imisi Ayanwale became the fourth woman to win BBNaija.
The Season 10 winner emerged after 71 days of competition, taking home a prize package worth ₦150 million, including ₦80 million in cash.
Imisi’s journey was built around a personality that viewers connected with. Africa Magic described her winning formula in terms of entertainment, relatability and her willingness to remain true to herself.
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Her victory meant that women had won three of the previous four BBNaija seasons in which a female contestant eventually claimed the crown.
Temi Nkem – Season 11, 2026
Now, Temi Nkem has become the fifth woman to win Big Brother Naija.
The 21-year-old, whose real name is Temitope Chigbue, emerged as the winner of the Show Ya Sef season after 70 days in the house.
Temi secured 25.87 per cent of the final votes, finishing ahead of Aikou and Sheba, who emerged as the first and second runners-up respectively.
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Her victory came after a season filled with tasks, nominations, relationships, controversies and twists, with her own journey featuring moments ranging from the BB Bucks controversy to a fake eviction and her much-discussed kiss with Tram.
Temi takes home a ₦160 million prize package, including ₦90 million in cash, a brand-new SUV and other sponsored prizes.
A changing BBNaija crown
From Mercy to Phyna, Ilebaye, Imisi and now Temi, the five women who have won BBNaija did not follow one identical formula.
Each arrived in the house with a different personality and created a different relationship with viewers. Some were loud, some controversial, some highly strategic, while others won audiences over through relatability and entertainment.
What their victories show is that there is no permanent blueprint for winning Big Brother Naija.
The crown has moved from one personality to another, but one thing has remained constant: the housemate who can turn their time on the show into a strong connection with viewers stands a better chance of surviving until the final night.
Temi Nkem is now the latest woman to prove that point.
