By Chiagoziem Abosi
Edited by Ezennia Uche
When Big Brother Naija Season 10 ended on Sunday night, one name dominated the conversation — Imisi. The 23-year-old from Oyo State didn’t just claim the ₦80 million grand prize; she captured the hearts of millions with a story that was real, funny, dramatic, yet always authentic.
Imisi Ayanwale entered the house as a budding fashion designer. She left as a star, beating 28 contestants including favourites like Dede and Koyin with more than 42% of the votes. For someone who started as the quiet observer in the corner, her transformation was one of the season’s biggest draws.
“She was just herself,” said Blessing, a student who followed the show from day one. “No fake accent, no forming. She’d laugh, cry, quarrel, then apologise. It made her real.”
That honesty became her brand. In the house, Imisi was the go-to for heart-to-heart talks and spontaneous dance breaks. Online, her fans — the self-styled #Ijoba606 trended her name almost every weekend.
When host Ebuka announced her as the winner, the crowd erupted. Even non-fans screamed. “It felt like a win for everyone who’s ever been underestimated,” one supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Before the fame, Imisi hustled in Lagos as a small-time fashion designer, saving for her first sewing machine and sketching designs during lunch breaks. Now, she plans to expand her label nationwide and maybe step into Nollywood if the right script comes. “I want to represent real women, the ones who dream big but don’t always have it easy,” she told reporters after her win.
Her triumph also makes her only the fourth woman to win BBNaija, joining Mercy Eke, Phyna and Ilebaye — a rare sisterhood of resilience and heart.
“We’re seeing a shift,” said pop culture analyst Dami Olatunji. “Viewers are beginning to reward authenticity over strategy. Imisi is proof that you don’t have to be the loudest to shine the brightest.”
For now, she’s still soaking it all in: the flashing cameras, the fame, the endless fan love. But one thing is clear — Imisi didn’t just win BBNaija. She proved that staying true to yourself never goes out of style.
