Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Adekunle Olopade, has expressed concern over the growing number of ex-participants who end up financially stranded after leaving the reality show.
Adekunle noted that despite Big Brother Naija being the biggest reality TV show in Africa, there is “almost no success path” for housemates once the show ends.
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Taking to his social media handle, he wrote:
“Let me double down and say that BBN is the biggest reality TV show in Africa, but somehow, Nigeria does not have a reality TV culture, there’s almost no certain success path after the show, and most of the reality stars suffer for this.”
The reality star’s post sparked mixed reactions online. Some users argued that contestants are expected to return to their previous jobs or businesses after the show, but Adekunle countered that many went on BBNaija precisely because they had no stable income or career.
“A lot of the cast didn’t have 9-5s to begin with, which is why they tried to change their story by going on the show. Only a few had jobs or businesses before they went on the show. But yes, going back if things didn’t work out doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” he explained.
Adekunle’s comments have reignited public debate about the long-term impact of Big Brother Naija on contestants, especially those who fail to maintain relevance after their season ends.
New Daily Prime recalls that earlier this year, activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju raised a similar concern, alleging that some BBNaija winners did not receive their full prizes and that many former housemates ended up poorer than they were before joining the show.
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While the show has produced several success stories, such as Laycon, Mercy Eke, and Phyna, Adekunle’s remarks highlight the uncertainty faced by most ex-housemates who struggle to convert their brief fame into sustainable careers.
