Meet 12 BBNaija Season 7 ‘LevelUp’ Housemates

Season Seven of Big Brother Naija reality show premiered today with the theme, ‘Level Up’.

The live show streamed by fans in Nigeria and across the globe started at about 7 pm.

The host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu introduced the first set of 12 housemates (6 males and 6 females) that will compete for the grand prize of N100 million.

However, more housemates are expected to be introduced to fans on Sunday, day two of the opening ceremony.

Here is a quick take on the first set of housemates that made their way into the BBNaija House

Groovy

Henry Olisaemeka Orakwue, the first housemate to enter the BBNaija house. He’s a 26-year old artist, fashion entrepreneur and model from Anambra State.

He has a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos and loves working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

He describes himself as “a positive, self-sufficient, supportive person” and believes his winning mentality never fails to push him and those around him to greater heights.

Groovy reckons his argumentative nature could rub his fellow Housemates up the wrong way. “I don’t back down if I feel I’m right about something unless the facts state I’m wrong. I’m also very principled, so I hardly bend my will to please others, unless it’s the right thing to do.

He has been running a clothing and accessories business for the past four years, and also dabbles in music, and feels Big Brother Naija will help him make a name for himself.

“I want to be famous, wealthy, influential, and powerful. I want to be a voice for change in my country and the world and this show is the platform to showcase who I am, and who I can be to the world.

Beauty

Beauty Etsanyi Tukura, a 24-year-old lawyer from Taraba State was crowned Miss Nigeria in 2019, becoming the country’s 43rd beauty to win the pageant. She also held the ‘Most Beautiful Girl Taraba’ title, from 2015 to 2017.

Beauty describes herself as a generous, open, reliable free-spirit and believes if she puts her mind to anything, she surely will achieve it. One of the lowest points in her life was when she had to rewrite the Nigerian Bar Exams after failing the first time.

The last born of a family of four , Beauty enjoys the love, constant guidance, and unwavering support of her family.

Khalid

22-year-old Ismail Rukuba Ahalu
Khalid from Plateau State doesn’t like to beat around the bush when it comes to relationships, and his idea of fun is hanging out with the right people, having meaningful conversations, and engaging in extreme sports.

He enjoys archery, skateboarding, basketball, and watching anime and also has a keen interest in mythology. This freelance graphic designer and muralist love to try new things and considers himself charismatic.

Khalid, who describes himself as “chronically single”, is not looking for love at the moment, but feels like he hit the jackpot where friendship is concerned, which is more than enough. He sees the Big Brother Naija House as a platform to advertise himself and meet amazing new people.

Ilebaye

Ilebaye Odiniya, 21, is a Kogi State born criminology and security studies graduate and entrepreneur.

She loves swimming, partying, bowling and shopping, and considers herself a controversial, adventurous go-getter.

Ilebaye doesn’t believe in love and feels romantic relationships are all about pretense. “Maybe one day I will find a reason to believe in love, for now, not a chance,” she says.

She can be blunt and have a nonchalant attitude, traits that could annoy her fellow Housemates, but she plans to make up for it by being easygoing and fun to be around.

Ilebaye believes Big Brother Naija is the perfect platform to sell herself and gain exposure, which will be good for her business.

Bright Hidi Nwekete,
art lover, movie junkie, and music freak Cyph hails from Imo State and studied Electrical Engineering at Madonna University. He loves food, travel, fashion, and cruise, and admits he can be quite enigmatic.

Cyph

His motto is: ‘You only live once’ and Cyph ensures he remembers this when he has disagreements with loved ones by sorting out any differences immediately. This 27-year-old is the first to admit he loves being happy but is prone to crying if someone makes him extremely angry.

Amaka

Chiamaka Crystal Mbah is a 23-year-old health care worker from Anambra State. This self-professed daddy’s girl has only one sibling, and is the only girl in her family, and loves generous men.

Her motto is: ‘Grab the bull by the horns and forge ahead’, which has helped her navigate the highs and lows life throws her way. Amaka confesses she signed up for Big Brother Naija to not only win but to have fun, meet new people, and to pepper all her exes. Amaka admits she may sometimes come across as bold, mean, and “extra”, but people always realise she is as soft as jelly when they get to know her better. She is the first to admit she talks a lot, something her fellow Housemates may find annoying. “I am a big parrot! You don’t need to pay me o. I can talk for free non-stop,” she says. Although she admits to holding grudges, Amaka reckons she makes up for it by being honest. “You will always know where you stand with me”.

Kess

Kesiena Tony Adjekpovu,
Kess is a married 28-year-old businessman who enjoys living life to the fullest, from Delta State

Family means the world to him and he even counts one of his brothers as his best friend. “He is like a twin brother to me. I love my family. Our struggles made us stronger and I’m blessed to have them in my life”.

He describes himself as a “show-stopping, jaw-dropping human being” and takes pride in his talents. “I can do almost anything. I can sing, but not on Wande Coal’s level, sha. I dey dance small. I sabi act small. I have never pursued any of this seriously because man needs to survive first,” he says.

Daniella

When she’s not writing poetry, acting, or singing, you’ll find 22-year-old Daniella Utangbe Peters working out and staying fit. She hates bullies with a passion and believes in fair play. So she usually steps in as “the defender” during heated arguments.

Daniella loves meeting new people and describes herself as resilient, energetic, and observant. She has a twin brother, five older brothers, and a younger sister, and loves being part of a big family.

Although she just got out of a toxic relationship, Daniella still believes in love and is open to finding it one day.

Daniella believes Big Brother Naija is the perfect stage to showcase her creativity. “I want to be in the entertainment industry. I strongly believe I belong here”.

Pharmsavi

Saviour Ikin Akpan, is a licensed pharmacist from Akwa-ibom State. A multi-talented extrovert with “an amazing sense of humour”. He is passionate about life and acting in particular, and would like to pursue the craft as a profession in the near future.

Pharmsavi, enjoys travelling, dancing and playing video games, and has a large network of friends, courtesy of his boisterous, friendly personality. He dislikes hypocrisy and deceit and considers himself emotional and competitive. He loves graphic design and when he has time, you will find Pharmsavi playing table tennis.

Phyna

Ijeoma Josephina Otabor from Edo State, describes herself as “allergic to malice”. She is short-tempered and can fight with a person one minute, then talk to them the next, like nothing happened.

She is single and believes she is a born entertainer. “My view on relationships is: Na mumu dey fall in love”.

This 25-year-old hype girl considers herself jovial, and maintains she is allergic to gossip. “I don’t condone gossip, and a lot of people know I hate it. You can never gossip about someone to me,” she says.

One of her talents is repairing home appliances and she counts her graduation as one of the best moments of her life.

“I never thought I would be able to further my education in a higher institution of learning”.

Bryan

Brian Chkuwuebuka Chiji is 24-year-old from Imo State.

The Singer and songwriter who started his career in 2019 counts Wande Coal, Vybz Cartel and Angelique Kidjo as some of his musical influences.

Although down-to-earth and sometimes reserved, Bryan enjoys meeting new people, partying and watching movies.

“I would call myself an extravert; which is a mix of both an introvert and an extrovert. I have random bursts of energy and I have low-energy days, but I understand how to navigate people in either of these situations,” he says.

Bryan is at his happiest when he is being creative and hopes Big Brother Naija will give him the platform to interact with people, raise his social currency and also create awareness about his music.

Christy O

Christiana Oluwafunke Ojumu is a beauty entrepreneur who runs a cosmetics business.

This outspoken 24-year-old also models in her free time, and believes in giving people second chances.

The Ondo state born describes herself as a “funny, smart and hardworking extrovert” and admits you are more than likely to find her “where the fun is” on any given day. When she’s not hiking or enjoying a picnic with her close friends, Christy O makes time to write poems.

Her major weakness? “I’m a perfectionist, which means I’m usually not satisfied with a result, especially when a task has been performed by someone else”. She is also argumentative and sarcastic, traits that may annoy her fellow Housemates.