Temitope KareemControversy has trailed the upcoming season of the most popular reality TV show in Nigeria known as Big Brother Naija after the organizers announced the commencement of its 9th edition. Reacting to the announcement, the winner of season 7, Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has accused the organizers of not paying her the full prize money she deserved for winning the show.
Phyna took to her social media page to voice her grievances and announce her disappointment. She made a post on her X account, saying, โNew show! Winner of season 7 didn’t receive all her prizes and money. Well, let me mind my business before they say I’ve gone to bite their hand… it is well.โ
Her statement suggests that even after emerging as the winner years ago, the organizers failed to fulfill their promise of a grand prize of 100 million naira, which included 50 million naira in cash and 50 million naira worth of additional awards meant to be provided by the sponsors of the show.
The sponsors of her season were Techno, Close up, Abeg (owned by Piggyvest), Dano, Boomplay, Flutterwave, Patricia, and Betnaija. The show sponsors contributed significantly to the success of the show by awarding contestants various prizes for any games won on the show while it was ongoing.
Recall that Phyna entered the house as the 10th housemate and was later declared the winner on October 2, 2022, with 40.74% of the final vote, making her the second female to ever win the show.With the announcement of the new season and Phyna’s accusation, the majority of Nigerians await a response from the organizers of the show to clarify Phyna’s allegations.
The show is set to air on July 21st, 2024, for a duration of 10 weeks. Since March 27, 2024, applicants have started submitting three-minute videos showcasing their personality, strength, and why they should be chosen as a pair to be part of the show’s dynamic duo.
