How Imisi Secured BBNaija Season 10 Victory
By Azeez Disu
The grand finale of Big Brother Naija Season 10, dubbed “10/10” to celebrate a decade of cultural impact, concluded on a high note on Sunday, 5 October 2025, crowning Opeyemi Ayanwale, widely known as Imisi, as the ultimate victor. After 10 intense weeks of competition, entertainment, and complex human drama involving 29 initial contestants, the 23-year-old fashion designer from Oyo State walked away with the title and the staggering grand prize of ₦150 million.
Imisi’s triumph was symbolic, marking her as the fourth female winner and the second-youngest in BBNaija history.
A Journey Defined by Grace
Imisi’s path to victory was not marked by unnecessary noise but by a compelling blend of emotional intelligence, grounded maturity, and inherent charm. Her Yoruba nickname, ‘Imisi’, which means “inspiration” or “breath,” proved fitting for a housemate whose story began to inspire millions of young Nigerians.
Hailing from Oyo State, a heritage she showcased proudly through expressions and cultural references, Imisi came into the house with a degree from the University of Ibadan, having already built a small but growing fashion brand. She also harbours aspirations to join Nollywood, possessing a natural screen presence that fans have already praised.
During her time, she revealed personal struggles, an experience which she credits with teaching her the importance of emotional strength and self-love. She openly stated that she is currently single, focused on “healing, purpose, and building a legacy”.
It is often said, “A silent sensible man draws more attention than a loud man in the same room,” and Imisi exemplified this strategy. She was not the loudest personality, but her authenticity, humour, and ability to mediate conflicts ensured she kept the house lively while remaining true to herself. Viewers identified deeply with her vulnerability, particularly in the diary room. Her decisive moment came when she handled a slight altercation with fellow housemate Kaybobo with such maturity that she rapidly cemented her status as a fan favourite.
The immense coordination and loyalty of her fan base, known online as “Ijoba 606”, played a critical part in sustaining her momentum right through to the spectacular live finale. Imisi’s story—her rise from an unknown designer to a national sensation—powerfully embodies the African proverb: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
The Final Showdown
The finale, hosted by the charismatic Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, was fraught with tension. Nine finalists battled it out, but one by one, shock evictions narrowed the field.
The eviction of Kaybobo, Isabella, Jason Jae, Mensan, Kola, Sultana, and Koyin paved the way for the final confrontation between Imisi and Dede, the eventual first runner-up. When Ebuka announced Imisi as the winner, the studio erupted in cheers, confirming the popular quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”.
The Mandate from the Viewers
The organisers released the official voting breakdown shortly after the grand finale, confirming Imisi’s dominance. The vote count was independently computed by Deloitte and confirmed against the results determined by M-Net.
Imisi clinched the title with a significant majority, leading the vote count ahead of Dede and Koyin.
Here is the official chart showing how viewers voted for the nine finalists:
IMISI 42.8%
DEDE 15.94%
KOYIN 15.23%
SULTANA 7.94%
KOLA 5.48%
JASON JAE 4.24%
MENSAN 3.54%
ISABELLA 3.07%
KAYBOBO 1.72%
Imisi’s victory, supported by a substantial 42.8% of the global votes, clearly illustrates the success of her personality-driven gameplay, proving that in the end, authenticity and resilience truly resonate. She joins an elite list of winners, setting a high standard for youth empowerment and demonstrating determination and grace in her triumph.