After 69 days in the Big Brother Show Ya Sef House, finale day is here, and you can almost feel the tension through the screens. Here's what the finalists got up to before the live show:
8:00 am: Packing, ironing and a little dancing
Sheba made her bed and waved goodbye to it, then brushed her teeth in the Shower Area. In the Closet, Barry packed his suitcase while singing along to the music playing in the house. Flora danced, Aikou did sit-ups in the Orange bedroom, and Tram worked out in the Garden.
Oyin joked that Aikou was working out on a Sunday and making her look unserious. She said she had just arrived because she was sleeping and Big Brother kept following her around. She told him she needed to wash her face and brush her teeth, then asked how long he planned to work out. Aikou said he was just enjoying the music, and the two hugged.
9:00 am: The case of the missing butter
Ricky asked Oyin if she wanted some lotion, and she said she had already packed some. He then said someone had beaten him to the butter, which he had really loved. "I guess someone else loved it more," he said. While ironing, he added that he wondered who took it, and that he wouldn't take anything unless Big Brother offered it to him.
Over in the Salon, Sheba washed Temi Nkem's hair and asked Ricky to rate how happy he was about the day. Ricky said he was really looking forward to it and wished they could start right away. He hoped the winner would be someone who truly deserved it, and said tonight wouldn't just be about evictions but about something bigger. Sheba admitted she was nervous about what comes next. Ricky later trimmed his hair.
Bluethopia pointed Tram to the Salon when he went looking for everyone, and asked if he had slept in the Garden. He said he slept in the Orange room. Tram told Ricky he didn't know what he'd wear if nothing was provided, and wondered if Oyin was in the diary room. Ricky asked whether there would be diary sessions, and Tram said he didn't kno. Tram said he was excited to see the TV screen on.
10:00 am: Who will win?
Tram said he felt Oyin would win, and she responded with an "Amen". He added that the fans voting for Flora as a Gambit showed they really liked her. Oyin joked that if Ricky wins, she'll be his baby. Ricky said one of The Gambit would win since both are in the finale. Tram told Flora that if she wins, he'll give her his bank account. Ricky asked Flora if she was given assignments to take people's belongings, and she said yes; Big Brother gave her the names of the people to take from.
Flora washed Sheba's hair in the Salon, and Sheba asked Temi Nkem if she was feeling better. Sheba said she wanted to watch their wagers to see the effort they put in. Temi Nkem asked Bluethopia whether she should do her own makeup or ask Flora, and Bluethopia said she prefers Temi Nkem's own makeup because it looks like her.
11:00 am: Cooking time
Bluethopia cooked chicken in the Kitchen and sang along to the music. In the Closet, Temi Nkem said her suitcase wouldn't close. Sheba suggested she take some things out, but Temi Nkem refused, saying her family needs to taste this life and get freebies, and she wants to go home with something for them.
12:00 pm: Final diary sessions
Barry washed dishes in the Kitchen while Temi Nkem continued packing. Then the final diary sessions began.
Aikou went in first and said he feels like he's holding back and moving forward at the same time, and wished the day could last 24 more hours. He thanked Chimsom Chuka for keeping him in mind and wished he were still in the house. Aikou rated his chances of winning at 7/10. If he wins, he'd like to go to university to become a professor, build a house for his family, especially his parents, and take a trip to Egypt.
To viewers, he said some fell for him at first sight, and others had to find a reason, and he thanked them for taking that leap of faith. His favourite moment in the Show Ya Sef house was discovering he could swim during Art Week, and he thanked the coach. He also thanked Big Brother for the microwave oven. Big Brother told him: "In your own way, you impacted the lives of your fellow housemates. Return to the world that needs your personality."
Barry was next in line, and He said he was anxious and had been waiting for this day, but it felt scary now that it was here. He wondered whether his family was proud. Big Brother asked who wouldn't be proud of someone who had carried himself as a gentleman for 10 weeks. Barry eventually said, "I am proud of myself," and admitted he was mostly afraid of the outside world. He thanked Chimsom Chuka for motivating him to push himself, gave himself 50/50 odds of winning, and wished Cassi and Chimsom Chuka were there, especially since it has been just him and Aikou since Keivo left.
If he wins, he'll invest in his business, do his master's degree, help his family, and focus on social media content. His favourite moments were winning Super Commando (his first individual win) and dining with Ebuka. Big Brother told him he holds the keys, and that he must not predict the future but create his own.
After his session, Barry told Bluethopia at the Wall of Fame that he was ready for the outside world. She reassured him that his past was behind him.
1:00 pm: Live show prep begins
At the Wall of Fame, Barry asked Flora if she had worn blue to do Bluethopia's make-up. She said yes and called Bluethopia a bombshell. Sheba was doing her own make-up while Flora worked on Bluethopia's.
Barry later made himself something to eat in the Kitchen. He then went upstairs, calling for Aikou, and found him in the Garden, where he handed him some food.
Temi Nkem said she had forgotten Barry was the HoH and asked what benefits he got this week. He said changing housemates' batteries. Temi Nkem told him to put that on his CV, and Barry agreed, saying he was now a two-time HoH.
Bluethopia was called to the Diary Room before she had finished her make-up. Big Brother asked if it was a new look, and when she said she wasn't done, he called it "innovative" and told her to complete it.
2:00 pm: Garden gist and Oyin's diary session
In the Garden, Barry laughed about how Cassi had struggled to pass on a message, and Oyin said he should have used his lips, as Sultex did, and she understood him by reading them. Barry said the evicted housemates all looked so different and he was happy to see everybody. He said Yusuf felt like he had just left, while Cassi felt like he had left a long time ago.
Aikou told Oyin he appreciated that she said yesterday she knew he was a Gambit but never asked, because she knew he didn't like to lie. Oyin said he was welcome.
Oyin then went into the diary room for her session. She said she was looking forward to tonight as she wanted to see her sisters and her dad, and had butterflies in her stomach but wasn't worried. She said she would apologise to Keivo, because insulting his parents made her look bad.
When asked who she’ll thank, she named the people who helped her survive the house: Flora for making the house feel like a home and being like a sister; Sultex for being a protective friend and brother, and Aikou for teaching her to manage her anger and to put in effort even in the Arena. She said she owes Tram a big thank you too.
Oyin put her chances of winning at 99% based on her faith, and 90% based on what she sees in the house. She said the lineup is strong: Aikou is unique, Flora is hyper, Sheba is stronger, and Temi Nkem and Bluethopia are funny. "Never say never in this kind of space," she said. If nobody gives her flowers, she'll buy herself some, and she believes her sister will be proud of her for reaching week 10.
If she wins, she plans to invest in her business so she can travel to countries with plenty of goods and eventually become the person others buy from. She also wants to buy shares and says her dad will help her manage the money. She said Sultex and Martins should be in the finale, and that Martins shouted, "I told you, you did it" when he saw her at the party. She told her supporters they would never regret voting for her, win or lose, and called them the foundation of her legacy. She admitted she was overthinking before the dinner with Ebuka, worrying about where she would go after the house, and later realised she should leave it to God.
Her favourite moment in the house was leading and winning her wager. She said that after it, nobody called her dumb again, adding that she may not have won any MIPOW or Arena games, but she won a wager.
3:00 pm: Ricky, Bluethopia and Flora open up in the diary room
Ricky: When he entered, he said he was excited but didn't know how to show it, adding that he had looked forward to this day since he entered the house. He said he loved the space and had gotten used to it, but he was ready to leave.
Ricky said he would apologise to Abi for lying about certain things. He said she made him feel at home before she left, and getting to know her, even briefly, made his stay easier. He also apologised for anything he might have said or done.
On his chances, he said he couldn't put a figure on them, but a win would surprise even him. If he made it this far, he reasoned, he could win, and he has a strong chance because many of the people who had ideas of what was needed are no longer in the house. If he wins, he plans to relocate to Lagos and enjoy himself, and he has pending film and book projects the money could go towards.
He said he always saw Chimsom Chuka in the final. He felt Chimsom Chuka deserved to be there, and his exit didn't feel right. He recalled telling Chimsom Chuka it would upset him if he didn't win the show, and wished he were still around. What scares Ricky most is not knowing what to expect, though he knows it will be different. He likes change and already feels like a star, which is what he came for. He can't wait to see his family and start the new life he has wanted for a while. He thanked Big Brother, who praised his storytelling.
Bluethopia on the other hand, said she was nervous and didn't know what to expect, but was excited to see her family. She is scared of fame and unsure how to handle it, and Big Brother advised her to be herself. She thanked Chimsom Chuka for his patience and corrections, saying he taught her a lot.
Bluethopia put her chances of winning at 50%. If she wins, she'd buy her mum a car, launch her fashion business and give back to the community. She wished she could share the moment with Neche, thanked the viewers who kept her in the house, and thanked Big Brother for everything.
Flora went in next, and she said she was excited and happy, as it had been a happy week. She wouldn't apologise to any housemate, but she would thank Oyin, Tram and Barry, and if she had to pick one, it would be Oyin, for being a good friend, someone to rely on and someone she loves dearly.
Flora said she already sees herself as a winner. If she wins, it will be by God's grace, but she knows she's up against strong housemates. The money would boost her business and help her settle in Lagos. She wished Neche and Sultex were there to share the moment, saying she would have done Neche's make-up and that Sultex was a fun friend. She thanked everyone who kept her in the house. What scares her is starting a new life. She said she had so much fun with the wagers and enjoyed everything.
Stream BBNaija Season 11 live 24/7 on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, and catch the Show Ya Sef Finale on Sunday at 19:00 WAT on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Join the conversation using #BBNaija and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok! BBNaija Season 11 is proudly brought to you by our Headline Sponsor, betPawa; our Gold Sponsor, Guinness Nigeria; and our Associate Sponsor, Minimie.