The lights have dimmed on the Big Brother Naija Season 10 house, but the afterglow – and the fierce debate – continue to shine brightly across social media. After a thrilling 10-week run, Imisi emerged as the undisputed winner of the reality show, securing a staggering 42.8% of the total votes. Her victory wasn’t just a win; it was an emphatic landslide, leaving first runner-up Dede far behind with 15.94%.
According to figures released by Big Brother Naija on Sunday, the gap between Imisi and the rest of the finalists was truly remarkable. Koyin followed closely with 15.23%, then Sultana (7.94%), Kola (5.48%), Jason Jae (4.24%), Mensan (3.54%), Isabella (3.07%), and Kaybobo (1.72%). Imisi’s vote share was nearly three times that of Dede, painting a clear picture of her overwhelming popularity.
The “Pity Vote” Frenzy: A Nation Divided?
While many fans celebrated Imisi’s commanding win, the victory immediately ignited a familiar Big Brother Naija discourse: the “pity vote” narrative. Critics quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to argue that her success reflected a concerning trend in society.
User Mackie4reall didn’t mince words, stating, “Imisi winning #BBNaija really says a lot about what we celebrate in this country. We keep rewarding drama and pity over intelligence and substance. Then we wonder why our politics and society look the way they do.” Another post went even further, suggesting her win was undeserved charity: “The money was faithfully given to Imisi as charity, since she begged for it.”
The debate gained further traction when DavidPattt lumped Imisi with previous winners accused of playing the “pity” card, writing, “Laycon – pity. Whitemoney – pity. Phyna – razz/pity. Ilebaye – pity. Imisi – pity.”
Defending the Crown: “She Fought Back, She Met Madness with Madness”
However, the BBNaija fandom is rarely a monolith, and many were quick to rally to Imisi’s defense, arguing vehemently that her victory was well-earned and strategic.
symply_kimm dismissed the “pity vote” narrative outright: “Which one is pity vote??? Imisi that did the most in that house to win that money is what you guys are saying, pity vote??? Must be cr@zee. IMISI IS VERY DESERVING OF HER WIN!!”
Even uzezzi_ (Baby Lion), who openly rooted for Dede, came to Imisi’s defence: “I really wanted Dede to win. Dede is still my winner, but please, Imisi did NOT win because of pity votes. She didn’t sulk, she fought back, she met madness with madness. Even if she’s rough around the edges, that’s who she is — and she left with the same personality she came in with.”
For ulxma, Imisi’s appeal transcended simple sympathy. “She was funny, entertaining, witty, smart, crazy, emotional, flawed, unserious, silly, courageous, and even annoying… the full package. I can’t believe the ‘pity’ and ‘poor’ narrative was imposed on her when she didn’t want it.” This sentiment was echoed by kofoworola_aa, who praised her: “No ship, no pity party, no poverty strategy — just pure entertainment. A wholesome winner and 10/10 housemate. Congratulations, Imisi.”
On Instagram, the celebratory tone for Imisi’s authenticity was palpable. 22degree_creamy gushed, “First housemate to ever wear Crocs for the finale — contents plenty for here. Imisi serving us till the last minute. Well deserved, my love.” Meanwhile, @veekgram simply stated, “Nothing like a pity vote. She played the game better. Congrats to her.”
Perhaps summing up the pulse of many viewers, @gracyellasouthbenson defended Nigerians’ voting choices: “Every season you guys will rant that Nigerians vote for pity. Well, that’s why it’s a game — they all tell their stories. Even Mercy did. Make una go rest! Imisi gave us a show to watch; she was the drama we subscribed to.”
The Faith Factor: What If?
Adding another layer to the post-finale discussions was the shadow of Faith’s disqualification. User riike_001 suggested foul play: “No wonder they didn’t show how viewers voted because Faith was the actual winner. But it is what it is… Congratulations Imisi.” Faith was disqualified from Big Brother Naija Season 10 on October 2, 2025, following a physical altercation with fellow housemate Sultana, just days before the finale. His exit, due to breaching house rules, fueled claims that the results might have turned out differently.
However, this notion was swiftly rejected by others. On Facebook, NanaAma Enam Avumegah insisted, “Imisi would have won regardless of Faith’s disqualification! We don’t want to hear the cho cho chooooo again…” Another user, Maneya Gwen Israel Chilukutu, humorously celebrated the decisive margin of victory: “Who can argue?! Who should argue? When the money decided to quarantine the rest? Imisioluwa BBNaija Season 10 the light!!!!!!!”
A Dominant Force
Despite the heated social media debates and the lingering “what ifs,” Imisi’s commanding 42.8% vote share remains an undeniable testament to her overwhelming popularity. Her 10-week journey kept millions of Nigerians glued to their screens, drawn in by her complex personality and undeniable entertainment value.
Her win also etches her name in BBNaija history as the fourth female champion and the second-youngest, following Ilebaye Odiniya, who clinched Season 8 at just 22. Love her or debate her, Imisi’s victory is unequivocally one of the most talked-about finales in BBNaija history.
