As Big Brother Naija prepares to kick off its landmark tenth season, former housemate Tolanibaj has shared blunt advice that every potential contestant should hear.
She posted a video on TikTok, speaking directly to those who are auditioning or already selected for the new season.
Her message wasn’t sugar-coated. It was sharp, personal, and filled with lessons from her own experience.
Here is a full breakdown of what she said and why it matters.
Don’t Fake It
“Things to know before you go into the Big Brother House:
Number one, be yourself. Don’t go in there and be boring. Nigerians are going to hate it. You will be surprised that it will not work in your favour.”
Tolanibaj makes it clear: performance is fine, but pretense will flop. If you are not your real self, viewers will know and tune out.
Your Look Matters Every Day
“Secondly, dress up every day. While you are going to be in the Big Brother house, it is going to seem just like a house. But no, it’s not just a house. Sometimes, you might even question, Why do I have to dress up? It’s just a house. No, baby. Remember, it is a show and also a way for you to sell yourself to fashion brands. Do your makeup every day, girls. Guys, as well, drip every day. Even though they are going to give you clothes for the Saturday night parties, still bring your clothes; in case you don’t like them, you can put on your own outfit.”
She is not just talking about looking good. She is talking about visibility, partnerships, and brand deals. Every outfit is an opportunity.
Don’t Confuse Game Play with Friendship
“The third thing on my list is that your housemates are not your friends. Understand that just because you guys are living in a house for a month, two or three months does not make you guys friends. You guys are teammates and colleagues. They are not your friends. If you do come out of the Big Brother house and there is still a friendship there, then cool, you are lucky. You are blessed to be one of the few persons that found real friends in the house. But when you come out and you realise that there has been a change in energy, don’t question it, you guys were not friends. Go back to your real friends and family who really know you. Your housemates are not your real friends.”
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This is probably her strongest warning. The BBNaija house may feel like a shared experience, but it’s also a competition. Don’t mistake proximity for loyalty.
Don’t Rely on Prize Money or the Organisers
“Fourthly, make sure you have what you want to do after the show. After the show, the organisers are not going to care about you, and you just have to keep it 100. You are going to come out and you will be going to the world and you have to figure out life. If you are thinking about using the money you won on the show to start your life, it will come, but it is not going to come immediately. If you win 10, 6 or 20 million, every week they can send you N200,000 to N500,000. So plan, don’t depend on that money.”
Her message here is to come with a plan or you will be scrambling. The post-show glow fades fast.
Eviction Is Not the End
“Fifthly, the real show starts after the show. Once you get evicted or when the show is over, if you win the show, it is even better. But if you don’t win the show, life is not over. It is not about how far you go in the game, it is what you do after the show.”
Whether you last two weeks or make it to the finale, what counts most is what happens after the cameras stop rolling.
The fabulous DJ and entrepenuer has lived the experience and seen what happens when the lights go off.
Her advice strips away illusions and prepares aspiring housemates for the real game, building a life beyond the fame.