BBNaija season 9: Meet the 28 Housemates split into 14 exciting pairs

• The ninth season of Big Brother Naija has erupted onto our screens tonight, introducing a thrilling lineup of 28 housemates, who have strutted into the house in 14 sizzling pairs.
• For the next 71 rollercoaster days, this stunning and opulent house will be the battleground for these dynamic duos.
• Living under the unyielding gaze of 24/7 surveillance, these better-as-pairs contestants will face twists, turns, as they scheme, plot, and vie for ultimate glory this season 

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The highly anticipated Big Brother Naija Season 9 premieres today, Sunday, July 28, delivering an electrifying twist: housemates will compete in dynamic pairs.

This season is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with the ultimate prize of a whopping N100 million awaiting the victorious winner.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returns as the charismatic host for this year’s edition, unveiling 14 captivating pairs, making up a total of 28 housemates.

Among them are siblings, lovers, and friends, all set to ignite the house with their unique dynamics and fierce competition.

MEET THE 14 PAIRS

1) Aces

Aces (Sooj and Topher)

Relationship: Friends for one year

Sooj (23) Communications Specialist

Origin: Imo State

Topher (24) Public Relations Analyst

Origin: Lagos State

It was friendship at first sight for this fashion duo, when Sooj interviewed for a job at the PR firm Topher worked at. The two started vining from the jump after Topher complemented his fit.

2) Zinwe

Relationship: Dating for six months

Chinwe (30) Beauty and Skincare Entrepreneur

Origin: Imo State

Zion (26) Model and Fashion Designer

Origin: Edo State

These two lovebirds met on the eve of a mutual friend’s bachelor party but didn’t talk until after the party moved to the club.

3) Wanni x Handi

Relationship: Twin sisters and best friends

Wanni and Handi (27) Deejays

Origin: Kaduna State

A sisterhood fuelled by passion, resilience, and an unbreakable bond, Wanni and Handi’s relationship started with sharing the same space in their mother’s womb 27 years ago and it has blossomed into an inseparable bond between the two.

4) Tami

Relationship: Best friends for 8 years

Damilola (28) Nightlife PR Manager            Origin: Osun State

Toyosi (26) Beautician

Origin: Osun State

A perfect picture taken at a Lagos TV event in 2016 led to a solid sisterhood for these self-proclaimed twins. Damilola not only took a photo that Toyosi loved, but she also managed to calm ­­­­­­­ anxiety, making her a keeper.

5) Streeze

Streeze (Mayor and Toby)

Relationship: Friends since 2022

Mayor (24) Media Director/Content Creator

Origin: Oyo State

Toby (27) Content Creator and Dance Artiste

Origin: Ondo State

When these two content creators met, there was an instant connection. They quickly realised they were perfect for each other, creatively and personally.

6) Shatoria

Shatoria (Shaun and Victoria)

Relationship: Friends for over a year

Victoria: (25) Travel consultant and commercial model

Origin: Imo State

Shaun: (28) Entrepreneur, model and actor

Origin: Edo State

The vibrant nightlife of Dubai gave birth to a strong connection for Victoria and Shaun. Their shared love of travelling and nightlife has created a balanced and enduring friendship.

7) Radicals

Radicals (Fairme David and Michky)

Relationship: Friends

Fairme David (29) Professional Dancer and Content Creator

Origin: Delta State

Michky (24) Gym instructor

Origin: Edo State

Their friendship started after a chance encounter at the gym and was further strengthened by their shared love for ‘Big ikebe’. “We have not known each other for so long but now it seems like we have known each other for decades,” Michky says about his bond with Fairme David.

8) Nelita

Nelita (Anita and Queen Nelly)

Relationship: Friends for 9 years

Anita (28) Specialist Practitioner

Origin: Imo State

Queen Nelly (29) Chef and Entertainer

Origin: Abia State

These two met at a beauty pageant audition in Owerri, Imo State and they connected instantly. When Anita won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 2018, Queen Nelly distanced herself because she felt she was no longer in the same “class” as her friend. However, Anita had a pleasant surprise for her. “My stubborn friend didn’t let go, she tried her best to check up on me and always reached out every chance she could.

9) Ndi Nne

Ndi Nne (Chinne and Mary)

Relationship: Niece and aunt

Mary (22) Entrepreneur

Origin: Anambra State

Chinne (31) Entrepreneur

Origin: Anambra State

The duo’s bond started with Mary’s birth in 2002 and grew stronger when Chinne moved in with Mary’s parents. This arrangement made the two ladies inseparable, sharing every moment of their lives. “My aunt was like a big sister to me. She taught me vital things and we bonded like siblings,” Mary said about their relationship.

10) Mbadiwe Twins

Mbadiwe twins (Ocee and Ozee)

Relationship: Identical twins

Ocee and Ozee (37) Lawyers, Entertainers, Entrepreneur

Origin: Imo State

These two are bound by blood and shaped by life. Their journey began together in their mother’s womb. As identical twins, they have an unbreakable connection.

11) Floruish

Floruish (DJ Flo and Rhuthee)

Relationship: Long-term friends (10 years)

DJ Flo (27) Deejay

Origin: Imo State

Rhuthee (32) Event Planner and Caterer

Origin: Akwa Ibom State

Their decade-strong friendship was forged in a Ghanaian school and cemented by shared experiences.

12) DoubleKay

DoubleKay (KellyRae and KayXtra)

Relationship: Married for 5 months, together over 9 years

KayXtra (30) Entrepreneur

Origin: Delta State

KellyRae (33) Professional singer

Origin: Delta State

A game of hard-to-get over nine years ago led to a fairy tale story with a happily ever after for DoubleKay. Married since February 2024, the married couple is ready to showcase who they are and what they can do on the biggest platform they know.

13) Chekas

Chekas (Chizoba and Onyeka)

Relationship: Sisters and best friends

Chizoba (31) Software Developer

Origin: Anambra State

Onyeka (28) Lawyer and Entrepreneur

Origin: Anambra State

Their bond as sisters was formed the minute Onyeka, the younger sister, was born. In Chizoba’s words, “We hit it off from the first day I laid my eyes on her”. As sisters, they sure have their differences, but this doesn’t stop them for having each other’s backs during challenging times

14) Beta

Beta (Ben and Tjay)

Relationship: Friends for six years

Ben (29) Club influencer

Origin: Delta State

Tjay (33) Medical Doctor

Origin: Ogun State

Not your regular kind of friendship … but these two are not just friends, but business partners too. They randomly met on Instagram in 2018 and neither of them knew that one comment would be the beginning of a lasting friendship.