Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has opened up about her unexpected victory, revealing that she never imagined she would walk away as the champion of the highly competitive reality show.
During a post-show interview with Arise TV, Imisi admitted that the moment her name was announced as the winner felt unreal. She explained that she had mentally prepared herself for any outcome — including defeat — and didn’t expect to be the last housemate standing on stage.
“I honestly didn’t think I would win,” she said. “When I heard my name, I froze for a second. It felt like a dream. I was even wearing crocs because I wasn’t prepared for the final announcement. I just went on stage comfortable, not expecting to be crowned the winner.”
Imisi also revealed that the moments leading up to the winner’s announcement were filled with intense anxiety and uncertainty. According to her, the atmosphere backstage was tense as each finalist waited for their fate to be revealed.
“It felt like my heart would stop,” she said.
“The pressure backstage was real. We were all holding hands, trying to calm each other down. I could feel my heart racing as Ebuka called the finalists’ names one by one. When I finally heard my name, I just broke down. It was overwhelming.”
The 23-year-old reality star expressed deep gratitude to her fans, family, and supporters for their unwavering love and votes throughout the show. She described her victory as a testament to grace and faith, rather than pure strategy or luck.
“Winning the show has taught me that grace truly speaks louder than effort. I’m forever grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported me. This win isn’t just mine—it’s for everyone who stood by me through the journey.”
[h2>Imisi reflects on her BBNaija journey[/h2]Reflecting on her time in the Big Brother house, Imisi admitted that her journey wasn’t an easy one. She faced emotional highs and lows, moments of doubt, and intense competition from other housemates. However, she credited her authenticity and positive energy as key factors that connected her with viewers.
“There were times I wanted to give up,” she shared. “But I kept reminding myself to stay true to who I am. I think that’s what the audience connected with—my realness. I laughed, cried, and lived every moment like it was my last.”
[h2>Imisi’s grand prize and future plansIt will be recalled that Imisi defeated her closest rival, Dede, by a wide margin to emerge as the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10. Her grand prize included a whopping ₦150 million, consisting of ₦80 million in cash, a brand-new Innoson SUV, and other luxury prizes from the show’s sponsors.
Following her win, Imisi revealed plans to invest part of her prize money in community-based projects and creative ventures. She stated that she hopes to use her platform to empower young women and promote mental health awareness.
“I want to do something meaningful with this opportunity,” she said. “Beyond fame, I want to inspire people—especially young women—to believe in themselves, stay consistent, and trust their journey. If I could win when I least expected it, then anything is possible.”
Fans across social media have continued to celebrate Imisi’s victory, hailing her as one of the most authentic and humble winners in the history of the BBNaija franchise.