Brian ‘Bryann’ Chijoke, only topped by Josephine ‘Phyna’ Otabor, is the first runner-up in the Level Up edition of the BBNaija franchise
Bryann emerged the first runner-up after polling 26.74 votes in the show’s final week to rise above four other finalists — Adekunle Tobilola Olopade, Chidimma ‘Bella’ Okagbue, Chinenyenwa ‘Chichi’ Okoebor and Daniella Utangbe.
Bryann was only toppled by Phyna who polled 40.74 per cent of the votes to become the winner of the show.
“Thank you so much for your support, I’m really grateful to be here and can’t wait to see everybody,” an emotional Bryann said even though he didn’t win the grand prize.
The Level Up season, pitching 28 housemates against one another — 4 more than the 24 from the previous edition — featured never-before-seen twists and turns. The season’s first twist was the introduction of two house levels, which ramped up the show’s intensity and made for some perfectly played inter-level drama. Then came the ‘untouchable’ riders, followed by the Level 3 house and the Supreme Veto Power, which saw Chichi choose two other housemates to make it to the finals with her.
Amidst all the twists, pranks and surprises from Biggie, Bryann, a 22-year-old musician and entertainer, impressed fans and the voting public and constantly topped the BBNaija analytics charts as one of the top five most talked about housemates from his first week to the final week of the show.
‘Big Baby Bri’, as he is fondly called by his fandom — Vibryant, was known for his outspokenness, creativity and musical prowess, especially during tasks and presentations. Bryann was not only able to create some of the most addictive songs we’ve heard on BBNaija, but he also saved his team members time and time again in tasks.
From the start, his outfit choice stood out for its Gen-Z energy, but his self-confidence and positive mindset captured the public’s heart. Seeing a housemate who was not ready to sell a pity story but their true talent and art was refreshing.
Bryann reached the final stages of the Head of House games more than once, but he never won. Still, having made impressions on his fellow housemates and the public with his talents, fans ensured that he surmounted the hurdles of eviction anytime he was up.
According to daily BBNaija analytics released by ID Africa, a Lagos-based Media, Technology and Marketing company, the last four days before the finale, Bryann stood among the top 3 on the list of Top 5 housemates leading online conversations.
Being one of the housemates with the most earnings from the weekly challenges and tasks with over ₦4.5 million, it is still a win for for the musical genius even though he doesn’t walk home with the greatest prize of all. With this impressive platform, Bryann certainly joins the illustrious list of former BBNaija participants who have built flourishing careers in Nigeria’s creative industry by using the show as a launchpad.
In its seventh-season run, the BBNaija show has continued to draw a record audience across Africa as the biggest reality show on the continent.
The show’s guarantee of fame and wealth from brand endorsements has continued to inspire many young Nigerians to audition for reality shows. Organisers say they received over 40,000 applications for BBNaija season 7.
The grand finale aired live on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29, featuring live performances by Nigerian superstars Falz, MI Abaga, and Pheelz.