Several hours before the finale of the BBNaija 10/10, social media comments already suggested that Imisioluwa Ayanwale would emerge as the winner. She beat Dede and Koyin, who were runners-up, comfortably in the polls.
Imisi won the season with an impressive 42.8% of total votes, far ahead of first runner-up Dede, who had 15.94%, and second runner-up Koyin, who had 15.23%. That kind of lead suggests her approach resonated deeply with viewers. But what exactly was that approach, and how did it play out?
When she walked into the house ten weeks ago, she described her strategy as simple: “to be myself, build strong alliances, and always bring positive vibes,” several phrases which can mean a lot and can win nothing.
Social media comments since her victory have suggested that she benefited from a sob story; the average Nigerian, who has not lived a soft life, is down to earth, and as such deserves a chance to get life-changing money. When the season premiered on the 26th of July, one of the first images that circulated online was a picture of Imisi carrying her bag on her head, reminiscent of an old Nollywood movie where someone relocates from the ‘village to Lagos’
To be fair, Nigerians have always related to these ‘grass to grace stories;’ a quick look at the list of BBNaija winners shows a pattern of the ‘not-as-privileged individuals’ winning the reality TV show. From Efe, to Mercy, to Laycon, to Phyna, to WhiteMoney, and even Ilebaye who won the BBNaija All Stars, the winners were considered underdogs at the start of the show.
Many fans attribute Imisi’s success to her good character, with one X user saying of her win, “What an incredible moment indeed… Being kind and being humble always brings positive results despite all odds.” Others believe her dramatic personality helped her stand out. “Imisi is so, so dramatic and that strategy has brought her this far and it is about to win her $100,000,” another viewer wrote.
Still, not everyone was convinced her behaviour was genuine. Some fans accused her of using sympathy to manipulate others, with one user posting, “Congratulations Imisi, keep pretending if that’s what will make you win always.”
Her presentation also drew mixed reactions. In response to a thread suggesting that people disliked her for her aesthetics, one user on X argued, “It’s cause she does it on purpose. The outfits she wore to the parties, she wouldn’t try them outside. She is super funny and entertaining but wasn’t authentic, and that’s why some of us didn’t roll with her. The entire dressing in that house wasn’t her persona but was her strategy.”
Others described her gameplay as relying on vulnerability, what a few called a “pity strategy.” In their view, she often came across as gentle and misunderstood, which made people empathise with her and root for her success. Her calm nature and occasional emotional moments were interpreted by some as calculated ways to win sympathy and support from the public.
One user claimed, “Imisi won because of sympathy votes. She wasn’t necessarily the favorite or the exceptional one… she was given first position on the back of pity due to her poverty background. Nothing more than that.”
On the other hand, some viewers see Imisi as completely authentic, pointing out that she was herself from the moment she stepped into the house and took off her wig, as if to say, “This is me, take it or leave it.”
It is natural for users to question the final results of any reality TV show. Perhaps, the key to winning Nigerian support is to appear underprivileged, and Imisi keyed into this. But she is yet to reveal every single step of her journey in the house, or if there was a strategic plan to win Nigerians’ sympathy.
Until she does, fans and analysts will continue debating whether she was a master strategist or simply a housemate whose sincerity won people over.
Whatever the case, one thing is clear: her approach worked. Imisi emerged victorious. Whether by strategy or instinct, she played a winning game.
