Showbiz
Kingdom, Progress Thrill Bigi Drinks Consumers in Lagos
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Nigerian Idol Seasons 6 and 7 winners, Kingdom and Progress, respectively, put smiles on the faces of Bigi drinks consumers in Lagos last weekend.
They were at the Ikeja City Shopping Mall for Father’s Day and did not disappoint as they rendered songs that further endeared them to the hearts of their fans.
The event, which witnessed hundreds of spectators, was organised to give the consumers as well as fans the opportunity to connect with their most cherished Nigerian Idol season 6 and season 7 winners.
The atmosphere became charged as the rising star and Nigerian Idol season 6 winner, Kingdom Kroseide, who has been praised for his unique vocal sound, energetic live performances, and crowd interaction, started performing his debut single, My Father’s Got It All, which ended up beckoning the attention of fans and consumers of the Bigi drinks.
In a chit-chat with newsmen after his performance, Kingdom commended Bigi brand for taking entertainment to greater heights through viable platforms like Nigerian Idol.
Teaming up, the highly talented music singer and songwriter, Progress, who has been enjoying wide and massive love and attention from everyone – both on social media and over the internet upon winning the Nigerian Idol last edition, beautify the shopping mall with a masterpiece performance of Lift Me Up by multiple Grammy Awards winner, Rihanna.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant Brand Manager of Bigi drink, Ms Biola Aransiola, said, “We wanted to do something distinct to honour fathers on their special day as we know that fathers play an important role in their families, yet are the least celebrated, and considering footfalls, the venue is mostly the choice of fathers to hang out with their loved ones to relax, unwind and have fun in a distinctive way.”
She further added that “We believe Nigerians are blessed with raw talents, most especially in the area of music creation, and bringing those we’ve been able to accompany to the limelight closer to interact with the general public is a form of motivation to those who desire to live up to their dreams.”
On his part, Progress expressed satisfaction with the flash mob and applauded Bigi Drinks for organizing such an event.
“I’m a product of Bigi, a brand ambassador, and so delighted to have the brand going all out for young people like me, to help unlock creativity and launch into full potential, especially in the entertainment industry,” he stated.
Responding to the reception of the crowd, Kingdom said the cheers of fans and consumers who showed up from nowhere elated him.
“To be honest, I’m intrigued by the large crowd, and I want to use this medium to commend Bigi Drinks for availing this platform to receive much love from Nigerian, most especially on Father’s Day,” the budding singer said.
For an average of 72 days, Big Brother Naija becomes a constant part of daily life for millions of Nigerians and Africa at large. Whether they are streaming the 24-hour live feed on their devices during the day or catching up with the drama after the Saturday night party, viewers are completely locked in. The show consistently dominates social media feeds, stays glued to the top of X trend tables, and becomes the main topic of conversation in offices and friendship groups across the country.
Yet, while the non-stop drama and eviction twists keep everyone talking, the real story happens entirely off-camera. At the heart of BBNaija’s massive influence is a fiercely loyal fanbase that does far more than just vote. What starts as simple everyday support for a favourite housemate quickly grows into highly organised, real-world communities. Long after the season ends, these fan bases evolve into tight-knit communities that build lifelong friendships, support businesses, and fund major charity projects.
Beyond the Screen: Strangers Becoming Family
Season 10 housemate Koyin with members of his fan community, the Koyinators.
For members of the “Koyinators”, the fan community dedicated to Season 10 (10/10) housemate Koyin Sanusi, supporting their favourite contestant has evolved into a tight-knit community that crosses borders.
“Koyinators are the best. We are like family,” says Juliet, a long-time BBNaija viewer. “I have made a lot of friends through the community. Everyone is genuine and supportive.”
Juliet had actually planned to retire from active fan groups after supporting Efe in Season 2 and casually following Phyna. But Koyin changed that. “Our shared love for Koyin brought us together, but it is the love and togetherness in the community that has kept me here.”
Violet, one of the community’s administrators, points out that this bond now stretches far beyond Nigeria. “We have members from Ghana, Liberia, and Benin,” she says. “It is amazing how one person can bring so many people together.”
Mobilising for Good
While fan communities are famous for their intense voting campaigns and social media trends, their real impact happens behind the scenes.
The Koyinators regularly step up to support the brands Koyin represents. When he partnered with Minimie Noodles, the fan base organised outreach initiatives, visiting schools to distribute noodles to students. They also mobilised heavily for his Guinness campaign, proving that fan bases can drive real-world commercial value long after a season ends.
More importantly, these groups function as emotional and financial safety nets for their members.
“There was a time a member’s son had an accident, and everyone contributed to support her,” Juliet recalls. “I also experienced that love during a health scare. A lot of people turned up for me.”
For Violet, these moments define the true spirit of the fandom. “The love we show each other is real. It is hard to fake that kind of love.”
Life Lessons Amid the Drama
Despite the show’s massive popularity, critics sometimes dismiss reality television as a mere distraction. However, dedicated viewers see it differently. They view the Arena Games, Head of House challenges, and weekly wager presentations as masterclasses in creativity, teamwork, resilience, and strategic thinking.
“I do not see the show as a distraction,” Violet argues. “It helps me relax. If people call BBNaija a distraction, then they should also call the World Cup a distraction.”
For both Juliet and Violet, what draws them to a housemate is authenticity. They look for contestants who are real, active, and competitive. It provides them with entertainment, stress relief, and a shared experience that brings their own families closer together.
An Enduring Legacy
After ten seasons, Big Brother Naija’s legacy is no longer just about the winners it crowns or the celebrity careers it launches. Its truest impact lives in the communities built around it.
The physical Big Brother House closes its doors after 71 days, but the virtual communities stay open. Long after the cameras stop rolling, fans continue to celebrate milestones together, champion charitable causes, and welcome new friends.
For millions of viewers, BBNaija is no longer just a show they watch; it is a community where they truly belong.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
More than 4.8 million violative videos were removed by TikTok on its platform in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2026, the company’s Q1 2026 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report revealed.
It was disclosed that this number only represents 0.6 per cent of the total number of videos uploaded by the Nigerian TikTok community between January and March 2026.
Analysis showed that 99.8 per cent of the violating content was detected and removed before it was reported by users, while 92.8 per cent of violating content was removed within 24 hours of being posted.
Globally, TikTok yanked off over 184 million videos in the period under review, representing only 0.5 per cent of the total number of videos uploaded on TikTok.
Also, TikTok said it strengthened its anti-spam policy by removing about 118,000 pieces of content in Nigeria under the policy for edited media and AI-generated content (AIGC), while more than 86 million fake accounts were deleted globally.
Further, more than three billion videos have now been labelled as AI-generated content using TikTok’s combination of Content Credentials, creator disclosure tools and invisible watermarking technology, marking a significant milestone in helping people better understand when content has been created or significantly edited using AI.
It no doubt that AI is opening up exciting new opportunities for creativity and storytelling, but as technology evolves, it can also be misused to mass-produce spam that crowds out original creators and undermines trust.
To stay ahead of these evolving challenges, TikTok is testing enhanced detection systems designed to identify accounts dedicated to posting AI-generated spam.
To sanitise its platform, especially as regards TikTok LIVE, efforts have been made to collaborate with local government organisations, such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), as well as civil society organisations, ensuring a coordinated and robust response to any potential challenges.
In three months, TikTok suspended 120,000 LIVE sessions in Nigeria for violating Community Guidelines, 40,000 more than in the previous reporting period, proving that the platform has bolstered safety measures.
Globally, more than 58 million LIVE enforcement actions were taken, including the suspension of 50,791,858 LIVE sessions and warnings or demonetisation for 21,966,667 LIVE creators for violating policies.
Warnings serve as an opportunity to educate creators when their content may breach LIVE monetisation policies, allowing them to make necessary changes.
TikTok also emphasises its commitment to keeping the TikTok LIVE experience safe. These efforts include a continuous focus on interrupting violating streams and executing monetisation enforcement actions (both demonetisation and warnings).
TikTok says it remains committed to providing greater visibility into its enforcement efforts through its Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports. As part of this commitment, it has refreshed the design and usability of its reports, making them easier for users to navigate and understand.
Showbiz
Former BBNaija Housemates Reflect on Life, Growth, Success Beyond the Show at Season 11 Media Launch
Big Brother Naija’s evolution from a reality show into a platform for creativity, entrepreneurship and career growth took centre stage at the Media Launch for season 11 on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. Former housemates Uriel, Doyin, Kola and DJ Flo reflected on how the show helped shape their careers while sharing the lessons they have learnt navigating life after reality television.
During the conversation, the former housemates agreed that while Big Brother Naija gave them visibility and opened doors, building successful careers after the show has required intentionality, consistency and a willingness to evolve beyond their reality television personas.
Doyin David from Season 7 Level Up and Season 8 All Stars shared one of the day’s most personal reflections, revealing that her biggest lesson began while she was still in the house.
“One of my biggest lessons actually started in the House. Watching myself back made me realise I did not know myself as much as I thought I did.”
She explained that finding a balance between her personal life and her public brand was a gradual process.
“As for balancing my personal life and my brand, it did not happen immediately after the show. I had to learn along the way, make mistakes, grow from them and eventually find that balance.”
Uriel Oputa from Season 2 See Gobbe and Season 8 All Stars spoke about building a career around wellness, explaining that her passion for healthy living did not begin after the show but became more visible because of the platform Big Brother Naija provided.
“I did not have to find a balance because healthy living is already my lifestyle. It is what I do every day. It is not something I switch on or off because of the entertainment industry; it is simply who I am.”
Flora Chiedo, popularly known as DJ Flo from Season 9 No Loose Guard, emphasised that while Big Brother Naija creates opportunities, success ultimately depends on what housemates do after leaving the House.
“Vision without execution is just hallucination. The show gives you an opportunity, but it does not do the work for you. You have to come out here and put in extra work every day.”
Kola Omotosho, Season 10 10/10 housemate, echoed the sentiment, describing Big Brother Naija as a valuable platform that gave him visibility while stressing that passion, drive and consistency are essential for staying relevant.
“Big Brother Naija gave me visibility, and I am grateful for that. But staying relevant requires passion, drive and consistency.”
The discussion reinforced one of the defining impacts of Big Brother Naija over the years. Beyond entertainment, the show has continued to serve as a launching pad for creatives, entrepreneurs and entertainers, providing contestants with the visibility to pursue careers across different industries. As the former housemates’ experiences have shown, the platform opens the door, but sustained success depends on what each individual chooses to build from the opportunity.
Big Brother Naija Season 11 premieres on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with the live launch show airing from 7:00 p.m. on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. The season marks betPawa’s debut as the Headline Sponsor, while House of Guinness joins as the Gold Sponsor and Minimie returns as the Associate Sponsor. Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the 24-hour live show will air on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49. Fans can also watch the show live via DStv and GOtv Stream.
