Former Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates, Abi and Araga, have opened up on their experiences in the reality show, reflecting on relationships, friendships, emotional challenges and the lessons they learned during their time in the house.
The duo, who were evicted from the show recently, spoke separately about their journeys, offering insights into some of the moments and relationships that shaped their experience.
For Abi, being a married woman presented a unique challenge, particularly in her interactions with some of the male housemates.
She said: “The hardest thing was connecting with the guys. It was difficult for me to flow with some of the male housemates because I am married. It became a big problem because they would sometimes back off, especially during parties. They would say, ‘Oh, she’s married, let’s back off.’”
The reality star also said one of her major lessons from the show was the need to be more careful about what she shares with people.
“Not opening up too much to people. You never know who will turn around and use what you told them against you during an argument. That was something I learned in the house,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Abi said she formed friendships she intends to maintain, particularly her bond with Araga.
“Yes, Araga. I can never get rid of him. I also want to maintain the friendships I had with the other housemates who were genuinely my friends, including those who left the house before me. I want to keep those connections flowing,” she said.
She also revealed that her perception of some housemates changed after getting to know them better. She cited Kassim, whom she initially misunderstood but later found to be “a very sweet and kind person.”
She also mentioned Barry, saying her first impression of him was different from the person she eventually came to know.
“When I first saw Barry, I thought he was going to be a very shallow person. But when I got to speak to him, know him better and eventually became friends with him, I realised he was just a guy. He wasn’t what I initially expected,” she said.
On being emotional in the house, Abi said her personality was similar to that of her husband, adding that dealing with people who appeared determined to provoke her was a different experience.
“Being with someone who is very emotional is one thing, but living in the same space with people who just want to tear you apart is another,” she said.
Abi also explained why she sometimes felt targeted in the house.
“Anytime I said something, they always wanted to oppose it. They were always ready to create a fight or counter what I said, and I found myself constantly explaining myself,” she said.
On her dressing during the show, the married reality star said she had always dressed that way and had the support of her husband.
“It is something I have always done, even before I got married to my husband. I feel like it is something my younger self would be proud of me for doing,” she said.
“My husband also watches the show, and he doesn’t have a problem with it. Even when he sees me dressed that way, he is always happy to see me having fun and enjoying myself.”
Araga: I wouldn’t change anything
For Araga, patience was one of the biggest lessons he took away from the reality show.
“Being patient. I wasn’t patient when I was doing some of the activities in the house and dealing with certain situations. So, I learned to be more patient,” he said.
Asked if there was anything he would have done differently if given another opportunity to enter the house, Araga said he had no regrets.
“Nothing. I wouldn’t change anything. I did what I did, and I don’t want to change anything about it,” he said.
The reality star also said he achieved his initial goal of coming out of his shell, noting that his behaviour in the house surprised people who knew him outside the show.
“Nobody outside the house knew I was going to do the things I did inside the house. So, I feel like I accomplished what I came to do. I had fun, made friends and enjoyed myself,” he said.
Araga also addressed his much-discussed relationship with fellow housemate Godessa.
Describing her as “a very amazing person,” he said: “I wish her all the best, and everything that happened in the house ends in the house.”
He also dismissed the suggestion that his romantic side was merely a strategy to remain relevant on the show.
“No, honestly, that is who I am. I don’t think it was a strategy. I just came into the house, liked Godessa, and that was it. That is who I am as a lover boy, and everything just happened,” he said.
Araga further recounted how his friendship with Temi developed following an argument involving her and some other housemates.
He said he approached Temi after the disagreement and advised her to apologise to the house, although he acknowledged that Sotex was also wrong.
“She later apologised, and from there, we became close friends. We started calling each other ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Daddy Daddy’ in the house,” he said.
The former housemates’ reflections come as the Season 11 competition enters its final stretch, with the remaining housemates battling for a place in the grand finale.
