Broadcasting
Adekunle Wins First Head of House Game in The BBNaija All-Stars Season As Mercy Eke Wins Black Envelope Immunity
Big Brother Naija returned yesterday with 20 former housemates accepting his challenge to take one more run in the Biggieverse. As is the show’s tradition, the housemates had to compete in a special game to decide who would lead the house for the week.
This competition is critical as the winner gets bragging rights as the first-ever All-Stars HOH, immunity, and his private lounge.
After five gruelling hours of playing the game of diversion and memory individually, Adekunle Olopade, popularly known as Bad Boy Deks, won the title with just 12 seconds on the clock. At the start of the HOH contest, Biggie announced that he would call the housemates into the arena one at a time. Whoever finishes the game fastest will be the week’s head of house.
Each housemate had 60 seconds to open 20 boxes filled with ten different items (two of each) and ten envelopes filled with pictures of the ten items arranged in the boxes. After opening each box, they memorized its content and noted which containers had identical items underneath them. After the first round, Biggie played any song of his choice, and the housemates danced for however long he chose.
The final round was the most important. When the music stopped, the housemates picked up an envelope from a basket with a picture of one of the items hidden in the boxes. They had to find the matching pair by opening the boxes one after the other. Biggie also warned that they can only open one box at a time. They are to close the box anytime they make a wrong guess while searching for the matching objects.
The game sounds interesting but isn’t as easy as it sounds. Uriel and Kiddwaya, who started the game, struggled to understand it, and Big Brother had to restart with clearer instructions.
After 16 housemates had taken a turn, Big Brother announced that the Head of House game would pause for a while, introducing the black envelope challenge. This brand-new challenge has the potential to grant at least one housemate immunity for the week’s nominations. The rule is simple – find the black envelope hidden in the house. One housemate can only have one envelope, but the search has to start after Biggie’s signal.
Some housemates flouted Biggie’s simple rule and began searching before the signal. So, Big Brother punished Kidwaya, Tolanibaj and Princess by disqualifying them from the game. Mercy and Frodd found the envelopes. While Mercy’s noted that she was immune from the week’s nomination, Frodd’s had a message to have better luck next time.
The HOH game continued after the Black Envelope game ended until Uriel and Kiddwaya rounded up the contest with their rematch. Afterwards, Big Brother announced that Alex, Ike, Cross, and Adekunle had the best time during the game, but Adekunle’s stood out with just 12 seconds. Hence, he earned the Head of House title and received the chance to choose four BFFs who would share his living quarters. Adekunle chose Seyi, Frodd, Cross, and Soma to be his BFFs for the week.
The HOH announcement led to the nominations. The housemates could only put up one person for possible eviction. Adekunle also won a nomination edge, allowing him to hear a secret. After nominating Princess, Big Brother told the HOH that they just went through a fake nomination process is fake and nobody is going home this week. He is not allowed to tell anyone.
Venita and Princess received the most nominations, with four nods each. Ilebaye received three, while Seyi and Doyin received two nominations. The housemates nominated Whitemoney, Tolanibaj, Pere, Soma, and Ike once. Big Brother extended Adekunle’s immunity to his chosen BFFs as part of his many twists. It means other housemates, excluding Adekunle, Seyi, Frodd, Cross, Soma, and Mercy, believe they are up for possible eviction.
Fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief as voting begins next week. Viewers can enjoy the show on the 24/7 channel – DStv ch. 198 and GOtv ch. 49. Remember, if you are away from home and don’t want to miss a minute of the action, you can catch up with your favourite All-Star housemates on the DStv app or Showmax.
Moniepoint Nigeria and HFM – forex and commodities broker – are the headline sponsors for the BBNaija All-Stars Edition.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
InsomniaQ Spotlights African Creativity in Lagos
T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament
Google Finally Allows Users to Change Gmail Address, Keeps Data and Services Intact
How Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance
Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
Financial Sector Faced AI, Blockchain and Organised Crime Threats in 2025 – Report
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
E-Financial2 days agoBanks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
General News2 days agoEcobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
News2 days agoHow Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance
Telecom11 hours agoGoogle Finally Allows Users to Change Gmail Address, Keeps Data and Services Intact
General News10 hours agoT2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament
News9 hours agoInsomniaQ Spotlights African Creativity in Lagos