There are housemates who enter the Big Brother Naija house and blend into the background. Then there are housemates who walk through the door and immediately make you feel like the season just started for real. Imisi was the second type.
From the moment she introduced herself on Launch Night as “the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10,” most people laughed. By October 5, 2025, nobody was laughing anymore — because she had done exactly what she said she would do. She won.
But who is Imisi beyond the viral moments, the bold declarations, and the trophy? If you’ve been searching for the complete Imisi BBN biography, you’re in the right place. This article covers everything — her real name, early life in Oyo State, her education, fashion career, BBNaija journey, personal struggles, and what she’s been up to since taking home the grand prize. Let’s get into it.
Who Exactly Is Imisi? (The Full Picture Most Sites Miss)
Imisi is a Nigerian fashion designer, actress, script writer, and reality TV personality who became a household name after winning Big Brother Naija Season 10. Her full birth name is Imisioluwa Eniola Opeyemi Ayanwale, and she’s from Awe, Oyo State. She’s 23 years old, unapologetically Yoruba, deeply Christian, and one of the most naturally entertaining people to have ever entered the BBNaija house.
But here’s what most biography pages won’t tell you.
What Does the Name “Imisi” Actually Mean in Yoruba?
The name “Imisi” isn’t just a nickname or a catchy stage name. It’s a Yoruba word that translates to “inspiration” or “breath.” It’s a deeply meaningful name, and if you pay attention to how Imisi carried herself on the show — always encouraging people, always bringing energy to a room — the name fits perfectly.
Many people don’t know her nickname carries spiritual and cultural weight. It’s not just a name; it’s almost a description of her personality.
Her Four Personalities — Opeyemi, Ayinke, Eniola, and Imisi Explained
This is something almost no one has covered properly. After leaving the BBNaija house, Imisi revealed in a post-show interview that she has four distinct personalities. She named them Opeyemi, Ayinke, Eniola, and Imisi.
Each name represents a different side of who she is — Opeyemi is the quiet, reflective girl; Ayinke is playful and free-spirited; Eniola is assertive and won’t back down; and Imisi is the public-facing entertainer the world sees on screen. It’s a fascinating self-awareness that speaks to how deeply she understands herself. Most people go through life without that kind of clarity. She’s 23.
Imisi BBN Biography at a Glance (Quick Profile)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Imisioluwa Eniola Opeyemi Ayanwale |
| Nickname | Imisi |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 2002 |
| Age | 23 years old (as of 2025) |
| State of Origin | Oyo State (Awe town) |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Religion | Christianity (Celestial Church) |
| Height | 5’5″ |
| Education | Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer, Actress, Script Writer |
| BBNaija Season | Season 10 (2025) — “10/10” |
| BBNaija Result | Winner |
| Prize | ₦80 million cash + SUV + other benefits (total ~₦150 million) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Fan Group | Ijoba 606 |
Early Life and Family Background
Growing Up in Oyo State — Culture, Faith, and Creativity
Imisi was born on January 24, 2002, in Oyo State, Nigeria. She grew up in a deeply Yoruba household where culture wasn’t just celebrated — it was lived daily. From the traditional festivals to the language, the food, and the storytelling traditions, Imisi absorbed everything around her with open eyes and an eager heart.
Growing up in the Southwest exposed her to a world rich in performance and expression. She was the kind of child who organized little shows with her neighborhood friends, recreated Nollywood scenes, and sketched outfit ideas before she even knew that “fashion designer” was an actual career path. Her creative instincts weren’t taught to her; they just were.
She’s also a fervent Christian who attends a Celestial Church (white garment church). Her faith is a major part of her identity and has been a quiet anchor through some of the toughest chapters of her life.
Her Parents and the Role Her Mother Played
Imisi’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ayanwale. While details about her father are kept relatively private, her mother has been a visible and vocal supporter throughout her BBNaija journey. During the show, viewers could see how much her mum’s support meant to her — it was emotional and real.
It was her mother, a hardworking woman, who encouraged her creative interests from an early age. She didn’t just allow Imisi to dream; she gave her the space to build. That kind of maternal support is rare, and Imisi has credited it as one of the reasons she dared to chase something as unpredictable as entertainment.
From Ibadan to Lagos — Why She Made the Move
At some point, Ibadan wasn’t big enough for the ambitions Imisi was carrying. Like many young Nigerians with dreams in fashion and entertainment, she made the move to Lagos — the city that doesn’t sleep and doesn’t take shortcuts.
Lagos gave her access to a broader market for her fashion label, connections in the Nigerian film industry, and eventually the opportunity to audition for one of the biggest reality shows on the continent. It was a bold move, and it paid off.
Education — What School Did Imisi Actually Attend?
The Yabatech vs University of Ibadan Confusion Cleared Up
This is a topic that caused a lot of back-and-forth on social media and in profile articles. Even inside the BBNaija house, Imisi herself gave confusing signals — she told one housemate she finished school, then told another she didn’t.
Here’s what the facts actually say: Imisi graduated from Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos. This is confirmed by her Wikipedia entry and multiple reputable news outlets including The Nation Newspaper. Some earlier articles — particularly those written before the finale — mistakenly linked her to the University of Ibadan, possibly based on unverified information circulating at the start of the season.
Yabatech is one of Nigeria’s most well-regarded institutions for technical and creative education. Graduating from there isn’t something to minimize — it’s a real achievement, especially for someone building a fashion brand.
What She Studied and How It Shaped Her Career
Imisi pursued fashion design and obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) from Yabatech. The school gave her both technical skill and an entrepreneurial foundation. She learned how to work with fabrics, understand construction, develop a design eye, and run a small creative business — all things she’d need before and after BBNaija.
Imisi’s Career Before BBNaija
Her Fashion Label — Style, Aesthetic, and What Makes It Unique
Before the BBNaija cameras ever captured her face, Imisi was already in the business of making people look good. Her fashion label blends traditional Nigerian fabrics — think Ankara, Adire, and Aso-oke — with clean, contemporary silhouettes. The results are pieces that are culturally rooted but modern enough to wear anywhere.
What sets her work apart from a sea of Nigerian fashion designers is intent. Imisi designs with her audience in mind: young, culturally proud Nigerian women who don’t want to choose between their heritage and their current taste. She started building this label from the ground up, handling everything from sewing to client relationships, which gave her a grounded understanding of what it takes to run a business.
Acting in Yoruba Films — Small Roles, Big Dreams
Fashion was never going to be enough to hold Imisi’s energy. Acting was always part of the plan. She began landing small parts in Yoruba films, performing alongside actors in the booming Yoruba Nollywood space. These weren’t major productions — but they were significant because they gave her screen time, performance confidence, and an understanding of how the industry works from the inside.
Her expressiveness, quick wit, and natural ability to hold attention made her well-suited for acting. The camera just likes her.
Script Writing — The Hidden Talent Nobody Talks About
Here’s a detail that almost every biography misses. Imisi isn’t just a designer and actress. She’s also a script writer. The Nation Newspaper listed it alongside her other career titles after her win, but it barely got a paragraph anywhere.
This is significant because it suggests Imisi has creative control in her own hands. She’s not just performing other people’s stories — she’s capable of writing her own. That skill, combined with her fashion business and acting ambition, positions her as a genuine multi-hyphenate creative.
The Bolaji Ogunmola Connection
Before Imisi even won the show, veteran Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola was publicly supporting her. Ogunmola called out her resilience and growth and urged fans not to count her out. For an established screen actress to publicly back a housemate speaks volumes — it suggests the acting community saw real potential in her before the general public caught on.
That kind of endorsement carries weight in Nollywood, and it’s likely to open doors when Imisi starts pursuing film roles more seriously.
Imisi’s BBNaija Season 10 Journey (The Full Story)
Launch Night — How She Entered the House
Big Brother Naija Season 10, titled “10/10,” premiered on July 26, 2025, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. When Imisi walked onto that stage and declared herself the winner before a single eviction had happened, you could hear the audience react — half in amusement, half in genuine curiosity.
It was a masterclass in first impressions. She didn’t walk in quietly hoping to be noticed. She walked in loud, certain, and fully herself. That moment set the tone for everything that followed.
Her Gameplay Strategy — Alliances, Humor, and Emotional Intelligence
Imisi’s strategy inside the house was sophisticated in a way that didn’t look like strategy. She built alliances without appearing calculating. She used humor to diffuse tension before it became conflict. And she showed emotional intelligence in moments that would have broken less self-aware contestants.
She’s also known for her constant narration of events in the house — a quirk that some housemates found irritating but that viewers absolutely loved. She essentially provided live commentary on her own reality show while being inside the reality show. It’s the kind of meta-awareness that makes for great television.
She navigated 10 weeks of tasks, nominations, evictions, live shows, and interpersonal drama while staying largely consistent to who she was. That consistency was her real competitive edge.
The Controversies Inside the House
No BBNaija season is complete without drama, and Imisi wasn’t entirely immune to it. One notable moment came when fellow housemate Doris Okorie suggested to Jason Jae that Imisi might not fully understand English and needed things explained in simpler terms. The comment sparked a significant conversation on X (formerly Twitter) about perception, bias, and how people underestimate others.
Imisi didn’t engage with the drama directly, which was actually the smarter move. Her communication on screen — witty, clear, expressive — made the comment look absurd to anyone watching. Her fans rallied around her, and the moment likely added to her support base rather than hurt it.
Winning the Grand Prize — What Happened at the Finale
On October 5, 2025, the BBNaija Season 10 grand finale aired. After 10 weeks of competition involving 29 housemates, Imisi emerged victorious. She beat first runner-up Dede and second runner-up Koyin to claim the title.
Her prize package included ₦80 million in cash, a brand new sport utility vehicle, and additional benefits totaling approximately ₦150 million in value. It was one of the most celebrated BBNaija finales in recent memory, and her victory was met with mass jubilation — especially among young Yoruba women and her growing fanbase.
Imisi’s Win in BBNaija History — Why It Matters
The Fourth Female Winner
When Imisi won, she became only the fourth woman in Big Brother Naija’s history to take home the top prize. In a show that has historically been dominated by male winners, that’s not a small thing. It’s a data point about representation, about which kinds of stories connect with Nigerian viewers, and about the evolving audience of one of Africa’s biggest TV shows.
One of the Youngest Champions Ever
At 23 years old, Imisi also became one of the youngest BBNaija winners in the show’s history. The only person who beat her record in terms of age was Ilebaye Odiniya, who won Season 8 at 22. Youth didn’t hold Imisi back — it was, in many ways, part of her appeal. She represented young Nigerians who are building things, dreaming loudly, and refusing to wait their turn.
Personal Life — Love, Loss, and Healing
Who Is Hakeem? The Ex-Boyfriend Story
Imisi’s most personal storyline of the season wasn’t part of any task — it came from her own life. Before entering the BBNaija house, she was in a relationship with a man named Hakeem. They lived together for about a year. The relationship ended roughly four months before she joined the show.
By her account, Hakeem was unfaithful — he got her pregnant and largely checked out emotionally, leaving her to navigate one of the hardest experiences of her life largely alone. Imisi also mentioned that he had her name tattooed on his body, which adds an odd layer to the story. The relationship ended, and she walked into BBNaija carrying scars that she chose not to hide.
Her Pregnancy Loss and Mental Health Journey
Inside the house, Imisi opened up about losing her baby at four months into the pregnancy. It was a raw, emotional moment that resonated deeply with viewers. The stress of the toxic relationship had taken a physical toll on her body, and the loss was something she was still processing when she entered the competition.
What struck people wasn’t just the pain of the story — it was how she told it. Without self-pity, without bitterness. She framed it as something that made her stronger, more resilient, and more intentional about her mental health. She has since become a quiet but genuine advocate for mental health awareness, particularly among young Nigerian women who often carry these experiences in silence.
What Imisi Says About Love and Relationships Now
She went into the house single and came out single — and she’s at peace with that. Imisi has said clearly that she values trust, depth, and real emotional connection over surface-level “vibes.” She’s not in a rush. She’s healing, growing, and building. Love, when it comes, will need to meet her at a higher standard than before.
That kind of self-possession in a 23-year-old is something many viewers found deeply admirable.
Imisi’s Net Worth and Life After BBNaija
Prize Money, Endorsements, and Brand Deals
Since winning the show, Imisi’s financial picture has changed dramatically. Before BBNaija, estimates of her net worth ranged from ₦15 million to ₦60 million — figures built on her fashion label earnings and small acting gigs. After winning ₦80 million in cash plus additional prize benefits totaling around ₦150 million, her financial baseline shifted completely.
Add to that the brand endorsements, ambassadorial deals, and media appearances that typically follow a BBNaija win, and Imisi’s post-show net worth is genuinely hard to pin down. Conservative estimates in late 2025 placed it between $50,000 and $100,000, but that figure is almost certainly growing.
Plans for Her Fashion Business
One of the first things Imisi said after her win was that she planned to expand her fashion label nationwide. She wants her designs reaching women beyond Oyo and Lagos — and with her new national profile, that’s a realistic goal. She’s talked about creating a more structured brand, hiring staff, and developing collections that can compete at a higher level.
Nollywood Ambitions Going Forward
Acting has always been the parallel dream. With Bolaji Ogunmola’s endorsement still fresh, a growing public profile, and natural screen charisma, Imisi is well-positioned to land meaningful roles in Nollywood. She’s expressed interest in Yoruba cinema specifically, where her cultural authenticity and language fluency would be genuine assets rather than just selling points.
Script writing adds another layer — she could eventually create projects that she both writes and stars in. That would be something rare and genuinely exciting in the current Nigerian entertainment landscape.
Imisi’s Fanbase — Who Are Ijoba 606?
Every BBNaija winner has a fanbase, but Imisi’s supporters have a name that carries cultural weight: Ijoba 606. “Ijoba” is a Yoruba word meaning “kingdom” or “government,” and the 606 is a tag the fanbase adopted to identify themselves as a collective. It’s not just a fan group — it functions more like a community.
During the show, Ijoba 606 organized voting campaigns, flooded social media with trending hashtags, and showed up for Imisi consistently across platforms. Her Instagram following, which was reportedly at just 66 before the BBNaija announcement, exploded to hundreds of thousands by the time the season ended. That kind of growth doesn’t happen without an organized, passionate fanbase working behind the scenes.
Imisi BBN Quick Facts
- Her full name is Imisioluwa Eniola Opeyemi Ayanwale
- “Imisi” is a Yoruba word meaning “inspiration” or “breath”
- She was born on January 24, 2002, making her an Aquarius
- She stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall
- She graduated from Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech)
- She is a fashion designer, actress, and script writer
- She won BBNaija Season 10 on October 5, 2025
- She is the fourth female winner in BBNaija history
- She is one of the youngest winners at 23 years old
- Her ex-boyfriend’s name is Hakeem
- Her fan group is called Ijoba 606
- She attends a Celestial Church and identifies strongly as a Christian
- She has four self-described personalities: Opeyemi, Ayinke, Eniola, and Imisi
Frequently Asked Questions About Imisi BBN
What is Imisi’s real name?
Imisi’s real name is Imisioluwa Eniola Opeyemi Ayanwale. She goes by the nickname “Imisi,” which is the shortened form of Imisioluwa and also a Yoruba word meaning “inspiration” or “breath.”
How old is Imisi and when is her birthday?
Imisi was born on January 24, 2002, which makes her 23 years old as of 2025. She celebrated her 24th birthday in January 2026. She’s an Aquarius.
Where is Imisi from?
Imisi hails from Awe town in Oyo State, Nigeria. She’s Yoruba by tribe and grew up largely in Ibadan before eventually relocating to Lagos to pursue her fashion and entertainment career.
Did Imisi win BBNaija Season 10?
Yes. Imisi won Big Brother Naija Season 10, also known as the “10/10” edition. The grand finale aired on October 5, 2025, and she beat first runner-up Dede and second runner-up Koyin to claim the prize.
What school did Imisi attend?
Imisi graduated from Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos, where she studied fashion design and earned an Ordinary National Diploma. Some earlier reports incorrectly linked her to the University of Ibadan; the confirmed institution is Yabatech.
What is Imisi’s net worth in 2025?
Before BBNaija, her net worth was estimated at roughly ₦15 million to ₦60 million based on her fashion work. After winning the ₦80 million grand prize and total benefits worth approximately ₦150 million, her net worth is now estimated between $50,000 and $100,000 and continues to grow with endorsements and media deals.
Who is Imisi’s ex-boyfriend?
Imisi’s ex-boyfriend is a man named Hakeem. They were in a live-in relationship for about a year before separating four months prior to the BBNaija Season 10 launch. Imisi spoke openly about the relationship during the show, including the pregnancy loss she experienced while with him.
What does Imisi plan to do after BBNaija?
Imisi has spoken about several goals post-show: expanding her fashion label nationwide, pursuing acting roles in Nollywood (particularly in Yoruba cinema), and potentially developing her own scripts for production. She’s also become an informal advocate for mental health awareness and youth empowerment — two causes she’s referenced repeatedly in interviews since her win.