Former Big Brother Naija housemate Tolanibaj has offered practical advice to aspiring contestants as the 10th edition of the reality TV show approaches.
In a video posted on her TikTok page, the reality star, whose real name is Tolani Shobajo, shared five key tips based on her experience in the house.
“Number one, be yourself. Don’t go in there and be boring. Nigerians are going to hate it. You will be surprised that it will not work in your favour,” she began.
For her second tip, Tolanibaj encouraged housemates to always look their best inside the house, noting that appearances can attract fashion endorsement deals.
“Dress up every day. While you are going to be in the Big Brother house, it is going to seem just like a house. But no, it’s not just a house. Sometimes, you might even question, Why do I have to dress up? It’s just a house.
“No, baby. Remember, it is a show and also a way for you to sell yourself to fashion brands. Do your makeup every day, girls. Guys, as well, drip every day. Even though they are going to give you clothes for the Saturday night parties, still bring your clothes; in case you don’t like them, you can put on your own outfit.”
In her third tip, the media personality warned aspiring housemates not to mistake co-contestants for friends.
“The third thing on my list is that your housemates are not your friends. Understand that just because you guys are living in a house for a month, two or three months does not make you guys friends. You guys are teammates and colleagues. They are not your friends.
“If you do come out of the Big Brother house and there is still a friendship there, then cool, you are lucky. You are blessed to be one of the few persons that found real friends in the house.
“But when you come out and you realise that there has been a change in energy, don’t question it, you guys were not friends. Go back to your real friends and family who really know you. Your housemates are not your real friends.”
Her fourth point urged housemates to plan for life beyond the show.
“Make sure you have what you want to do after the show. After the show, the organisers are not going to care about you, and you just have to keep it 100. You are going to come out and you will be going to the world and you have to figure out life.
“If you are thinking about using the money you won on the show to start your life, it will come, but it is not going to come immediately. If you win 10, 6 or 20 million, every week they can send you N200,000 to N500,000. So plan, don’t depend on that money.”
In her final tip, she reminded fans that the true challenge begins after the show ends.
“The real show starts after the show. Once you get evicted or when the show is over, if you win the show, it is even better. But if you don’t win the show, life is not over. It is not about how far you go in the game, it is what you do after the show.”
Tolanibaj made her debut on Big Brother Naija during the Lockdown edition in 2020, where she had a brief romance with fellow housemate Prince before being evicted on day 43.
Despite her early exit, she built a loyal fan base and established herself as a DJ, media personality and entrepreneur.
She returned in 2023 for the All Stars edition with a more strategic mindset, revealing in interviews that her participation was partly to honour her late father.
During her second stint, she developed a connection with fellow house mate Neo Akpofure and was evicted after 36 days alongside Frodd on August 27.
Reflecting on her journey, she described the experience as “adventurous” and said she was proud of how she carried herself.
In a post-eviction interview, she said, “I deliberately avoided playing the pity card,” a strategy she noted is often used by housemates to gain public sympathy and votes.
