In a thrilling and emotional conclusion to 10 weeks in the Big Brother Naija house, Kellyrae has been crowned the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 9, triumphing over 27 other housemates, including his wife Kassia, to claim the coveted title. The climactic finale, filled with tension and excitement, saw Kellyrae rise as the last man standing, walking away with an impressive grand prize of N100-million, which includes cash and a car—an estimated value of over ZAR R1 million.
Before being declared the champion in a two-hour finale, Kellyrae—who entered the show as one half of the duo “DoubleKay” alongside his then-secret wife, Kassia—expressed his surprise at making it to the top two. Speaking to host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and the live studio audience, Kellyrae reflected on his journey:
“I’m very surprised to have made it this far,” he admitted. “You told us couples don’t usually last in this game, so I’m thrilled my wife and I broke that record. And, of course, there are other records still waiting to be broken. Calling my wife just a friend was probably the biggest lie I’ve ever told.”
The runner-up, Wanni, also shared her pride and gratitude, stating:
“I never expected to make it to the final two, but I’m grateful. I’ve achieved everything I came here for. Wanni x Handi are taking over the world—it’s all about the money now, baby!”
Kellyrae edged out six other finalists—Sooj, Anita, Ozee, Nelly, Victoria, and Onyeka—to claim victory in one of the most closely followed seasons of Big Brother Naija to date. The energy in the studio was palpable, with the host joined by Toke Makinwa, who presented live from a fan park where the atmosphere matched the high energy of the studio audience. Adding to the excitement, former housemates from both the current and past seasons made appearances, while musical performances from Joeboy and Qing Madi kept the night electric.
In a poignant opening tribute, Big Brother himself acknowledged the top eight finalists, saying, “Despite all the challenges, you didn’t lose your drive or ambition. Finalists, you stood tall.” The finale saw the remaining housemates eliminated one by one, beginning with Sooj, who graciously exited saying, “I feel like a winner already. This journey has been a victory for me.”
Anita, part of the last standing pair with Nelly as “Nelita,” was next to be evicted. She expressed her pride, saying:
“Coming into this house, I didn’t think I’d make it past week four, but here I am—still standing on the final day. That’s a win for me.”
Ozee, who followed, focused on the personal growth he experienced, sharing:
“It’s not about the prize, but the journey. This is just the beginning for me.”
Nelly, who had auditioned for Big Brother Naija nine times before making it onto the show, was thrilled with her journey:
“Everyone knows I’m all about my brand, so you can expect big things from me moving forward.”
Victoria, who narrowly missed a top-three finish, was overcome with gratitude:
“Being a finalist means the world to me. I never thought I’d make it this far.”
Finally, Onyeka—the last evictee—reflected on her experience, stating:
“Biggest O is always over the top, and what you saw on the show was nothing but my authentic self!”
While Kellyrae stands as the official winner of Big Brother Naija Season 9, the experience has been life-changing for all the housemates. In Biggie’s closing words to the finalists, he reminded them of the vast opportunities that await beyond the house:
“Beyond these walls is a world eagerly awaiting your arrival, a sky full of stars ready to shine. Go forth and blaze in your glory.”
Kellyrae’s triumph marks the end of an unforgettable season, but as Ebuka put it, this is only the beginning of the housemates’ journeys. Congratulations to Kellyrae and all the contestants who made this season of Big Brother Naija truly extraordinary!
What a season!
