Recently evicted Big Brother Naija housemate, Benjamin Olufemi, popularly known as Ben, has opened up about his decision to leave the United Kingdom and participate in the reality show. Ben, who was part of the Season 9 edition of BBNaija, revealed that his permanent residency status in the UK and his career as a nightlife promoter allowed him the flexibility to take part in the popular show.
In an interview with journalists following his eviction, Ben explained that his line of work, which revolves around nightlife events primarily held on weekends, gave him the opportunity to step away from his business temporarily. He shared that his main motivation for joining Big Brother Naija was to further promote his nightlife brand.
Ben revealed that his decision was sparked when a friend, Tjay, reached out with the idea to join BBNaija together. Given his status as a permanent resident in the UK and the flexibility of his nightlife business, Ben saw the show as a platform to boost his career.
I’m not doing a 9 to 5 job, Ben said. Tjay reached out to me and said let us pair together. So if I was doing a 9 to 5 or under a student visa, I would not have come. But I’m a permanent resident in the UK, so nightlife is on the weekend.
Ben viewed BBNaija as a powerful tool to market himself and his business. I came for Big Brother to push my nightlife 100%. To sell myself. I tell people that I organize parties, and people would come to my parties, he added.
Known for his energetic personality and successful event promotion, Ben shared that he had already built a reputation in the nightlife scene, with partygoers associating his events with excitement. People now even use the tagline Action Ben, no party, he noted with pride, pointing out that his involvement in BBNaija would only enhance his brand’s visibility.
However, participating in the show came with its own set of challenges. Ben explained that the most difficult part of the process was ensuring that all his bills were taken care of before he entered the BBNaija house. As a business owner in the fast-paced world of nightlife, the reality of managing finances was a significant consideration.
For Ben, Big Brother Naija was more than just a reality show it was an opportunity to take his career to the next level. He saw the platform as a chance to connect with a broader audience, not only in Nigeria but also across Africa, thereby expanding his brand and increasing his business prospects.
Though his time in the house was cut short, Ben's vision for the future remains clear. With the exposure he gained from the show, he hopes to leverage the BBNaija experience to further establish himself as a top name in the nightlife industry.
As the reality TV star continues to pursue his passion, one thing is certain for Ben, BBNaija was not just a game, but a calculated step toward building a lasting legacy in entertainment.