Six takeaways from BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ season

BY OPEYEMI OKE

It may seem we have come to expect a certain “script” from reality TV shows in recent times. It’s either the over-the-top drama queen or king, the “ships”, the come-up or grass to grace candidate, and sometimes those who truly play the game like master strategists (think BBNaija Lockdown’s Brighto). It has played out quite often in the past few seasons that by the second week, you can rightly predict who would walk away with the prize having successfully sold their wiles to the voting public. So colour me shocked when the just concluded BBNaija No Loose Guard season took a totally different turn.

It was a bit unclear what we were up for when the contestants entered the house/game in pairs, but the BBNaija “No Loose Guard” season was a refreshing departure from some of the high-octane, drama-fueled antics of previous seasons. Unlike the intense and sometimes toxic confrontations that have become synonymous with BBNaija, this season was so much more relaxed. This shift allowed for a focus on authentic relationships, personal growth, and strategy rather than constant bickering and drama.

A Season defined by a softer vibe

One of the defining characteristics of the No Loose Guard season was the overall calmer atmosphere in the house. This was a stark contrast to previous seasons where explosive arguments, emotional outbursts, and heated confrontations often became focal points of the show. The range of the housemates was a mix of strong personalities that somehow managed not to resort to negativity. These calmer dynamics helped highlight the humanity and relatability of the housemates rather than turning the show into a battleground of egos.

Housemates this season, such as Victoria Onyenwere Uchechi and Shaun Okojie, demonstrated a more low-key demeanor, focusing on self-improvement and meaningful connections. Instead of being driven by sensationalism, the housemates leaned into developing their personalities and forming genuine bonds. For instance, housemates like Handi and Wanni Danbaki, twins from Kaduna, used their unique dynamic to bring a sense of fun and camaraderie to the house without the typical toxicity. The season struck a balance between entertainment and emotional substance, offering light-hearted moments along with serious gameplay.

New twists and challenges

This season also distinguished itself with several new elements that added excitement and unpredictability to the show. For the first time, housemates entered the competition as duos, a strategy that encouraged collaboration and teamwork over individual self-interest. This change added complexity to evictions, nominations, and strategic planning.

The Custodian Challenge which was a new introduction this season turned out to be one of the more pivotal elements of the game. Held every Sunday for the first couple of weeks, the challenge offered the winners immunity from eviction and awarded them a mystery card that could dramatically alter the course of the game. This meant that the paired housemates had to compete together while navigating the game’s unpredictable twists.

The usual Head of House Challenge also saw a new twist this season, morphing into the Head of House (HoH) Ballot. Rather than the usual competitive format, housemates elected the HoH by a ballot system, preventing pairs from voting for themselves and encouraging more democratic decision-making. This system showcased the evolving strategies among contestants as they formed alliances and calculated their moves more carefully.

A break from toxicity

Anyone who is familiar with BBNaija can tell you how big blowouts and dramatic fights can occur in the blink of an eye. This season, however, embraced a more positive energy. Contestants like Kassia Sule and Victoria Onyenwere ‘sismance’ is what Barbie tea party dreams are made of and many fans thought it was beautiful to watch their friendship evolve to the point where Kassia referred to Victoria as her sister. There was a clear departure from the divisiveness that typically characterized previous seasons.

While we still saw quite a number of dramatic moments play out, they were tempered by a sense of maturity and mutual understanding among the housemates.

Romantic relationships and genuine friendships

At this point, it wouldn’t be BBNaija without ships in the house and this season had a healthy dose of ships and not-so-ships. From Shaun and Wanni who seemed to strike a chord with each other from their second day in the house to the love triangle of Onyeka, Ozee and Victoria. We couldn’t help but fall in love with the actual legally married couple in the house, known to viewers but unknown to housemates. It was exciting watching them sneak around and rooting for their cover not to be blown. It must have been in the course of this that Kellyrae and Kassia built an adoring fanbase with the hashtag #themoneyismarried emerging on social media only a few weeks into the show. Kellyrae would go on to win the grand prize.

This season also provided heartwarming moments of romance and friendship that resonated with viewers. Housemates like Sooj and Nelly developed close relationships that, while free from official titles, showcased the emotional connections that formed naturally within the house. You could say the same for Anita and Topher. These pairings seemed more genuine than some of the forced and dramatic showmances of previous seasons.

Authenticity takes the cake

Starting the game as one half of the DoubleKay duo, Kellyrae forged a down to earth persona that endeared him to fellow housemates and viewers alike. Sounding off on the internet, you can tell that that his fanbase were either drawn to his personality which they deemed unpretentious and relatable, or they applauded the way he handled himself being in the house with his spouse and managing to establish and navigate relationships with other housemates seamlessly while never compromising the sanctity of his marriage.

The revelation that he was secretly married to fellow housemate Kassia could have caused controversy, but instead, Kellyrae handled it with grace, ensuring that the secret didn’t undermine his game. His honesty and loyalty to Kassia won him favor with both the housemates and the audience. Throughout the season, Kellyrae excelled in many of the challenges, demonstrating physical prowess and mental agility. If you weren’t drawn to this then it was his singing… Whatever it was, he managed to warm his way into the hearts of viewers across the continent, ultimately earning him the highest votes and crowning him the winner of the ₦100 million prize.

A season of balance

Ultimately, the BBNaija No Loose Guard season struck a balance between entertainment and authenticity. The season successfully created a more relatable, less toxic environment letting viewers truly see elements of themselves in the housemates. We aren’t typically the quick-tempered personalities that we have come to see hold viewers’ attention in almost every past season. Truth be told, we may even distance ourselves from people with such energies in reality which makes me wonder why then it has become the expected standard of entertainment on reality TV. I’m glad this season of Big Brother Naija panned out the way it did. It shows us that there is still room for even-keeled people to shine. This season will likely be remembered for showcasing a different side of Big Brother Naija—one that emphasizes collaboration over conflict, authenticity over spectacle, and positivity over negativity.