A whirlwind of controversy has struck the Big Brother Naija house as contestant Doris leveled allegations that fellow housemate Dede receives financial support from an older, wealthy partner, sparking debates about relationships and authenticity on the reality show. The claims surfaced during a late-night kitchen conversation on Thursday, with housemates Sultana and Sabrina reportedly corroborating aspects of the story.
Doris alleged that Dede’s lifestyle—marked by expensive clothing and hairstyles—is funded by a high-profile older man, describing her as a “sugar baby” who avoids conventional employment. “Someone questioned where she gets the money for these things if she doesn’t work,” Doris stated, adding that Sabrina had previously made similar remarks. While the show’s format prohibits direct access to external information, past seasons have seen contestants scrutinize peers’ backgrounds, reflecting broader societal debates about wealth and privilege.
Sultana expanded on the claims, suggesting Dede has romantic feelings for housemate Jason Jae but avoids a public relationship to remain discreet under her alleged partner’s surveillance. According to Sultana, the pair reportedly agreed to keep their bond private until after the show concludes, when cameras would no longer monitor their interactions. This narrative raises questions about the blurred lines between strategic gameplay and genuine emotion in competitive reality TV environments.
Sabrina reportedly took the accusations further, telling Kola—another contestant linked to Dede—that she was leveraging romantic connections for screen time rather than sincerity. “I warned him she’s using all these men for attention,” Sabrina was quoted as saying, implying Dede’s reluctance to commit stems from a desire to appease her alleged external relationship.
Big Brother Naija, Africa’s most-watched reality series, often amplifies interpersonal drama as contestants vie for viewer votes and a cash prize. While unverified claims about cast members’ personal lives are common, this season’s Sugar Daddy narrative taps into global conversations about transactional relationships and financial dependency, themes resonating beyond Nigeria’s borders. Notably, none of the allegations have been independently confirmed, and Dede has yet to publicly address them within the house.
Producers have not commented on the situation, maintaining their practice of avoiding interference in housemate interactions unless rules are violated. For now, viewers are left to speculate whether the claims reflect reality, strategic manipulation, or a mix of both—a dynamic that continues to fuel the show’s unpredictable appeal.
