“This Is Where I Live and I’m Happy — I’m Not Begging Imisi for Money”: BBNaija S10 Winner’s Mother Speaks Out

In a heartfelt message that has since gone viral, the mother of BBNaija Season 10 winner, Opeyemi “Imisi” Ayanwale, opened up publicly about her life following her daughter’s landmark victory, insisting that she is neither dependent on her daughter nor living a life of hardship. The emotional address, delivered in a video circulating across social media, comes amid mounting speculation that she reappeared only after Imisi struck gold — a narrative she vehemently rejects.

“I am the biological mother of Imisi,” she begins with measured calm, acknowledging the scrutiny but asserting her dignity. She paints a picture of quiet resilience, saying, “I know I might be bad, but it is God that judges. I am not educated neither am I rich, but I thank God for supporting Imisi.” With tears in her voice, she describes how people have judged her harshly — accusing her of neglecting her daughter — without ever really understanding her story. “Everyone said I was a bad mother, but nobody asked what really happened,” she laments, emphasizing how isolation and public shame have followed her for years.

Addressing her current living conditions, Imisi’s mother revealed that she has been staying with her younger sister in Ajah. She clarified that her earlier silence was not borne from guilt or neglect, but from a place of wisdom: “I chose to remain silent to avoid escalating tensions.” She also shared how she was blindsided by news of her daughter’s eviction day from the Big Brother house — she says she only learned around 4 p.m. that Imisi was leaving, and was hastily asked to dress up.

Her emotional testimony has raised eyebrows, particularly online, where rumors abound that she only resurfaced after Imisi’s success. But she pushes back hard on that narrative, declaring, “This is where I live, and I’m happy. I’m not begging Imisi for money.” Those words have struck a chord with many, offering a glimpse into a mother’s fierce pride and independence even in the face of public speculation.

Indeed, Imisi’s win — a staggering ₦150 million prize package, which included ₦80 million in cash and a brand-new Innoson SUV — has thrust her family into the spotlight. The mother’s remarks come against a backdrop of speculation and intense online debate around her role in her daughter’s life before and after the show.

In response to her mother’s claims, Imisi herself has been vocal, calling her family her top priority. During a live session, she emphasized that her mother’s well-being is close to her heart, making clear that she is not ignoring her responsibilities. The daughter and mother are now both navigating newfound fame, scrutiny, and expectation.

For her part, Imisi’s mother has appealed to the public’s empathy, urging people to “stop tearing one another down” and to choose love over hate. In her words, she has found peace in her current home, gratitude in her faith, and strength in her truth.

Her candidness has reopened conversations about family, judgment, and the complexity of parent-child dynamics — especially when one becomes an overnight celebrity. Whether skeptics will soften or critics will continue to probe remains to be seen, but for now, Imisi’s mother is standing firm: she is not a hanger-on, she is not a charity case, and she is exactly where she’s meant to be.