Former Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate Neche Maduagwu has finally spoken on why she walked out of the house and left a ₦160 million prize behind. The answers came in a Most Asked Questions interview with Lush, clipped and shared widely online.
Asked what really made her leave, Neche kept the core details private.
“I feel like there were personal circumstances and a lot of situation that led to my decision, the detail I would like to keep private. At the same time I’m very confident about my decision. I’m at peace with it.”
That line matches what organisers said after her shock exit on Sunday, August 16. MultiChoice confirmed she left on her own because of pressing personal matters that needed immediate attention. She was Head of House that week. She gathered housemates in the lounge, gave no full reason inside the house, then removed her microphone and name tag.
The money question was next. Did she regret walking away from ₦160 million?
“Honestly, I don’t regret choosing myself above everything else because at the end of the day you are what matters. But 160 million was a lot of money. I had also envisioned myself staying in the house longer.”
Could she have won if she stayed?
“At week 2 I was convinced I could win the show. But I mean that’s just every regular housemate. I was surprised as to what I saw outside. It was like 10 times of what I expected.”
Season 11, tagged Show Ya Sef, premiered on July 26 with 24 housemates. Neche lasted about three weeks before the voluntary exit. Her team had already framed the move as “choosing herself.” The Lush sit-down is the first time she has said it in her own voice on camera.
She also addressed the tears her exit caused inside the house.
“I was actually shocked. I knew I felt I had very few friends in the house, like actual friends, but I didn’t think my exit was going to hit people this much. I was really emotional seeing my friends I didn’t even know cared about me miss me this much.”
On who can still lift the prize, she named three.
“I think it’s between Bluethopia, Chimsom and Temi. Blue is my friend so I’m more inclined to supporting her more and I think she’s actually very strategic. For Temi, she’s interesting, while Chimsom is very competitive.”