When 24 housemates entered the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) House for the show’s 11th season on Sunday, July 26, viewers thought each one of them had a chance to win the grand prize of ₦160 million.

But Big Brother shocked fans on Monday evening, July 27, with a new twist that essentially guarantees that at least two of the 24 will not be going home with the top prize, and viewers have been tasked with the responsibility of choosing this unlucky (or lucky, whichever way you look at it) duo.

The new twist is called “The Gambit.” Any housemate selected for this gameplay automatically gets a place in the finale. However, there is a major catch. Such a housemate will not be competing for the grand prize. Despite this restriction, they will retain all other benefits of being a housemate.

“​You will, however, remain a fully-fledged housemate, ​and all the rules of the game still apply to you as you continue to live in the house. ​You will participate in all house activities, ​earn rewards, ​and experience everything the Big Brother house has to offer. ​You will be eligible for all other prizes during tasks and activities that have prizes attached to them. ​The only difference is that your journey will not end with a chance to win the grand prize,” Big Brother said.

Biggie also told the housemates that viewers will have the opportunity to choose at least one of them to take on this “Gambit” role.

🚨 Biggie's first twist is here!

There's NO eviction this week.

Instead, YOU will choose one male and one female Housemate to become The Gambit, a role with huge power… and an even bigger sacrifice.

They'll earn a guaranteed place in the House until the very end of the… pic.twitter.com/jE3UtxDMXw

— Big Brother Naija (@BBNaija) July 27, 2026

Shortly after, host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu informed viewers that there will be no evictions next Sunday, August 2, meaning they do not need to vote for their favourite housemates to stay in the house. However, viewers have been asked to vote for two housemates to take on the role of “The Gambit”: a male and a female.

“The male housemate with the highest number of votes and the female housemate with the highest number of votes will each become ‘The Gambit’, representing their respective genders for the rest of the season,” he said.

Next Sunday promises to be an exciting show, where viewers will find out which male and female housemates they have voted to serve as “The Gambits” for the season. But one housemate is guaranteed not to be chosen for the role. Chimsom Chuka, who won the Head of House (HoH) challenge earlier on Monday evening, is the only housemate not up for this voting round.

Ebuka added that voters will also get to find out on Sunday the activities of “The Gambits” and how viewers can further influence some of the elements.

Voting already started at 8 p.m. on Monday and will close by 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. 

Voting is OPEN!

Choose one male and one female Housemate to become The Gambit.

All Housemates are eligible except Head of House Chimsom Chuka.

The Gambit is guaranteed a place until the end of the game, but can't compete for the grand prize.

Vote now on Web, Mobi and the… pic.twitter.com/pF1HdNOvlp

— Big Brother Naija (@BBNaija) July 27, 2026