Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is Finding Joy in Retro Fashion

Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 10 has already proven to be one of the most exciting editions of the show; not just because of the drama in the house, but also because of what happens on the live eviction stage. 

Every Sunday night, millions of Nigerians tune in to see which housemates will be evicted, but another big reason fans wait eagerly is to see what Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will wear.

The award-winning TV host, lawyer, and media personality has never been just a presenter; he has become a fashion icon in his own right. Over the years, Ebuka has mastered the art of making Big Brother Naija eviction nights as much about style and culture as they are about suspense and reality TV.

This season, however, Ebuka has taken things a step further. Instead of his usual sleek tuxedos and agbadas, the media personality has chosen a theme that has left Nigerians in awe: retro fashion inspired by Nigerian icons. From music legends to Nollywood stars, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is paying tribute to the men who shaped Nigeria’s entertainment and cultural history.

Below, we take a look at all of Ebuka’s retro fashion inspired by Nigerian icons on BBNaija Season 10, breaking down the details, inspirations, and cultural significance of each one.

One of the most talked-about retro outfits this season was Ebuka Obi Uchendu’s tribute to Oliver De Coque, the Igbo highlife maestro whose music shaped generations.

Oliver De Coque, whose real name was Oliver Sunday Akanite, released 93 albums before his death in 2008 and was celebrated as one of Africa’s most prolific highlife musicians. His music, filled with Igbo rhythms and cultural pride, remains timeless.

On the August 3rd Bbnaija season 10 Live Eviction Show, the TV host stepped out in a deep burgundy traditional jacket richly embroidered with gold patterns, paired with matching trousers. The details were stunning: geometric shapes, gold threadwork, and a regal finish that screamed African royalty. He completed the look with a red cap, coral beads, aviator sunglasses, and a traditional fur band on his arm.

Ebuka’s tribute reminded fans of Oliver De Coque’s influence, sparking nostalgia and pride among viewers who grew up dancing to his songs.

For the second eviction night on August 10, Ebuka wore a royal blue three-piece retro suit inspired by Nollywood legend Chinedu Ikedieze, one half of the beloved “Aki and Pawpaw” duo.

The suit was sharp and commanding, featuring a long, structured overcoat that gave him a royal presence. The Bbnaija host paired it with a crisp white shirt, black belt, and a matching fedora hat that tied the look together. To finish it off, he added dark sunglasses and black shoes; a nod to Chinedu Ikedieze’s style.

On Instagram, Ebuka described the outfit as inspired by:

“Veteran actor, comedian, and one half of the legendary Aki and Pawpaw. Undisputed Nollywood royalty and global meme factory. Boss!!!”

By channeling Aki, Ebuka wasn’t just referencing Nollywood; he was paying homage to a figure who has become a global meme sensation, representing the humor, resilience, and creativity of Nigerian entertainment.

No list of Nigerian icons would be complete without Fela Kuti, and of course, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu made sure to honor him in unforgettable fashion.

On the third BBNaija season 10 Sunday live show, Ebuka stepped out in a bold all-red outfit: a patterned shirt left slightly open at the chest and matching trousers, echoing the kind of stagewear Fela was famous for. The flamboyance was intentional; Fela was never just about music; he was about performance, politics, and presence.

Ebuka even recreated Fela’s signature stage pose, holding the microphone in hand with confidence, a gesture that sent chills down fans’ spines.

This look was symbolic. Fela Kuti, known as the “Abami Eda” (the strange one), was more than a musician; he was a voice of resistance, a cultural activist, and the father of Afrobeat. Ebuka’s tribute was a reminder of Fela’s lasting influence on Nigerian music, politics, and fashion.

On the August 24th eviction night of Big Brother Season 10, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu once again proved why he’s the ultimate style icon of the show. His outfit paid a sleek tribute to Nollywood legend Chidi Mokeme, fondly known as GQ for his impeccable fashion sense.

The media personality hosted the show in a teal corduroy blazer worn open over a simple black t-shirt and matching trousers, accessorized with black sunglasses, a chain necklace, and a crossbody strap. The striking teal-and-black combination popped perfectly, while the corduroy added a subtle retro-meets-modern touch.

“Inspired by Nollywood’s original fashion boy, Chidi Mokeme; so stylish he was nicknamed GQ,” Ebuka wrote on Instagram. “Almost three decades long actor, TV host and recent comeback king after a career-threatening battle with Bell’s palsy. Teacher.”

By now, Sunday nights on Big Brother Naija have become a full-on spectacle. On the 5th Bbnaija s10 eviction show, instead of entertainers, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu drew inspiration from a figure of royalty and the result was nothing short of regal.

Stepping out in a traditional Northern Nigerian royal ensemble, Ebuka commanded the stage with cultural pride. His deep navy blue robe, richly embroidered in pale blue with intricate spirals and geometric motifs, celebrated the artistry of Hausa craftsmanship.

Draped across his head was an immaculate white turban (rawani), elegantly finished with a striking white feather; an emblem of honour and status in Northern heritage. Round-framed glasses and his neatly groomed beard completed the look, adding a modern style to the centuries-old attire.

More than just a fashion statement, the outfit was a tribute to the late HRH Muhammadu Maccido, the 19th Sultan of Sokoto. Maccido, first chosen as Sultan in 1988 before being briefly deposed during a period of political upheaval, was officially turbaned in 1996. He held the throne with dignity until his untimely death in a 2006 plane crash. By honouring him, Ebuka spotlighted a chapter of Nigeria’s cultural and historical legacy, blending fashion with storytelling in a way only he can.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu made the 6th eviction night on Big Brother Naija 10 just as much about fashion as it is about drama, stepping out in a look that pays tribute to Nollywood legend Richard Mofe-Damijo.

Clad in a sleek camel corduroy suit layered over a daring leopard-print shirt, Ebuka nods to RMD’s timeless cool and decades of sartorial dominance. A matching leopard-print pocket square, dark sunglasses, layered necklaces, and a leather briefcase detailed with animal-print panels completed the bold ensemble.

Brown dress shoes and the warm, lounge-inspired backdrop added depth to the refined moment; a stylish homage to the actor, producer, lawyer, and cultural icon who has been redefining suave for over three decades.

As eviction night tension builds in the house, the media personality proves once again that he knows how to command the spotlight, one iconic outfit at a time.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, once again, turned the Big Brother Naija Season 10 live eviction show into a fashion history moment with a striking homage to former Nigerian Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo.

Drawing inspiration from Obasanjo’s unforgettable 1977 White House appearance with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Ebuka reimagined the legendary look with regal flair.

The host stepped out in a flowing gold-and-cream agbada adorned with bold geometric motifs and intricate embroidery. A sharply tailored fila in matching tones gave the outfit clean symmetry, while dark sunglasses added a modern edge. A polished walking stick completed the ensemble, amplifying the commanding presence of the icon he was channeling. Sleek black dress shoes grounded the entire look with understated elegance.

As 7th eviction night unfolded, all eyes were glued on which housemates will exit the BBNaija house but once again, Ebuka’s sartorial choices proved just as captivating as the show’s drama.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu once again turned the Big Brother Naija stage into a fashion time machine, stepping out in a look that paid tribute to the late music legend Sonny Okosun. Known for blending reggae, funk, highlife, gospel, and protest music into powerful anthems of Pan-African pride, Okosun remains an icon of fearless artistry and Ebuka captured that spirit in style.

For the BBNaija’s 8th live eviction show, the media personality wore a monochrome sky-blue set that looked like it was lifted straight from the 1970s. The zip-front shirt, left slightly open, with wide-leg trousers cinched by a sleek black belt, created that unmistakable retro silhouette.

Dark sunglasses and a sequinned headband brought the playful edge of Okosun’s era, while gold accents added just enough polish to elevate the look from nostalgic to glamorous. The result was a throwback that felt alive, fresh, and perfectly in sync with Ebuka’s reputation for turning fashion into cultural commentary.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu showed up on the 9th week’s Big Brother Naija Sunday eviction stage with a bold nod to legendary Nigerian hip-hop star Zaaki Azzay. Known for his fearless fashion and music legacy dating back to the early ’90s, Zaaki’s signature style came alive again through Ebuka’s carefully curated outfit.

The look was striking from head to toe. A crisp black blazer, layered over a patterned shirt with bold white detailing across the chest and sleeves, sets the tone. The lower half featured wide-leg striped trousers in black and white, instantly recalling Zaaki’s signature northern-inspired aesthetic.

Completing the outfit was a matching cap, dark shades, and a few colourful wrist details. The finishing touch? A glowing LED ring light in his hand, a modern twist that doubled as both prop and accessory.

Big Brother Naija 10/10 finale took place on Sunday, 5th October, 2025, and as always, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is giving the drama we came for.

For the finale, Ebuka took inspiration from Afro-Juju legend Sir Shina Peters, channelling the musician’s signature flair through a look that perfectly bridges nostalgia and modern swagger.

His outfit? A masterclass in confident style and cultural homage. He stepped out in a sharp black blazer detailed with bold red-and-white gingham panels slicing across the chest and shoulders; striking, structured, and full of rhythm. The jacket was paired with wide-leg, high-waisted trousers cinched neatly with a red leather belt that pulled the whole look together.

Underneath, he kept things sleek with a plain black crew-neck shirt that toned down the drama just enough to let the tailoring shine. But the finishing touches brought it all to life; vivid red loafers that winked at Shina Peters’ stage energy, brown-tinted sunglasses, and a silver chain with a cross pendant.

In true Ebuka fashion, the finale look was both nostalgic and unapologetically fresh, proving once again why he’s the undisputed style king of Big Brother Naija.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu knows how to make a finale unforgettable, and for the closing moments of Big Brother Naija Season 10/10, he delivered pure grandeur.

Switching gears from his earlier retro-inspired ensemble, Ebuka embraced his inner king for his second look of the night; one that radiated pride, heritage, and authority.

He appeared in a pristine white robe layered with a bold leopard-print vest adorned with an intricately embroidered gold lion head at the chest; a powerful symbol of strength and leadership. The contrast between the clean white fabric and the fierce print was visually striking, instantly setting him apart as the evening’s reigning figure.

The accessories completed the royal narrative. A gold crown with a burgundy velvet base rested atop his head, coral beads in warm pink and orange tones draped gracefully around his neck, and a black-and-gold staff anchored the entire look. Blue-tinted aviator sunglasses added a subtle modern edge to the traditional regalia, merging contemporary cool with ancestral elegance.

In his caption, Ebuka shared that the look paid tribute to Pete Edochie; the legendary actor and cultural icon whose commanding presence has defined Nigerian storytelling for decades. The homage was both heartfelt and powerful, celebrating the essence of Nigerian kingship and artistry.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 has been packed with drama, twists, and suspense, but Ebuka Obi-Uchendu’s retro fashion tributes to Nigerian icons have added a unique cultural layer to the show.

By honoring legends like Fela Kuti, Oliver De Coque, Chinedu Ikedieze, King Sunny Ade, Nico Mbarga, Nkem Owoh, and Festus Okotie-Eboh, Ebuka is educating, celebrating, and preserving Nigerian culture through style.

So yes, eviction nights will always be tense, but thanks to Ebuka’s retro fashion, they’ll also always be iconic.

Photo: Instagram/ebuka