Few figures in Nigerian media command quiet respect like Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. Whether hosting Big Brother Naija, leading discussions on Rubbin’ Minds, or introducing his new project MENtality with Ebuka, his calm presence and clarity continue to set him apart.
A lawyer turned media personality, Ebuka studied law at the University of Abuja and graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2005 before earning a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property and Communications Law from the American University in Washington DC.
Nigeria first met him in 2006 as one of 14 housemates on the debut season of Big Brother Nigeria. Though he didn’t win, his wit and composure made a lasting impression and launched a career that has spanned nearly two decades. Since then, he has hosted several major shows including Friend or Foe, Guinness Greatness TV, Rubbin’ Minds, Men’s Corner, Judging Matters, The Spot, and Big Brother Naija. As a host, Ebuka has interviewed some of the most notable names across music, fashion, and politics while maintaining a balance of intelligence and warmth. His work has earned him several awards, including the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award for Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year, as well as recognition by the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper.
Beyond television, Ebuka’s influence extends into culture and fashion. His distinct sense of style has become a defining part of his public identity, inspiring designers and shaping modern Nigerian menswear.
In this exclusive interview with Funke Babs-Kufeji, Ebuka talks about growth, authenticity, and the evolving idea of what it means to be a man.
Interview Questions for Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
You have been on Nigerian television for nearly two decades, yet you continue to reinvent yourself without losing your calm. When you look back at your journey so far, what moments stand out as turning points for you?
I think three moments stand out for me as turning points. First was becoming a contestant on Big Brother Nigeria in 2006. It was something I never thought I was going to do. I was a trained lawyer and had no business being on television, but I found myself there, and I think that exposed me to the possible talents I had for presenting. My second turning point would be my first TV show ever, which was also in 2006. It was a game show called Friend or Foe. I had no experience, but the producers had faith in me, and I think that was the beginning of my journey as an actual TV host. The final turning point would probably be getting on Rubbin’ Minds, and that was my introduction to being a live television host, which transformed my view of what it meant to be a host. It’s one thing to shoot a show, record, and edit it, but hosting on live television is a different beast, and Rubbin’ Minds definitely gave me that experience.
You began your career on Big Brother Nigeria as a contestant in 2006, and years later, you returned as the show’s host. How does it feel to have come full circle in that way?
Becoming a host of Big Brother Nigeria was very humbling. It was something I hoped would happen one day. I mean, it’s the biggest TV show on the continent. So, if you start a career on television in this part of the world, it’s probably the one thing you hope you can get on. It’s sort of the pinnacle of hosting for a lot of people. So, when I got the call 11 years after being a housemate, it was very humbling. But it also made sense to me because I had prepared myself for the opportunity with years of working and putting myself out there. So, while it was humbling, it also made sense and was a perfect fit for a housemate who had loads of years on TV.
People see you as one of the most composed figures on screen. Has that calm confidence always been part of your personality, or did you learn it through experience?
I’ve always been calm and composed, but I haven’t always been the most confident person. I have siblings who are much older and another who’s much younger than me, so I grew up almost on my own — using that very loosely, of course. I learned how to look out for myself, but I was also very shy. So, while I was calm and composed, I wasn’t very confident around people and had a very shy personality, which I had to work on later in life. My nickname from many of my uncles when I was young was “social gentleman.” I don’t know why that is, but I guess it makes sense now. Over time, experience has taught me that owning my space, my work, and my worth is very important, and I’ve learned to make that a big part of my personality.
You studied Law at the University of Abuja and later obtained a master’s degree in Intellectual Property and Communications Law from the American University in Washington D.C. How has your background in law influenced the way you handle conversations, especially on Rubbin’ Minds, where difficult topics often come up?
It’s interesting because I studied Law at the time simply because I wanted to do something that didn’t involve mathematics. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but it has definitely become a huge part of my life. I got my master’s degree in Entertainment Law as well as Communications Law. For a long time, I had no management, but even when I did, I was still able to handle my own business and situations with a clear eye. And yes, with my work, it has definitely helped. I’ve always been the kind of person who likes to know something about everything. I’m very interested in a wide range of topics, but I guess the Law background also helps me hold conversations and have opinions I can argue and defend if I need to. It has definitely helped me. It hurts a little that I’m not using the degree as much as I’d love to, but TV is also a big love of mine, so I can’t complain too much.
Hosting Rubbin’ Minds requires tact and emotional intelligence. How did you prepare for those conversations that touched on sensitive or controversial issues?
I used to be very nervous when I started hosting Rubbin’ Minds in 2013. Because it’s live TV, I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes. I had a diverse range of guests from politicians to doctors, to celebrities, and anyone relevant that week. I was always nervous, but it made me prepare a lot. However, I’ve found that when I’m over-prepared, the nerves show because I’m trying too hard to remember what I rehearsed. What works for me now is keeping my finger on the pulse of things generally. Of course, if I have a guest, I’ll research the person or topic, but over time, knowing a range of topics makes it easier to have a natural conversation instead of sounding like I’m reading notes or repeating talking points. I’m not the over-prepared guy anymore. I go in, have a genuine conversation, and get information from whoever the guest is or what the topic is about. I also hold my own and stay open to learning from my guests. I’m very intentional about learning daily, and I think that’s what works for me.
Your career has evolved from being a television host to a cultural voice. At what point did you begin to see your platform as something bigger than entertainment?
I’ve always been a huge lover of my culture and of Nigeria. I think it comes from my father, even though he was a career banker before he retired, he was very traditional. I went to my village three or four times every year. I come from that background where culture and Nigeria were important parts of my upbringing. My dad and I would discuss newspaper articles when I was barely ten years old and have conversations about them. So, I’ve always had it at the back of my mind, but I never really had the platform to express it. Big Brother gave me the opportunity to do that on the largest scale possible. From the first day I got the gig as host, one of the first things I knew I wanted to do was to be proud of where I’m from, showcasing the culture, the tradition, and staying true to my identity. I don’t know if it was ever a conscious decision, but it’s always been something I wanted to do, and I’m glad it resonates with a lot of people. I just hope I don’t make too many mistakes because culture can be very dicey. You want to make sure you’re doing the right thing every time. For the most part, I think I am. But it wasn’t a particular moment when it happened.
You’ve often said that your family keeps you grounded. How has fatherhood changed your outlook on life and success?
Fatherhood has done more for me on a personal level than on a career level, because I like to separate both. On a personal level, it definitely made me realise what life is really about. I loved my family growing up, my parents and siblings, so I always knew I wanted to start my own family at some point. Doing that made me realise what truly living is about. Being responsible for another human being is probably the biggest task anyone can have, and the fact that I have two of them now, who I owe everything to, has shifted my idea of what it means to be human, being more selfless, more loving, living not just for yourself, and learning to give more. It’s definitely changed me as a person. I had a great time as a single man in my twenties and early thirties, but since I got married, it’s become more about what I’m doing for them and for others. Fatherhood has definitely changed my outlook on that level.
Balancing fame, family, and privacy is not easy. How do you manage to stay present at home while still maintaining such a visible career?
I don’t want to say it’s very easy, but for me, it works perfectly now. When I’m at work, I focus on work and try to leave it outside the home. That’s the biggest thing for me. When I’m home, it’s time to be home, and I look forward to that. I work in an industry where it’s easy to be everywhere attending events, hosting shows, doing a lot of things but I try to cut back on what doesn’t really matter anymore. Just showing up for the sake of it doesn’t do anything for me. So, when I’m not working, I’m home. My kids and my wife are my priority at that moment. It works perfectly in my head because I’m able to separate both clearly. Of course, it’s impossible for work not to follow you home once in a while, but for the most part, I keep work away from home so that when I’m present, it feels like I haven’t been anywhere because of how involved I am with my family.
Let’s talk about MENtality with Ebuka. What first inspired the idea, and why did it feel like the right time to start these conversations about manhood?
Like we all know, there’s a whole manosphere happening on podcasts and social media now. A lot of it is fuelled by right-wing conversations about what a man should be, and I’ve always wondered, there should be something different to say about this. I’m sure not all men agree with those conversations on the right. I also felt there weren’t enough of these conversations happening in this part of the world, whether on the right, on the left, or anywhere in between. People have opinions but not necessarily conversations. That was what fuelled MENtality with Ebuka. It was also driven by what I saw among young people being influenced by online discussions and gaming culture. It was an opportunity to have honest conversations because people always say men don’t talk enough, and that’s what this was about for me, hearing what people really think, seeing what needs to change, and figuring out how to help men be who they truly feel they should be, not what they’re told to be. While I was thinking about that, it was great that the team from SheTank were also exploring the same idea, and we aligned perfectly.
The show gives men space to talk about identity, pressure, and vulnerability subjects not often discussed openly. What kind of reactions have you received or hope to receive from men who watch the series?
Personally, I just hope people watch it and take away the fact that it’s okay to be vulnerable. Men should talk. Men can be emotional. Men have emotions, and there’s probably not just one way to be a man. There is nuance to a lot of things. I think those are some of the key things I hope viewers take away from it and most importantly, that they go away and have those conversations on their own.
Do you think Nigerian men are becoming more open about their emotions and personal struggles, or is there still resistance to that kind of honesty?
Yes, I think so. Social media has definitely helped people become more open to certain conversations, but I’m not sure they’re having those conversations one-on-one. We also have a generation that’s dominant now, Gen Z, who are much more vulnerable than previous generations. They’re shaping narratives and mindsets, whether in small ways or not. It’s a slow process. We’re not where we should be yet, but men are becoming a bit more open about their concerns, worries, and issues generally. I’m hoping there’ll be even more of that happening — hopefully a lot of it on MENtality, but also beyond it.
What do you personally hope viewers take away from MENtality with Ebuka?
Honestly, more than anything else, I just want people to talk. I’m not looking for any particular reaction. I just want conversations to be had. I’m hoping people watch the series and ask questions, like, “Hmm, I didn’t think of it that way.” Just opening up the mind and talking more. Call your friend, husband, brother, or uncle and say, “Oh, did you see this? What did you think of that? Is that what you were going through when this was happening?” Starting conversations, honestly, is the key thing for me. I’m not here to change anybody’s mind or convert people to anything. I just want people to talk.
Your style has become almost as famous as your voice. From your agbadas to your tailored suits, you’ve created a look that is distinct yet effortless. What does style mean to you today compared to when you first started out?
I guess today most people see my style as a huge part of my brand, and that was very intentional. When I started on TV, I was just trying to be a good host. But once I felt comfortable in that space, it was time to express myself more. I always felt TV presenters weren’t seen as artists or actors, so we didn’t come across with much of a celebrity vibe. I wanted to make it more exciting. I didn’t want to just be the guy who goes on stage or TV in a grey suit, like most presenters were known for. So, for me, style is a huge part of my work, my brand, and my professional life. More importantly, I’m glad I can use it to express my Nigerian-ness, my African-ness, and my personality as a whole.
In this new age that often rewards noise over substance, how do you stay true to yourself without getting lost in public perception?
It goes back to self-worth and confidence. You have to know who you are, what you want, and what you stand for. Once you have that, a lot of the noise doesn’t matter. I’ve never been one to chase blog clout, trends, or attention. I prefer my work to speak for me, not my personality. That’s always been my focus. I don’t worry about whether I’m trending or what people think. My work does enough, and it’s gotten me this far. It really comes down to how much worth you place on yourself and how confident you are in expressing it.
Looking back on your career, from Big Brother Naija to Rubbin’ Minds and now MENtality with Ebuka, what has been the most important lesson about growth and authenticity?
Looking back, from all the shows I’ve done sports, a children’s quiz show, entertainment, politics, podcasts, the first lesson is to try everything. You never know what you’re best at, and that’s what I’ve done before realising I’m a great interviewer. The most important lesson about growth and authenticity is consistency. It sounds cliché, but that’s what it’s been for me. There were many times I could have stopped. It took me eleven years to go from being on Big Brother to hosting it. I was working and earning, but people still asked, “Is this really going anywhere?” I stuck with it because I always felt there was more to do, and I still believe that. I don’t think I’ve reached my peak. The goal has always been to stay consistent and keep my eyes on whatever the next goal is.
