Besides catching us at the jollof stand, by the suya grill, or front row at an Afrobeats concert, you’ll also find Nigerians in the most random global corners—like the Love Island villa. Yes o, Naija no dey carry last. From Essex to Dublin, London to Glasgow, Nigerians and our diaspora cousins have brought enough spice, romance, and wahala to the UK’s biggest reality dating show, and honestly? The villa has never been the same.
Take Josh Oyinsan, for example. The Nigerian-British baller turned model walked into Season 11 on Day 36 and, before we could even adjust ring light, he and Mimii Ngulube made history. First Black couple to ever win Love Island? One for the culture, abeg.
Then there’s Ayo Odukoya, the London-born semi-pro baller who arrived with humour sharp enough to cut plantain. He held his own all season and secured a fourth-place finish with Jessica Spencer. Viewers couldn’t stop talking, and Naija Twitter? Forget it—our boy was trending every week.
And how could anyone ignore Catherine, the Dublin girl with Nigerian parents who turned Love Island Season 10 into her playground? A commercial real estate agent before the show, she walked in with the warmth of Lagos sun and left with fans calling her “our girl” worldwide.
Ella Thomas—aka Funke Baby (her words, not ours)—also carried Naija pride on her back while lighting up Season 10. Born in Glasgow to a Nigerian dad and an Eritrean mum, Ella gave fans a front-row seat to charm, style, and that Naija confidence.
And let’s not forget Toby Aromolaran, the Essex-born footballer with a Nigerian dad and Irish mum. Season 7 was his playground, and alongside Chloe Burrows, he took it all the way to second place. If charisma and unpredictability had a face, it was Toby, proudly repping both sides of his heritage.
Naija in Love Island is proof of what we already know: whether it’s vibes, drama, or romance, Nigerians will always over-deliver.
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