Lagos, Nigeria – October 17, 2025 – Big Brother Naija’s undisputed “Queen of Highlights” Mercy Eke has added another crown to her empire: a hard-earned Master’s degree in Business Administration from a prestigious UK university, capping off a year-long academic hustle that’s left fans in awe and critics eating humble pie.
The 35-year-old reality TV icon, entrepreneur, and first female BBNaija winner (Season 4, 2019), took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to pop champagne virtually, sharing a triumphant post about submitting her final dissertation. “It Wasn’t Easy,” she captioned a carousel of graduation-ready snaps—clad in chic athleisure amid London’s foggy charm—before doubling down: “This wasn’t luck, but pure brilliance.” Eke, who kicked off her MBA journey in early 2024 amid whispers of a lavish Lambo-flaunting lifestyle, peeled back the glamour to reveal the sweat equity: Late-night study sessions, balancing brand deals with boardroom simulations, and dodging the “party girl” stereotypes that dogged her post-BBNaija glow-up.
From unveiling her orange Lamborghini in February—sparking the viral “Lambo Lamba” drama with socialite Sophia Egbueje—to jetting off for classes in March, Eke’s timeline has been a masterclass in multifaceted boss energy. “Done playing, back to reality,” she declared upon resuming studies, photos with diverse classmates underscoring her dive into global business strategies at a London institution. Now, with the scroll in sight, she’s flipped the script on naysayers who pegged her as all flash, no substance—echoing her 2020 Nollywood debut in Fate of Alakada and launches like MNM Luxury clothing line.
The announcement hit like a plot twist in one of her skits, racking up over 500,000 likes and retweets in hours. Fellow housemates rallied: Phyna (S7 winner) dropped “Slay Queen with brains—proud of you sis! 💯,” while Tacha hailed, “From Pepper Dem to Power Moves. MBA boss!” Celeb economist Bismarck Rewane chimed in, “Mercy’s grind reminds us: Degrees amplify deals—congrats on leveling up the Lambo legacy.” But not without shade: A few trolls resurfaced old “she bought her way through” jabs, only to get ratioed by stan armies waving #MercyEkeMBA like victory flags.
Eke’s path mirrors a rising trend among Naija stars chasing credentials abroad—think Miracle Ikechukwu’s Harvard nod or Lola Magret’s Yoruba flair degree—proving the fusion of fame and formal education is the new flex. As founder of Lambo Homes real estate and Ciroc ambassador, she’s already teasing how the MBA will turbocharge her ventures: “Watch this space—business just got brilliant.” For the Owerri-born trailblazer, who graduated Imo State University in 2014 before BBNaija’s big break, this milestone isn’t just a cap and gown; it’s redemption wrapped in resilience.
In her words to aspiring hustlers: “Consistency over clout— it wasn’t easy, but damn, it’s worth it.” Mercy Eke: Not just surviving the spotlight, but schooling it.
NigeriaWire Entertainment Desk. Snaps and sentiments from X and Instagram.