Tega BBNaija is a Nigerian reality TV star, businesswoman, actress, makeup artist, and social media influencer.
Known across Nigeria and to Big Brother Naija fans worldwide simply as “Tega,” she is one of the most talked-about personalities to emerge from the reality television phenomenon that is BBNaija not simply because of the entertainment she delivered inside the house, but because of the raw, unfiltered human story she carried with her: a young mother navigating a broken marriage, a businesswoman carving out her own commercial identity, and a bold, unapologetic personality that refused to be diminished by public judgment.
She came into the limelight after participating in the reality TV show Big Brother Naija season 6 (Shine Ya Eye). Her time in the house was eventful, controversial, and ultimately defining and her post-BBNaija journey has demonstrated that her public life was far from over when the house doors opened.
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Tega Offiong Dominic: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Tega Offiong Dominic |
| Stage Name: | Tega; Tega BBNaija; Efik Chic |
| Born: | 5 December 1992 |
| Age: | 33 years old |
| Birthplace: | Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| State of Origin: | Cross River State (Akpabuyo Local Government Area) |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Reality TV Personality, Actress, Entrepreneur, Makeup Artist, Social Media Influencer |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Dominic Bassey Ekpenyong (deceased — passed away 1 January 2021) |
| Spouse: | Ajeboh Kris Lawrence (married 5 August 2017; separated 2020) |
| Children: | One son — Jamil Dominic (born 2 August 2018) |
| Relationship: | Separated/Single |
| Net Worth: | ₦30 Million |
Early Life
BBNaija Tega was born on December 5, 1991, in Cross River State. While some sources cite her birth year as 1991 and others as 1992, the most consistently cited date across verified biographical sources is December 5, 1992, in Cross River State, Nigeria.
Tega Dominic is an indigene of Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State. However, she was born in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital where her family was based, making her both a Port Harcourt-born child and a Cross River State indigene by heritage.
This combination of Rivers State birth and Cross River State cultural identity has earned her the affectionate nickname “Efik Chic” a nod to the Efik-speaking culture of Cross River State from which she descends.
Talking about her childhood, the housemate described herself as the ‘stubborn grasshopper’ of her family a self-description that perfectly captures the independent, bold, and occasionally troublesome personality that would later make her one of BBNaija’s most talked-about housemates.
The “stubborn grasshopper” label reflects a childhood of strong opinions, determined self-expression, and a refusal to be easily managed qualities that, channelled into adulthood, became the charisma and fearlessness that defined her public identity.
Her father is Dominic Bassey Ekpenyong. However, he is deceased. Tega lost her father on January 1, 2021, and she has remarked the loss was exceptionally hard for her. The timing of her father’s death on New Year’s Day 2021, just seven months before she entered the BBNaija house adds a deeply personal dimension to her BBNaija journey.
She went into the house carrying the fresh grief of a beloved father’s loss, alongside the complex emotional landscape of a marriage that had already separated. For a woman who presented such an outwardly bold and joyful persona in the house, the private weight she carried was considerable.
Tega grew up in a Christian family that instilled strong moral values in her. Tega is always willing to learn and tries to look at difficult situations as an avenue to learn and grow.
These qualities a willingness to learn, a positive orientation toward adversity, and an enthusiastic engagement with life are the constants in every description of her personality, whether from her own self-description during the BBNaija audition process or from friends and observers of her post-show life.
Education
She went through all her basic education in Cross River, including her primary and secondary school education. BBNaija Tega was educated in Rivers State. She ensured that she came out with an original certificate set out by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). She was good enough to be handed a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE).
For her tertiary education, Tega graduated from the University of Calabar with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. Tega Dominic also pursued her tertiary education by enrolling at the famous University of Calabar, where she studied Theatre Arts and graduated in 2012. The University of Calabar located in Calabar, the Cross River State capital is one of Nigeria’s well-regarded federal universities, with a particularly strong reputation in the arts and humanities.
Her choice of Theatre Arts as a degree subject was entirely in keeping with her personality and her creative ambitions, giving her a formal academic grounding in performance, dramatic arts, and the theoretical underpinnings of stagecraft.
After her graduation, she enrolled in a film academy as an additional effort to advance her acting career. This post-graduation investment in film-specific training reflected the seriousness of her acting ambitions and her recognition that a theatre arts degree, while valuable, required supplementation with the specific technical skills of film and television production.
Career
Acting Career (Pre-BBNaija)
Before joining BBNaija, Tega worked as a makeup artist and actress. Her role as a theatre artist gave her the confidence to express herself boldly in front of the camera, a trait that shone during her time on the reality show.
BBNaija Tega has appeared in movies, TV series and skits, as an actress. Her acting career before BBNaija was real but modest she worked consistently in Nollywood’s large ecosystem of supporting roles, television productions, and the rapidly growing digital skit format that has transformed Nigerian entertainment, but had not broken through to lead roles or mainstream recognition prior to the BBNaija platform.
Makeup Artistry and Entrepreneurship
Alongside her acting ambitions, Tega built her entrepreneurial identity as a makeup artist and fashion entrepreneur. As a businesswoman, Tega and her husband jointly ran a clothing brand called ‘Ajeboh Clothing’.
Her makeup artistry skills developed professionally over the years before BBNaija gave her a service-based income stream that provided financial stability independent of the unpredictable rhythms of acting work.
She owns a fashion business and is passionate about designing clothes and accessories. Her business acumen and creative skills have made her a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Brand Partnerships
She is a social media influencer who has worked for various notable brands such as Pepsi. Her brand partnership with Pepsi one of the world’s most recognisable consumer brands represents a significant commercial endorsement that reflects both her post-BBNaija visibility and the commercial value that brands place on her audience reach and social media engagement.
Big Brother Naija Season 6 Shine Ya Eye (2021)
Tega Dominic is one of the Big Brother Naija Season 6 “Shine Ya Eye” housemates who came to fame following her participation in the reality show on July 24th, 2021.
Her entry into the BBNaija house in July 2021 made her a pioneer of sorts: Tega Dominic, who is the very first married woman to be on the show, is one of the successful female housemates that made it to the Big Brother Naija season.
Being the first married woman in the BBNaija house placed a specific kind of public scrutiny on everything she did inside every interaction with male housemates, every moment of affection or playfulness, was refracted through the lens of her marital status in ways that single contestants never experienced.
29-year-old mother of one, Tega is a self-employed entrepreneur that enjoys dancing, traveling, DIY, and photography. Tega can be seen swimming or being the life of the party when she isn’t doing any of the above.
Her “limited circle of friends” portrays her as easygoing and a brilliant cook a claim she disputes and she describes herself as extroverted, enthusiastic, and passionate about the things she enjoys.
Inside the BBNaija house, she quickly established herself as one of the most entertaining, emotionally alive, and unpredictable housemates of the season. Her warmth, dancing, and genuine enthusiasm for the experience created an initial positive public impression. But it was her interactions with fellow housemate Boma Akpore that would come to define her BBNaija story in ways that proved both career-making and deeply personally challenging.
Controversies
The Boma Controversy (BBNaija 2021)
The defining controversy of Tega’s BBNaija journey was her on-screen relationship with fellow housemate Boma Akpore a male housemate with whom she developed a visible and intimate closeness that generated enormous public reaction, particularly given that she was married when she entered the house.
The two were filmed under a duvet in what viewers widely interpreted as a sexual encounter footage that circulated immediately across Nigerian social media and generated one of the most intense public debates in BBNaija’s history.
The former BBNaija’s housemate was romantically involved with her fellow BBN male housemate, Boma, despite being married the reason which led to their eviction from the show. The subsequent public backlash was fierce: she was characterised as a married woman who had publicly betrayed her husband and disgraced herself on national television.
The criticism came from viewers, social media commentators, and celebrities alike. Her husband, Ajeboh Kris Lawrence, who had initially been publicly supportive of her participation in the show, later publicly expressed his disappointment.
During the Big Brother Naija reunion day, Tega confirmed that she separated from her partner in 2020 before she came into the show. She also denied the allegations and claimed that it was only a script.
Her position that she and her husband had already separated before she entered the house, and that her on-screen behaviour with Boma was performance rather than genuine intimacy was disputed by her husband’s public statements at the time and generated sustained public scepticism.
However, her clarification at the reunion introduced important context that somewhat complicated the binary public narrative of “married woman cheats on BBNaija.”
Tega apologized both privately and publicly for her actions in the BBNaija house. She expressed regret and asked for forgiveness from her husband and fans.
Frank Edoho Allegations (May 2026)
The most recent controversy to touch Tega Dominic emerged in May 2026, when Sandra Frank Edoho’s ex-wife named Tega as one of his alleged side relationships during their marriage.
Frank Edoho is one of Nigeria’s most famous television personalities, best known as the host of the Nigerian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The Edohos’ marriage reportedly hit the rocks in June 2025 and gained renewed attention following audio leaks involving Sandra and singer Chike, prompting Sandra to air years of grievances, including claims that Frank was a serial cheater and an absent father.
Dominic, who has always maintained a bold, unapologetic public image since her time in the Big Brother Naija house, appeared unfazed by being drawn into the high-profile divorce saga.
Responding to the allegation, Tega dismissed the claim outright. “It’s all cap,” she said using the popular slang term for a complete lie or fabrication. Her characteristically direct and unequivocal denial was consistent with the bold, unapologetic public persona she has maintained since her BBNaija journey.
Social Media
Tega Dominic maintains an active and engaged social media presence across multiple platforms, using her digital channels for personal expression, business promotion, brand partnerships, and engagement with her substantial following of Nigerian entertainment fans.
- Instagram: @its_tegadominic her primary social media platform, where she shares lifestyle content, personal moments with her son Jamil, fashion and beauty posts, brand partnerships, and occasional personal reflections. Her Instagram following grew significantly following her BBNaija Season 6 appearance and continues to be her primary commercial social media channel.
- Twitter/X: Active presence where she has directly addressed controversies including her response to the Frank Edoho allegations and engages with the broader Nigerian entertainment commentary community.
- Facebook: Present across Facebook where entertainment content related to her BBNaija journey and post-show career continues to circulate widely.
Personal Life
The reality TV star was previously married to Ajeboh Kris Lawrence, a Nigerian businessman and brand consultant.
The two got married on 5 August 2017 and separated in 2020. Their marriage produced one child a son named Jamil Dominic, born on 2 August 2018. Jamil whose third birthday fell while his mother was already inside the BBNaija house has been one of the most consistent sources of joy and grounding in Tega’s public narrative since the show.
She has spoken frequently about motherhood as one of her greatest joys and has been open about how her son’s existence has shaped her perspective on life’s challenges.
Tega and her husband are currently separated and they are doing their best to co-parent their son, Jamil. The co-parenting arrangement that has emerged following their separation reflects a maturity and shared commitment to their child’s wellbeing that has been publicly affirmed by both parties.
Her father, Dominic Bassey Ekpenyong, is deceased having passed away on 1 January 2021, just months before she entered the BBNaija house. His death was, by her own account, one of the most painful experiences of her life and a formative influence on her emotional state as she entered the competition.
One of Tega’s favourite things is motherhood because it has changed her perspective on a lot of things and makes her excited for all the things life has in store for her. Beyond motherhood, she is known for her love of dancing, traveling, DIY projects, photography, and swimming. She describes her social style as extroverted and enthusiastic a self-description confirmed by every public account of her personality both inside and outside the BBNaija house.
Dominic has always maintained a bold, unapologetic public image since her time in the Big Brother Naija house. This consistency of character unapologetic, direct, self-possessed is one of the most reliable through-lines in every phase of her public life, from her self-description as the “stubborn grasshopper” of her family to her “It’s all cap” response to the Frank Edoho allegations in 2026.
Net Worth
Tega Dominic’s estimated net worth is 30 million naira. At current exchange rates, this represents approximately $23,000 to $35,000 USD a figure that reflects the early stage of her wealth-building journey as a post-BBNaija personality.
Her income streams include her fashion and clothing business, makeup artistry services, acting appearances in Nollywood productions and digital skits, brand endorsements (including her Pepsi partnership), social media influencing, and revenue from various entrepreneurial ventures.
Tega Dominic began grabbing a bite of the big bucks only recently a candid assessment that acknowledges the trajectory of her wealth-building is still in its early phases, with the BBNaija platform having opened the brand partnership and influencing doors that now represent her most commercially significant income streams.
Filmography
- Big Brother Naija Season 6 Shine Ya Eye (2021, Reality TV, Contestant)
- Various Nollywood movies and TV series (pre-BBNaija career, specific titles not widely documented)
- Digital skits and online content productions (ongoing)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Tega BBNaija?
Tega BBNaija real name Tega Offiong Dominic is a Nigerian reality TV star, actress, entrepreneur, makeup artist, and social media influencer. She became nationally famous as a contestant on Big Brother Naija Season 6 (Shine Ya Eye) in 2021, becoming the first married woman to appear on the show and generating one of the most talked-about controversies in the show’s history through her relationship with fellow housemate Boma Akpore.
What is Tega BBNaija’s real name?
Her real name is Tega Offiong Dominic. She is also sometimes referred to as Tega Dominic Ajeboh, incorporating her former husband’s family name.
When and where was Tega BBNaija born?
She was born on 5 December 1992 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. She is an indigene of Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State.
How old is Tega BBNaija?
As of 2026, Tega Dominic is 33 years old.
What is Tega BBNaija’s educational background?
She attended school in Cross River State, obtained her WAEC Senior Secondary School Certificate, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar. She also enrolled in a film academy after graduating to further develop her acting skills.
Who was Tega BBNaija’s husband?
She was married to Ajeboh Kris Lawrence a Nigerian businessman and brand consultant on 5 August 2017. They separated in 2020 before she entered the BBNaija house. Together they have a son named Jamil Dominic, born on 2 August 2018.
What happened between Tega and Boma in BBNaija?
Tega and fellow housemate Boma Akpore were filmed in an intimate encounter under a duvet that viewers widely interpreted as sexual. The footage generated massive public backlash given her married status at the time. She was evicted following the controversy. She later denied that anything genuinely intimate occurred, describing it as “scripted,” and confirmed at the reunion that she had separated from her husband before entering the house.
Does Tega BBNaija have a child?
Yes. She has one son Jamil Dominic born on 2 August 2018, with her former husband Ajeboh Kris Lawrence. She has described motherhood as one of her greatest joys.
What are the Frank Edoho allegations against Tega?
In May 2026, Sandra Onyenucheya Frank Edoho’s ex-wife named Tega Dominic among several women she alleged had relationships with Frank Edoho during their marriage. Tega denied the allegations entirely, saying “It’s all cap,” dismissing the claims as false.
What is Tega BBNaija’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is approximately ₦30 million (around $23,000–$35,000 USD), earned through her fashion business, makeup artistry, acting, brand endorsements including Pepsi, social media influencing, and other entrepreneurial activities.
Conclusion
Tega Dominic’s biography is the story of a woman who walked into one of the most scrutinised entertainment spaces in Nigeria carrying more personal weight than most of her audience ever knew a father freshly lost, a marriage already broken, a son being raised through the turbulence of separation and who met that scrutiny with the same bold, unapologetic, deeply human personality that has defined her since childhood.
The Boma controversy was, undoubtedly, the defining moment of her BBNaija journey and it was a moment that generated the kind of public judgment that would have silenced many other public figures. Tega’s response to own her choices, clarify her context, apologise where she felt apology was owed, and then move forward without self-destruction reflects a character of considerable resilience.
Tega BBNaija is a remarkable woman with a story that inspires resilience and growth. Her journey reminds us that life is about learning, evolving, and striving for greatness. As she continues to build her business empire, expand her entertainment career, and raise her son Jamil with the fierce devotion that motherhood has always brought out in her the stubborn grasshopper from Cross River State shows no signs of stopping, and every sign of becoming more fully herself with each chapter that unfolds.
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