Melvin Oduah is a Nigerian actor, model and compere from Delta State who first became famous as one of Nigeria’s two housemates on Big Brother Africa: The Chase in 2013. Before that, he came close to winning Gulder Ultimate Search in 2009 and Mr Nigeria in 2011. On Big Brother Africa he lasted all 91 days and finished fourth. Since then he has built a long list of Nollywood film credits, from The Bridal Shower (2018) to Foreigner’s God (2022) and Black Magic (2025), and in 2026 he joined Destiny Etiko in the YouTube comedy Double Trouble 2.
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1985 |
|---|---|
| Age | 41 years |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Occupation | Actor, model, compere |
| State of Origin | Delta State |
| Twin Sister | Melvina Oduah |
| Known For | Big Brother Africa: The Chase (2013, 4th place) |
| Education | University of Port Harcourt (Chemistry) |
| @melvin0duah |
Ben MillikenBiography
Melvin Oduah was born on June 28 and comes from Delta State in southern Nigeria. When he entered the Big Brother Africa house in May 2013, his official housemate profile gave his age as 27, which points to a birth year of 1985. He marks his birthday on Instagram every year; on June 28, 2026, he posted “+1 Thank you God!” with a set of new photos.
He grew up in a family of four children. His twin sister, Melvina Oduah, runs her own verified Instagram account and describes herself as a nightlife personality. The family also includes Toni and Tonia, who are twins as well.
Melvin studied chemistry at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, according to BellaNaija’s 2013 profile of him, and later added a diploma in business. He was already modelling while still in school, and that side job soon turned into a run of national contests.
Career
Gulder Ultimate Search and Mr Nigeria
The first big break came on Gulder Ultimate Search, the jungle survival show. He finished as first runner-up in the sixth season, Horn of Valour, in 2009. Two years later he entered Mr Nigeria 2011 and again came second.
He did not hide his frustration later. “I was a favourite in Gulder Ultimate Search as well as in Mr. Nigeria but I didn’t win,” he told BellaNaija in September 2013.
Big Brother Africa: The Chase (2013)
In May 2013, M-Net picked him and model Beverly Osu as Nigeria’s two housemates for Big Brother Africa season 8, The Chase. The show ran for 91 days, from May 26 to August 25, 2013, with $300,000 at stake. Melvin made it to the final night and finished fourth; Namibia’s Dillish Mathews won.
He also won something inside the house. During charity week, each housemate recorded a short video asking the African Union to act on poverty, and viewers voted for the best one. Melvin’s message on energy poverty took 51% of the vote, or 42,170 of 82,474 votes, the ONE Campaign announced on October 17, 2013. “I think everyone needs to seize every opportunity to do something good every time,” he said after the win.
Looking back, he said the prize money was never the whole point. “I went there to have fun and to have a fulfilled experience and that’s exactly what I did,” he told BellaNaija.
Moving into Nollywood
Acting was always the plan after the show. “I was an actor before I went into the house,” he told Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds in October 2013, promising “more movies.” He added that he would keep modelling, presenting and hosting events as well.
That is close to how things turned out. His IMDb credits include The Bridal Shower (2018), Foreigner’s God (2022), Money Miss Road (2022) and a busy 2023, with roles such as Dafe in Love Chances, Caleb in Love Hurts and Benedict in Deadly Mistake. In 2024 he played Mr. Joseph in Miss PJ and Collins in Angel from Hell, and appeared in Dear Sister-in-Law and The Enemy Within.
In 2025 he played Tega in Black Magic. On August 19, 2026, Double Trouble 2 premiered on Chinemelu TV on YouTube, with Melvin in the cast beside Destiny Etiko, Chioma Nwosu and Chinenye Uba. His IMDb page also lists Omambala, in which he plays Okechukwu; the film is still in post-production.
Compere and brand work
His Instagram bio lists four jobs: actor, model, compere and brand influencer. He is managed through the @allthingzyou_ account and posts paid campaigns for fashion and fragrance brands. On October 28, 2026, he shared a video for the perfume label Romeron, calling it a brand that “takes you from ZERO TO A HUNDRED instantly.”
Controversies and Disputes
Rivalry talk after Big Brother Africa
After the 2013 season, blogs claimed there was a rivalry between Melvin, Beverly Osu, Uti Nwachukwu and Denrele Edun over who could pull bigger crowds. He shut the story down on Channels Television in October 2013. He said he and Beverly are “more like siblings” and that “she sees me as a brother.”
He was less warm about Zimbabwe’s Oneal, a fellow housemate who was said to have spoken against the Nigerian and West African housemates during the show. “I was surprised,” Melvin said, adding that the two had not spoken since the finale.
The 2017 Instagram scam claim
In January 2017, an Instagram user accused him of taking money to register her as a model and never delivering. Melvin said the claim came from an impostor account that used his name. He told followers his real handle is @melvin0duah, written with a zero, and wrote: “I have never and will never ask anybody for money or airtime or any stupid petty crap via IG.” BellaNaija reported his denial on January 5, 2017, and nothing further came of the claim.
Speaking up on herdsmen attacks
In February 2018, after deadly attacks on farming communities, he criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s response in a chat with HipTV. “The part that pains Nigerians the most is the silence of our president,” he said. “Whatever it is about, it must stop.”
Awards and Nominations
His main titles are contest placings: first runner-up at Gulder Ultimate Search 6 in 2009, first runner-up at Mr Nigeria 2011, and fourth place at Big Brother Africa: The Chase in 2013. Inside the Big Brother Africa house, he also won the ONE Campaign’s African Union video challenge with 51% of the public vote.
Personal Life
His closest public friendships come from the Big Brother years. He still calls Beverly Osu a sister, and in July 2017 the two former reality stars made news when he toured Dubai with BBNaija’s Debie-Rise.
Death of his mother
The family suffered a loss in July 2026. On July 20, 2026, Melvin posted a memorial image on Instagram with the words: “R.I.P Mum! Thank you for everything!” He closed the post with: “It is well with your soul!” On September 22, 2026, he posted again to thank everyone “for all your love and support.”
Timeline
1985: Melvin Oduah is born on June 28 into a Delta State family.
2009: He finishes first runner-up at Gulder Ultimate Search 6, Horn of Valour.
2011: He comes second at the Mr Nigeria pageant.
May 26, 2013: He enters the Big Brother Africa: The Chase house as one of Nigeria’s two housemates.
August 25, 2013: He finishes fourth on the season’s final night.
September 21, 2013: BellaNaija runs his first big post-show interview.
October 2013: He appears on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds and talks up a move into acting.
October 17, 2013: ONE names him the winner of its African Union video challenge.
January 5, 2017: He denies an Instagram scam claim and points fans to his real @melvin0duah handle.
July 2017: He tours Dubai with BBNaija star Debie-Rise.
February 2018: He criticises the federal government’s silence over herdsmen attacks on HipTV.
2018: The Bridal Shower is released.
2022: He appears in Foreigner’s God and Money Miss Road.
2023: He plays Dafe in Love Chances, Caleb in Love Hurts and Benedict in Deadly Mistake.
2024: He plays Mr. Joseph in Miss PJ and Collins in Angel from Hell.
2025: He plays Tega in Black Magic.
June 28, 2026: He celebrates his 41st birthday on Instagram.
July 20, 2026: He announces his mother’s death on Instagram.
August 19, 2026: Double Trouble 2 premieres on YouTube.
September 22, 2026: He thanks supporters for their messages after his mother’s death.
October 28, 2026: He promotes the perfume brand Romeron on Instagram.
Net Worth
Melvin Oduah earns most of his money from Nollywood acting fees, compere jobs at events, and paid brand posts on an Instagram account with about 155,000 followers. Contest prize money played a smaller part, since he finished as a runner-up rather than a winner on all three big shows. His film fees, event rates and assets are not public, so we do not publish a figure for him yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Melvin Oduah?
He was born on June 28, 1985, and turned 41 in June 2026.
Where is Melvin Oduah from?
He comes from Delta State in southern Nigeria.
Does Melvin Oduah have a twin?
Yes. His twin sister is Melvina Oduah, and the family also includes another set of twins, Toni and Tonia.
Did Melvin Oduah win Big Brother Africa?
No. He finished fourth on Big Brother Africa: The Chase in 2013. Namibia’s Dillish Mathews won the $300,000 prize.
What is Melvin Oduah’s Instagram handle?
His verified handle is @melvin0duah, spelled with a zero in place of the letter O.
