Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7, Phyna, has spoken candidly about what she describes as the biggest financial mistake of her life — spending most of her ₦100 million prize money on family responsibilities instead of securing investments for her future.
Speaking during a recent livestream, the reality TV star, whose real name is Josephina Otabor, revealed that she lacked financial guidance after emerging victorious from the reality show in 2022.
According to Phyna, rather than seeking professional financial advice or building long-term investments, she focused heavily on helping relatives by paying off debts, giving financial support, and funding projects, including the construction of several boreholes for family members.
“The mistake I made was using my Big Brother Naija prize money to support family members instead of investing it,” she said.
She explained that at the time, she believed she was doing the right thing by assisting relatives who constantly approached her for help.
“I thought I was helping my family members and sorting out their debts. I was spending generously on them,” she stated.
Phyna further disclosed that none of the older members of her family advised her on how to properly manage or invest the money.
“All of them were constantly demanding money from me for several things. I dug a lot of boreholes for family members,” she added.
The reality star also lamented that tensions began to grow once she started turning down requests for financial assistance.
“But the moment I started saying ‘No,’ that was the beginning of my problem with family members. They complain and even call me out in the media whenever I can’t meet their demands,” she said.
Reflecting on the aftermath of her spending, Phyna admitted she is now left to face the consequences alone after the money eventually ran out.
“But now that the money has finished, I’m the only one facing the reality alone,” she lamented.
