Ebuka Obi-Uchendu isn’t a stranger to the Nigerian entertainment scene. He first stepped into the spotlight as a housemate on the first-ever Big Brother Naija show in 2006 and has since come full circle to hosting the subsequent seasons of the show. However, to fully appreciate his journey, it’s important to explore his quite captivating, ever-evolving fashion sense.
Like many other Nigerian men, Ebuka’s style wasn’t innate. His path to becoming the fashion icon we know today wasn’t without misses either. But through the years, a recurring theme in his lifestyle and style has been seeking adventure. On Ndani TV’s The Juice interview with Bolanle Olukanni, Ebuka recalled that his journey into entertainment was inspired by boredom- a bold leap to pivot from law into entertainment.
About a decade later after his stint on the reality show, he got a call back from MultiChoice to host the second season of the show, becoming the first-ever ex-housemate to host the show. “I wanted to stand out. The worst thing you can be as a presenter is to be someone else. So when I knew I needed an edge, I chose fashion.”
At 41, Ebuka stands out among many Nigerian men of his generation due to his expressiveness in his outfit choices. Ebuka’s style is a slight slip away from conventionality, giving him an edge in the contest for the title of the most stylish man of his generation. Through his style evolution, he has collaborated with Nigeria’s biggest menswear designers including Atafo, Ugo Monye, and Vanskere, amongst others. His style is proof that practice makes good, and truly consistency makes perfect.
The Simple, Zero Risks Ebuka, Circa 2012
After the Big Brother Naija show in 2006, Ebuka pursued a masters degree in Law and graduated from the Washington College of Law of the American University, D.C. At an event for the World Economic Forum, his outfit is a traditional, double-buttoned two-piece Ankara and a hula cap. Even though Ebuka hadn’t explored extensive styling, he still paid meticulous attention to how he looked.
The Dapper Groomsman, Circa 2016
The Nigerian wedding industry is one of the most luxurious and lavish, owing to the elaborate celebration of weddings within our societies. However, it’s a common observation that most of the fanfare often revolves around the bride, her train, and sometimes the groom. But not when Ebuka is a member of your bridal party.
At this time, the media personality was three years into hosting Rubbin Minds, a live talk show on Channels Television to highlight the impact of Nigerian youth making disruptive changes within their respective industries.
Alongside honing his presenting skills, Ebuka got more comfortable with exploring crisp menswear, especially at weddings. His looks at the weddings of Noble Igwe and Chioma, as well as Toolz and Captain Demuren, are noteworthy here.
The Disruptive Agbada Look Of 2017
It’ll be impossible to talk about Ebuka’s style evolution without mentioning “the Agbada” from #BAAD2017, a fashion moment that coined the phrase “pull an Ebuka.” At the wedding of one of his close friends and celebrity sweethearts, Banky W and Adesua Etomi, Ebuka made a daring fashion statement. This was shortly after MultiChoice had named him the official host for the second season of Big Brother Naija, about a decade after his appearance on the show. Ebuka’s aura at this time was more confident and poised and this was quite evident in his style. The three-piece Agbada ensemble was designed by ace Nigerian menswear designer, Ugo Monye, who created Ebuka’s defining fashion moment.
Prints, colors, and audacity
Now an accomplished media personality and TV host, Ebuka has little to nothing to prove in his career anymore. From syncing his law discipline with his work in media in the African Magic Legal Show Judging Matters as a Counsel, to hosting all seven subsequent seasons of the Big Brother Naija Show, to his successful Sunday show Rubbin Minds, Ebuka has done it all. Now, his style is evolving to embrace more complex and intricate fashion elements and he’s killing it. His BBNaija eviction night outfits feature jaw-dropping and well-designed pieces, sparking conversations about his applaudable fashionable sense.
There’s a running joke about how audacious Nigerian men are, and Ebuka is not beating the rumors when it comes to his fashion.