The third season of the Showmax original, The Real Housewives of Lagos, is in full swing, and the drama is only getting started. But at Zikoko, we know that watching isn’t enough — you need the receipts to back up your takes on the show.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide, breaking down everything you need to know about The Real Housewives of Lagos cast across all three seasons. Who joined, who left, the biggest conflicts, their social media influence, and what’s coming next — we’ve got it all covered. Each cast member also gets a detailed profile, highlighting their rise to fame, career, and the special brand of drama they bring to the show.
Returning Cast Members (Seasons 1, 2 and 3)
Laura Ikeji
Full Name: Laura Ikeji-Kanu
Age: 36 (born March 15, 1988)
Why She’s Famous: Laura Ikeji-Kanu is a social media influencer and the founder of the cosmetic line LauraBeauty.
Background
Laura was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Over the years, she has established herself as a top lifestyle influencer, using her social media platforms to promote fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. Her book, How to Make Money on Instagram, was published in 2018.
Laura Ikeji-Kanu is married to Christopher Kanu, a former Nigerian footballer, and they have three children together. Laura is also the younger sister of Linda Ikeji, the famous gossip blogger.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Laura’s interactions with fellow cast members were marked by tension, particularly with Carolyna Hutchings. The friction stemmed from past grievances involving Laura’s sister, blogger Linda Ikeji, leading to confrontations.
Season 2: Laura came to the new season as a different person, unwilling to engage in fights. But in the end, her fight with Iyabo Ojo was the biggest topic online. She accused Ojo of being a bully.
Season 3: Laura made up with Carrolyna. Her interactions with the new cast members, including Sophia Momodu, Diiadem and Dabota Lawson, so far have been without drama.
Mariam Timmer
Full Name: Mariam Adeyemi Timmer
Age: 38 (born December 21, 1986)
Why She’s Famous: Mariam Timmer is a PR expert, entrepreneur, and social media influencer. She is the founder of Six Sixteen Agency, a PR and marketing firm, and is known for her bold personality and luxury lifestyle.
Background
Mariam Timmer is an entrepreneur with a background in public relations and media. She has worked with high-profile brands and celebrities, building a reputation as a strategic and innovative PR consultant. Mariam is married to John Timmer, and they have a daughter.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Mariam joined The Real Housewives of Lagos as a late addition but quickly made an impact. She was introduced as Toyin Lawani’s close friend but had a rocky start with some of the ladies. Her strong personality led to clashes, particularly with Carolyna Hutchings, culminating in a dramatic confrontation during the season finale.
Season 2: Mariam continued to assert herself as one of the most vocal cast members. She had ongoing tension with Chioma Ikokwu and Faith Morey, often calling out what she perceived as dishonesty or hypocrisy. At the end of the season, she had a physical altercation with Toyin Lawani.
Season 3: Mariam is only one of three original housewives who returned for the third season. She had an altercation with Diiadem after the latter scolded her for showing up late to an event hosted by Dabota.
Returning Cast Member (Seasons 1 and 3)
Carolyna Hutchings
Full Name: Carolyna Hutchings (formerly Caroline Danjuma, nee Ekanem)
Age: 37 (born June 26, 1987)
Why She’s Famous: Carolyna Hutchings is a Scottish-Nigerian actress. She gained fame in the early 2000s as a Nollywood actress before she left the scene.
Background
Carolyna started her career in Nollywood, starring in mainstream films in the early 2000s before stepping away from the industry after marrying the billionaire Musa Danjuma. Since her divorce from Danjuma, she has returned to acting and, on the show, has spoken about her investment in real estate.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Carolyna’s feud with Toyin Lawani was one of the biggest storylines of the season. The two exchanged harsh words over past grievances, leading to intense confrontations. Carolyna also had a close friendship with Chioma Ikokwu, which was a major dynamic throughout the season.
Season 3: Carolyna returns for the third season as a person who chooses peace over drama. She squashed her beef with Laura, but she had an altercation with Diiadem after the latter accused her of showing up late to an event hosted by Dabota.
New Cast Members Introduced in Season 3
Dabota Lawson
Full Name: Dabota Lawson
Age: 33 ( born June 2, 1991)
Why She’s Famous: Dabota Lawson is a Nigerian entrepreneur, former beauty queen, and influencer known for her work in the beauty and fashion industries. She is the founder of Dabota Beauty, a cosmetics brand specializing in skincare and makeup products.
Background
Dabota gained prominence through her career as a beauty queen and model. She is a former Miss Nigeria, which boosted her public profile and opened doors for her in the entertainment and business sectors.
Dabota transitioned into entrepreneurship and became known for her luxury cosmetics line. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of Leicester and a professional management accounting qualification from The London School of Business and Finance.
Major Storylines
Season 3: Dabota joined the show in season 3. She hosted the cast to a beach getaway, setting the stage for the season’s drama. The tension peaked when she and Sophia clashed in a heated argument, with Sophia calling her “uncouth.”
Sophia Momodu
Full Name: Sophia Momodu
Age: 31 (born August 14, 1993)
Why She’s Famous: Sophia Momodu is a fashion entrepreneur and influencer known for her luxury fashion brand and significant social media presence. She also has a daughter with Davido named Imade Adeleke.
Background
Sophia Momodu is a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and influencer. She is the CEO and Creative Director of The Sophia Momodu Brand (TSMB). Sophia is also known for her philanthropic efforts through the Precious Jewels Foundation. She is also a YouTuber.
Major Storylines
Season 3: Sophia brought a fresh dynamic to the group and plenty of drama. During Dabota’s beach getaway, she found herself in heated altercations with both Diiadem and Dabota after she brought some housewives to the event on her private boat, which Dabota hated.
Diiadem
Full Name: Adeola Chizoba Adeyemi
Age: 33 (born April 12, 1991)
Why She’s Famous: Adeola Adeyemi, known professionally as Diiadem, is a prominent Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and influencer. She is the founder and CEO of Beauty By AD, a cosmetics company in Nigeria.
Background
Born to Yoruba and Igbo parents, Diiadem began her career in 2008 as a model and video vixen, gaining recognition for her trendsetting style. In 2016, she launched Beauty By AD, offering innovative products designed to boost women’s confidence and celebrate their beauty. Today, her brand is a leader in Nigeria’s beauty market.
Major Storylines
Season 3: Diiadem joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Lagos in its third season. She had an altercation with Carolyna, Mariam, and Sophia after they arrived late for Dabota’s event. She was offended that they kept her waiting.
Cast Members in Seasons 1 and 2
Chioma Goodhair
Full Name: Chioma Ikokwu
Age: 35 (born June 25, 1989)
Why She’s Famous: Chioma Ikokwu is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and fashion influencer. She is the co-founder of Good Hair Ltd., a luxury hair and beauty brand, and Brass & Copper, a high-end restaurant in Lagos.
Background
Chioma earned her law degree at the University of Birmingham. She furthered her studies at the University of London, obtaining an LL.M in International Environmental Law and International Commercial Arbitration. After completing her education, she attended the Nigerian Law School.
Beyond her business ventures, Chioma is known for her fashion sense. She has a strong social media following and frequently attends high-profile events.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Chioma was a close friend of Carolyna Hutchings, and the two were inseparable throughout the season. She had a tense relationship with Laura Ikeji and Toyin Lawani, which escalated into one of the season’s most memorable confrontations. Her friendship with Carolyna fell apart after the latter had a fight with Iyabo Ojo, who was Chioma’s friend.
Season 2: Chioma clashed with Mariam Timmer and Faith Morey, leading to heated arguments. The fight with Mariam started after Mariam said Chioma had no children and was not capable of respecting children. Her tensions with Faith started after she asked Faith her age, and the latter found the question invasive.
Tianah
Full Name: Toyin Lawani-Adebayo
Age: 42 (born March 1, 1982)
Why She’s Famous: Toyin Lawani is a celebrity stylist, fashion designer and serial entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Tiannah’s Empire, a conglomerate comprising multiple businesses.
Background
Toyin Lawani is a self-made businesswoman who runs Tiannah’s Place Empire, a conglomerate comprising 33 businesses in fashion, beauty, and real estate. Her ventures include Tiannah Styling Fashion Academy, Tiannah’s Glow (a beauty products line), and Tiannah’s Place Interiors.
She was the costume designer for films like King of Boys: The Return of the King and the series Shanty Town.
Toyin is married to photographer Segun Adebayo, known professionally as Segun Wealth. The couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary in June 2023. Toyin is a mother to three children: Tiannah, Tenola, and Eleora.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Toyin was at the centre of many conflicts in the first season. She had a close friendship with Mariam Timmer but clashed with Carolyna Hutchings, leading to explosive confrontations. She also had a strained relationship with Chioma Ikokwu, which played out throughout the season.
Season 2: Toyin documented her neck surgery in this season. However, she had a physical fight with her long-time friend, Mariam Timmer, after Toyin accused her of saying awful things about her behind her back.
Iyabo Ojo
Full Name: Alice Iyabo Ojo
Age: 47 (born December 21, 1977)
Why She’s Famous: Iyabo Ojo is a Nollywood actress, filmmaker, fashion and beauty entrepreneur, and social media personality. She is one of Nigeria’s most recognizable movie stars, with a career spanning over two decades in both English and Yoruba-language films.
Background
Iyabo Ojo began her acting career in 1998 with the English-language film Satanic. She made her Yoruba-language debut in 2002 with Baba Darijinwon. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous films, including Agogo Ide, Ojanla, Silence, and many others. In 2004, she ventured into film production with her first movie, Bolutife, followed by Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan, and Okunkun Biribiri.
In 1999, at the age of 21, Iyabo Ojo married a Lagos-based clearing agent. The couple has two children: a son, Felix Ojo, and a daughter, Priscilla Ajoke Ojo. They are now divorced.
In 2017, Iyabo Ojo founded Fespris Limited, a conglomerate encompassing Fespris Abula Spo, a restaurant, Fespris World, a beauty and wellness centre and Fespris Production, her film production company.
Major Storylines
Season 1: Iyabo Ojo introduced herself as a thoughtful and engaging host. She organized a beach weekend getaway for the cast, aiming to foster better relationships among the women. Despite her efforts, tensions arose, notably with Laura Ikeji, who declined the invitation, and Chioma Ikokwu, who expressed reservations about the gathering. These interactions set the stage for the season’s dramatic moments.
Season 2: Iyabo Ojo adopted a more assertive role, embracing the “villain” persona to enhance the show’s drama. This shift led to notable confrontations, particularly with Faith Morey and Laura Ikeji. A significant incident occurred when Iyabo stepped on Faith’s dress during a spa gathering, escalating tensions between them. Addressing the criticism of her behaviour, Iyabo explained that her actions were intended to add drama to the show, acknowledging the scripted and edited nature of reality television
New cast members introduced in season 2
Faith Morey
Full Name: Faith Morey
Age: Not public (but her birthday is sometime in October)
Why She’s Famous: Faith Morey is a Nigerian-American model, designer, entrepreneur, and reality TV personality best known for her role in the second season of The Real Housewives of Lagos.
Background
Born and raised in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Faith Morey began her career as a basketball player before transitioning into modelling. She has graced runways at Nigeria’s Next Super Model, Arise Fashion Week, New York Couture Fashion Week, and Johannesburg Fashion Week.
Faith founded Morey Faith Collection, a fashion line, and is a solar consultant. She is the CEO of the Okachi Charity Foundation, which focuses on community development and support.
Major Storylines
Season 2: Faith Morey and Iyabo Ojo didn’t get along. The tension escalated when Faith revealed that she was not fluent in her native language. In response, Iyabo criticised Faith, calling her fake.
Tania Omotayo
Full Name: Tania Omotayo
Age: 33 (born June 14, 1991)
Why She’s Famous: Tania Omotayo is a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and influencer best known for her Ziva Lagos line, a brand specializing in affordable, high-quality clothing and jewellery for women.
Background
Tania was born to an Austrian father and a Nigerian mother. Fluent in English, German, and Yoruba, she first caught public attention at 21 when she was in a high-profile relationship with Wizkid.
Tania is married to Olasunmbo Olawale Winfunke, and they have a daughter named Sarai. She is the founder and creative director of Ziva Lagos, a fashion brand catering to modern women, and Ziva Kids, a concept children’s store.
In 2018, she was listed on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for creatives for her contribution to the Nigerian fashion industry. Tania has also been open about her struggles with endometriosis and uses her experience to educate and inspire others
Major Storylines
Season 2: Tania joined the cast in season two and became close with Iyabo Ojo. She didn’t have a lot of fights on the show, but she accused the producers of manipulative editing.
FAQs
Who is the most followed housewife on Instagram?
Iyabo Ojo, with 6.5 million followers
How much do housewives earn?
Their salaries have not been made public, but it is rumoured that they will be in the millions. Housewives also sometimes make money from sponsorships for the events they host.
Who is the youngest housewife?
Sophia Momodu, at 31, is the youngest of the housewives.
Who is the oldest housewife?
Iyabo Ojo, at 47, is the oldest housewife.
