Long before he became a household name in Nigerian living rooms, Mike Edwards was high-jumping for Great Britain. He entered the Big Brother Naija house in 2019 as the only married housemate in the season, and he left as one of the most admired — not for drama or controversy, but for something rarer: consistency and integrity. His story spans three countries, two careers, and a business he built to close a gap nobody else was filling.
Mike Edwards Biography
| Full Name | Mike Olayemi Edwards |
| Date of Birth | 11 July 1991 |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Lagos State, Nigeria (raised in Manchester, UK) |
| Nationality | British-Nigerian |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Former Athlete, TV Personality, Model |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Wife | Perri Shakes-Drayton (British Olympian) |
| Children | One son (Matthew Olaoluwa Edwards) |
| Education | B.Sc. Communications, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Early Life and Background
Mike Olayemi Edwards was born in Lagos State, Nigeria, but grew up in Manchester, England, where he attended school and began his athletic career. He is of Yoruba ethnicity and is one of four siblings, the only boy alongside three sisters. His Nigerian name, Olayemi, nods to his cultural roots even as his life and career took shape predominantly in the United Kingdom.
His upbringing in Manchester gave him a distinctly British accent that would later charm Big Brother Naija viewers who appreciated hearing a Nigerian person deliver jokes and commentary in his particular cadence.
Education
Mike Edwards pursued his higher education in the United States, attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University through the University of Alabama and the University of Louisville, where he studied and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. His education in the US also deepened his international networks and exposed him to American business culture, which would later inform his entrepreneurial approach.
Athletic Career
Before BBNaija and business, Mike Edwards was a competitive track-and-field athlete, specialising in the high jump. He represented Great Britain in international competitions, most notably the 2009 European Junior Championships. His athletic career was marked by dedication and international competition, though it came to an abrupt end when he attempted to represent Nigeria instead of Britain at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He was declared ineligible because he had previously represented Great Britain at the 2009 European Junior Championship, a decision he has described as the lowest point of his professional life.
Business Career: Aireyys
Determined to continue making his mark after athletics, Mike Edwards founded Aireyys — a luxury cigar line based in the United Kingdom. The significance of the venture was not lost on the business world: Aireyys became the first Black-owned cigar line in the United Kingdom. The brand has been endorsed by Steve Harvey, Essence Magazine, and other influential names, reflecting its growing prestige.
The cigar business is not a side project for Mike — it is his primary professional focus, and he has spoken extensively about his ambition to expand Aireyys into the African market. It was partly to promote this expansion that he entered the Big Brother Naija house.
BBNaija Season 4 (Pepper Dem, 2019)
Mike Edwards entered the fourth season of Big Brother Naija, tagged “Pepper Dem,” as a wildcard — a married man in a house where romantic drama was almost guaranteed. He handled the environment with a discipline that earned him enormous respect. He consistently declared his love for his wife Perri and refused to engage in any romantic entanglement with other housemates. He finished as the first runner-up, coming second to eventual winner Mercy Eke.
Following the show, he was named brand ambassador for Mitsubishi, among other partnerships. His BBNaija performance confirmed that integrity and self-awareness are genuinely bankable qualities.
Personal Life
Mike is married to Perri Shakes-Drayton, a British Olympic athlete who represented Great Britain in hurdles events and has won multiple medals across international competitions. Nike sponsored her at the height of her career. The couple married in 2018 after a relatively short courtship, and their relationship has been one of the most publicly affectionate in the Nigerian celebrity space. They have one son together, Matthew Olaoluwa Edwards, and live in the United Kingdom.
Net Worth
Mike Edwards’ net worth is estimated between $595,000 and $600,000. His wealth comes primarily from the Aireyys cigar business, brand endorsements including Mitsubishi, modelling, and television work. He has also been reported to own luxury cars.
Conclusion
Mike Edwards demonstrated on BBNaija that a person’s character can be a competitive advantage, not just a personal virtue. His journey from elite athlete to pioneer entrepreneur to national television personality has been unusual, but it has always been driven by the same quality: the willingness to compete at the highest level available to him, whatever that arena happens to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mike Edwards?
He was born on 11 July 1991 and is 33 years old as of 2025.
Who is Mike Edwards’ wife?
He is married to Perri Shakes-Drayton, a British Olympian and television personality.
What is Aireyys?
Aireyys is Mike Edwards’ luxury cigar brand, based in the UK. It is the first Black-owned cigar line in the United Kingdom.
What season of BBNaija did Mike Edwards appear in?
He appeared in BBNaija Season 4 (Pepper Dem, 2019), finishing as first runner-up.
Why was Mike Edwards banned from the 2018 Commonwealth Games?
He was declared ineligible to represent Nigeria because he had previously competed for Great Britain at the 2009 European Junior Championship.
Disclaimer:This biography has been prepared using information sourced from the public domain and other credible outlets. It is meant for informational use only. Accuracy is a priority; however, changes in facts or perspectives may arise as new details emerge.
