The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos) Season 3 kicked off on January 12, 2025, airing Sundays at 8 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151, GOtv Channel 8), with episodes streaming as a fast-follow on Showmax every Monday from January 13. After Season 2’s record-breaking run, landing in Showmax’s top-10 most-watched shows in Nigeria for 2024, this third installment cranks up the heat, blending returning queens with bold newcomers for a cocktail of drama, glamour, and Lagos high-society spice. Produced by Livespot 360 and distributed by NBCUniversal Formats, it’s the franchise’s latest chapter, and it’s already making waves.
The Cast: A Mix of Vets and New Blood
Season 3 shakes up the roster, keeping three fan favorites while waving goodbye to some Season 2 staples. Back in the spotlight are Laura Ikeji-Kanu, the social media maven and entrepreneur; Mariam Timmer, the unfiltered PR powerhouse; and Carolyna Hutchings, the entertainment mogul who skipped Season 2 but returns with unfinished business from Season 1. Gone are Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Lawani-Adebayo, Chioma Ikokwu, and Faith Morey some by choice, others by cut leaving room for a trio of fresh faces.
Meet the newbies: Adeola “Diiadem” Adeyemi, a beauty influencer and entrepreneur with a chill vibe masking a steely core; Dabota Lawson, a former beauty queen turned cosmetics tycoon, bringing glamour and a don’t-test-me edge; and Sophia Momodu, a fashion entrepreneur and socialite known for her anti-bullying stance and ties to Afrobeat’s Davido. “I’m just me take it or leave it,” Sophia told OkayAfrica pre-premiere, hinting at a season of authenticity amid the chaos.
The Drama: Old Wounds, New Wars
Ten episodes in Episode 10 dropped March 17 on Showmax and Season 3’s already a battlefield. The premiere (January 12) set the tone: beauty queens arrived, old grudges resurfaced, and the vibes shifted fast. Carolyna’s return sparked instant friction with Diiadem over a late arrival to Dabota’s event, while Dabota and Sophia’s “war of words” turned a beach trip messy by Episode 2. Mariam, true to form, clashed with Diiadem over a “no gele” rule at an owambe, and by Episode 7, Laura and Carolyna’s reconciliation attempt fizzled into shade over lunch.
The Ghana trip in Episode 9? Explosive. Carolyna and Dabota’s tension boiled over think raised voices, maybe more while Sophia’s peace bid with Dabota flopped. Episode 10 saw Diiadem draw a line: “Just avoid me, I don’t even want to be your friend,” she snapped, per Showmax’s X tease. Sophia’s fashion show tried to pivot to glamour, but the paintball-to-dinner clash between Carolyna, Diiadem, Dabota, and Mariam kept the fire burning. “Iconic” doesn’t cover it X fans are calling it the season that “redefines drama and elegance.”
The Stakes: Ratings and Realness
Showmax isn’t shy about the hype: Season 3 debuted with the most first-day views ever in Nigeria and Ghana, ranking third across Africa behind Kenya and South Africa. Dr. Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice’s content chief, promised “surprises” pre-launch, and Darey Art-Alade of Livespot 360 doubled down: “Reality as real as it gets.” Halfway through its 12-episode arc (assuming Season 2’s length holds), it’s delivering opulent parties, heartfelt cracks, and clashes that feel unscripted, even if editing’s got fans like Tania from Season 2 grumbling about “manipulative” cuts.
The vibe’s evolved. Where Season 2 was Mariam vs. Faith or Toyin’s pregnancy shade, Season 3’s about fractured alliances and new territory think Ghana trips and trust lessons. Carolyna’s vowed vulnerability “healed, happy-go-lucky,” she told OkayAfrica battles Dabota’s “goofy but unapologetic” unpredictability. Laura’s dodging apology energy, per DStv recaps, and Sophia’s guarding her private life: “What people don’t know, they can’t ruin.” It’s less about fashion flexes (though Toyin’s Versace ghost looms) and more about raw, messy bonds.
The Buzz: Love, Hate, and Hooked
Fans are split but glued. X posts laud Mariam’s truth-saying and Dabota’s queenly chaos, while others drag Carolyna-Dabota feuds as “exhausting.” “Episode 10’s a must-watch,” one user buzzed March 17, mirroring Showmax’s push. Critics like Zikoko’s fight rundown track every spat, from boat drama to beach blowouts. It’s not perfect; some call it “chaotic” over “classy,” but that’s the RHOLagos draw Lagos elite, unfiltered.
Where It’s At
As of tonight, March 23, Episode 11’s looming (March 24 on Showmax), with two episodes left if it’s a 12-parter. No reunion date’s set, but Season 2’s March 27 drop suggests late April. Catch up on Showmax, Seasons 1-2 are there, and Season 3’s halfway mark proves it’s not slowing down. For Lagos’ queens, it’s about surviving the spotlight and each other. Love it or loathe it, Season 3’s rewriting the playbook, one clash at a time.