The most controversial Nigerian celebrities have somewhat found a way to remain talked about and relevant by doing the things they do in order for people to constantly talk about them. And while it might be a difficult thing to imagine, most of these celebrities deliberately court controversies as a way of staying relevant.
One of the quickest ways to remain relevant in Nigeria is to be controversial. This way, bloggers and even the media will always have their gaze on you, knowing you are controversial. However, it is also safe to admit that some of these controversial Nigerian celebrities are huge believers of the “fake it till you make it” slogan, which means they might need to tell lies about their personality, earnings and lifestyle in order to deceive the public, even though these lies are obvious. Call it a relevant marketing strategy and you probably won’t be wrong.
Top 10 Controversial Nigerian Celebrities
For the most part, controversial Nigerian celebrities are not exactly loved but they enjoy decent and more than the average social media following because they provide entertainment and relief to some as a result of their controversies.
Here are the top 10 controversial celebrities in Nigeria and how they have managed to stay in the eyes of the media over the years.
10. Jaruma
Real named Hauwa Saidu Mohammed, Jaruma or Jaaruma is the founder of the popular Jaaruma Empire Limited. She’s a sex therapist known for selling sex and love enhancement products. Jaruma, over the years has painted herself as an extremely wealthy woman but has been called out for defrauding and lying not just about herself but also about the effectiveness of her products. Many claim her products are real and powerful. She doesn’t fail to come to social media to flaunt her successful business.
9. Kemi Olunloyo
Often regarded as Nigeria’s number one noise maker on social media, Kemi Olunloyo is a self-acclaimed investigative journalist who often claim to be privy to information not known to the public. Everyone knows this blogger and media personality as a blunt woman who doesn’t hesitate to pick on anyone and this, she has done by attacking top celebrities including Wizkid, Davido, Tonto Dikeh and a host of others. Kemi Olunloyo was once sent to jail by one of Nigeria’s richest pastors, David Ibiyeomie after accusing the respected clergyman of adultery. Despite this, Kemi Olunloyo has not stopped accusing people and getting on the nerves of celebrities.
8. Blessing CEO
Blessing CEO whose real name is Blessing Okoro, is a self-acclaimed relationship and mental expert. In addition, she refers to herself as an “intellectual entertainer” and rightly so. She best upholds the “fake it till you make it” saying and shot up to fame after getting arrested by a wealthy Enugu man whose property she passed off as hers. To her, getting controversial and getting dragged by Nigerians across social media is a great strategy for business. When RudeBoy of Psquare wrote “Audio Money”, he was clearly referring to Blessing Okoro.
7. Portable
Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola is a Nigerian musician who is widely regarded as one of the most controversial musicians in Nigeria. He shot to stardom after Olamide got featured on his song “Zazu Zeh”. Since his rise to fame, Portable has gotten into several troubles, including physical fights and several police invitation. Many consider him to be tout who got lucky with fame but that has not stopped or slowed down the musician who claimed to have founded dreaded cult groups with the help of some famous people. He has never been in the news for any right reason, but he trends and makes headline every other week.
6. Emeka Odumeje
Emeka Odumeje fondly referred to as “Indaboski Bahose” is our sixth most controversial Nigerian celebrity, often in the news for all the wrong reasons. To many Christians, they spare no words in regarding him as a fake pastor who poses as a genuine man of God. In truth, Emeka Odumeje has done or said things that has all the signs of questionable pastor. In addition, his miracle sessions are unorthodox and has been seen throwing women as WWE opponents on chairs in his church. Odumeje is not exactly learned, which often makes people see him as a comic relief. He describes himself as “The Lion”, “Liquid metal”, “Indaboski Bahose” and he’s fond of dancing to secular music, as well as spraying money at his services.
5. Bobrisky
Sure, Nigerians still have no LGBT rights, but Bobrisky keeps getting away with it. Bobrisky’s real name is Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju, but he prefers to be addressed as a “she”. This popular cross-dresser has announced getting several surgeries in his bid to becoming a woman. Also, he once announced getting pregnant and was displaying a baby bump on social media. Bobrisky, similarly with some names on this list, lives a showbiz life; where everything he does, and eats gets on social media.
4. Tonto Dike
Once the darling of Nollywood, Tonto Dikeh now symbolizes something entirely different from what she started with at the earliest time of her career. The single mother is a trend magnet and super controversial. From her messy divorce to Olakunle Churchill to her failed relationships with other men, Tonto Dikeh has never spared a moment to go after almost all of her exes. She has been referred to as an extremely toxic individual. The fiesty actress, besides being controversial is highly opinionated. She was once best buddy with Bobrisky until the duo fell apart.
3. Naira Marley
Naira Marley, whose real name is Azeez Fashola, is a Nigeria musician and was once regarded as a threat to the morals of Nigerians and the upcoming generation. The musician whose lifestyle is not exactly hidden from social media has gotten into several troubles over the years. From being in the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to being arrested for flouting COVID-19 rules. His songs, music videos and posts on social media over the years have largely supported the claims that Naira Marley is controversial. His numerous songs have been banned by the Nigeria Broadcasting Service (NBC) over profane and vulgar words.
2. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy, is the second-most controversial Nigerian celebrity. While his music-legendary status is growing exponentially by the minute, Burna Boy is often in the news for thug-like behaviours and has reportedly been involved in several violent-related incidences that has seen people get hurt and injured. Despite his fame, Burna Boy is regarded as insecure and has been known to often brag about being the best in the Nigerian music industry.
From claiming he is self-made and the greatest after Fela-Kuti to getting banned from the UK, the place he studied. This Nigerian music household name is number one among the top controversial celebrities in Nigeria.
1. Daddy Freeze
Ifedayo Lucian Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze is perhaps the most controversial celebrity in Nigeria. The radio personality guru over the years has courted controversies greatly that he has been branded as the “anti-christ” for slandering top Nigerian pastors. He is known for antagonizing pastors and their stance on tithing. Revered clergymen such as Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Adeboye have been his victims of incessant attacks over the years. Daddy Freeze, who has an online church called Leader of the Free Nation in Christ, once referred to Bishop Oyedepo as a “bald headed screeching fowl”, one which generated great controversies and even made several pastors place curses on him. Daddy Freeze is always in the business of criticizing Christians and fellow celebrities at any chance. His grievance over Christians is in tithing and the extravagant lifestyles of top Christian leaders.