The relentless pursuit of online fame and fortune has led Nigerians to engage in extreme and often disturbing content creation strategies.
From live-streaming a loved one’s final moments to orchestrating public spectacles, the lengths to which individuals will go to garner attention and traffic are alarming.
Recall the demise of Nigerian actor and comedian, Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe who passed on in 2021 and how his son live streamed the corpse crying, “Daddy wake up”.
The trending video of Victor Osimhen insulting his former coach on social media is still fresh in our memories.
The viral video of a woman ripping her husband’s passport at Lagos Airport is another instance of Nigerians seeking fame and attention through dramatic actions.
The consequences of these actions extend beyond mere social media notoriety, as they also contribute to the country’s reputation and limitations on online opportunities.
Otherwise, the repercussions may be severe, including the potential loss of access to online earning opportunities.
I once told someone that very soon Mark Zuckerberg would halt monetisation for Nigerians because we’ve taken it to the extreme.
For individuals who run online businesses as side hustle, there are certain tasks that Nigerians are restricted from performing due online fraud perpetuated by some of our citizens.
It is crucial for Nigerians to reassess their approach to content creation and Facebook monetization, prioritizing authenticity and integrity over sensationalism and clout chasing.
We should strive for a more responsible and respectful online presence, one that showcases the best of Nigerian talent and ingenuity without compromising our values and dignity.