NIGERIA: Speed Darlington’s ‘Apology’ Sparks Deeper Concerns

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Controversial Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, is again under fire, not just for a disturbing viral video but for a pattern of behavior that critics say can no longer be dismissed as mere publicity.

In a recent video that went viral, the artist appeared to brag about sleeping with a 15-year-old girl, triggering widespread outrage and demands for legal action.

The backlash was swift, with Lagos State Government, rights agencies and child protection advocates calling for an investigation.

But in a follow-up post, Speed Darlington said the story was fictional, a calculated move to promote his new song.

“I need controversy to eat,” he said. “Nobody is booking something that is not trending,” he said in a video released on Wednesday.

His explanation, framed as an apology, has only deepened public anger as observers say the issue goes beyond one video.

In 2022, he was accused by neighbors of inappropriate behavior toward a 16-year-old girl. He responded by livestreaming the confrontation while holding a knife. In 2023, he posted online about wanting a second girlfriend between the ages of 16 and 20.

Critics now argue that his pattern of targeting underage girls, whether real or performed , is alarming. “This is not just about clout-chasing. There is a disturbing fixation here,” said a Lagos-based child rights advocate.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons have both expressed concern and called for accountability.

Online, many Nigerians are asking why he hasn’t yet been invited for questioning.

Some fans, meanwhile, remain loyal, suggesting his antics are part of a performance persona. But others say that excuse no longer holds. “This is grooming culture masked as entertainment,” wrote one social media user.