BBNaija Season 7 winner Phyna has ignited a social media storm after recounting her childhood on The Nancy Isime Show, claiming she worked as a waitress in her aunt's restaurant at the age of three. The clip, shared on Instagram on August 15, 2026, shows Phyna, whose real name is Josephine Otabor, describing being sent to live with her father's elder sister in Auchi, where she allegedly served customers, predominantly men, from a very young age.
Phyna's Childhood Claims Draw Heavy Scepticism
In the interview, Phyna detailed her early life, stating: "Growing up, for me, it wasn't really easy, so let me start from scratch. So the thing is, I actually grew up with my aunts, my dad's elder sister in Auchi, and my aunt sells food. It's a restaurant. Now imagine a young girl in a restaurant at a very tender age. I was given to my aunty at 3, and I was 3, so at 3 I was already in a restaurant, serving more of men."
She also recounted how her education was disrupted after her father had an accident, forcing her to accompany him from hospital to hospital, causing her to miss SS1 and SS2 entirely. "I just finished my JSS3 then, and I had to go with my dad from one hospital to another, and that cost me SS1 and 2. I never attended SS1 and 2," she added.
Nigerians on X Question the Feasibility of a Toddler Serving Food
The portion of her story involving age three drew the heaviest criticism, with many users on X arguing that the claim defied basic logic. Commenters pointed to the physical and developmental limitations of a toddler as the core of their scepticism.
@DeNiike_ wrote: "My niece is 3 years old. She's literally a baby. Girl GTFOH with your lies." @tobssunny added: "A bloody liar... I was 3 2001 when that bomb blast at Lagos happened. Lol I was being carried about. But that's all I can point to, how useful would a 3 year old be in a restaurant ??? oniro ofo"
@UmekweDaniel commented: "Nothing wey I no go see for this Obasanjo Internet like 3 years old. It's very hard to believe. Some 3 yr old can't speak properly. You were serving men! Lienus" @Mr_Daviez said: "A 3yo can't even get hold of dishes how much more of a tray of a meal abi na pure water she dey serve them. Microphone and camera go dun Taya for these folks"
Social Media Reactions Show Widespread Disbelief
@2WayV_ wrote: "Lmaoooo 3 year old wey never start school. Her aunty try sha. Till now she never get sense" @Onuh_0007 noted: "Only people that doesn't have or never had a 3 year old child will agree with her. Note how she stylishly said 'serving men' you will understand the propaganda she is trying to push."
The backlash comes amid Phyna's recent openness about ending her beef with Afrobeats superstar Davido, which she discussed on a Twitch livestream, stating that time and maturity have changed her perspective and she believes a proper conversation could help both parties understand what went wrong.
