Afrobeats star Mr Eazi and his wife, Temi Otedola, have ignited a heated online debate after the singer shared a link encouraging fans to bet on the gender of their unborn child. The couple, who are expecting their first child together, faced a wave of criticism from a Nigerian woman who accused them of being tone-deaf and insensitive amid the country's economic hardships.
Mr Eazi's Betting Post Draws Mixed Reactions
Mr Eazi, known for hits like "Leg Over," posted a link on social media inviting fans to participate in a poll predicting whether the baby would be a boy or a girl. The post was initially seen as a playful way to engage with fans and celebrate the upcoming arrival. Many followers joked that the singer might already know the baby's gender, while others teased him for turning the pregnancy into a betting conversation. However, the lighthearted moment quickly turned controversial.
Viral Criticism Over Tone-Deafness
A Nigerian woman, whose video went viral, publicly criticized the couple, stating: "Rich people, rich Nigerians, rich people generally are so incredibly greedy, tone deaf and just removed from reality because asking us Nigerians, which Nigeria is currently poverty capital of the world most likely, the country is in a state of shambles, children are missing, asking us to vote if your millennia-ass wife is having a boy or a girl, like probably the richest family in Nigeria, asking us to bet, bet with the money that we don’t have is so incredibly, like it’s so disturbing, like it’s crazy, it’s very, very crazy, it’s insane, it’s oh shock me girl, oh shock me girl, like you’re not well."
Netizens Defend Mr Eazi
In response, several netizens defended the singer. User @Akikanju1568901 commented: "No need to gaslight Nigerians with one man’s actions. He is a Nigerian; he has every right to do that, and it is up to the average Nigerian to participate or not. He is not forcing anyone to do anything. As much as we hate poverty, the burden of poverty is not on him or the average Nigerian. We did not vote for him to take care of us, and he is not collecting or spending our monthly allocations. If you are really concerned about poverty, go and face your governors—the people you voted for to take care of you. The man is a major businessman and job creator, with many Nigerians feeding and putting food on the table because of his hard work."
Another user, @_pistism, added: "Most Nigerians don’t have priorities. Although there is severe hardship in Nigeria, it will shock you that many Nigerians are richer than more than 50% of Europeans. But where they are willing to put their money is what will surprise you."
User @kolawole40158 joked: "Did he add the option of the exact time the child will be born? If not, if I meet him, I will tell him to do so. But he go don settle me fess."
Omah_nature21 defended the couple, stating: "Aunty keep your jealous ass shut Firstly Mr Eazi get foundation for Nigeria to help youths and teens on their football career Secondly make baba carry e money help some Nigerians wey go still collect rice vote bad government Lastly, Mr Eazi earned his money, nobody dash am."
Mr Eazi's Foundation and Business Ventures
Mr Eazi is not only a musician but also a businessman and philanthropist. He founded the "Eazi Foundation," which supports youth and teens in football careers in Nigeria. The singer has also been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures, including the music streaming service Boomplay and the record label emPawa Africa, which has helped launch the careers of several African artists. According to reports, his businesses have created jobs for many Nigerians, contributing to the economy.
Previous Rumors About Welcoming First Child
Earlier, Mr Eazi had to shut down rumors that he and Temi Otedola had already welcomed their first child. A social media user shared AI-generated photos showing Temi carrying a newborn and claimed the couple had a baby girl. Mr Eazi dismissed the claim by posting a message asking if his wife was aware she had supposedly given birth, effectively shutting down the speculation.
Broader Context of Criticism
The criticism of Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola comes amid widespread economic hardship in Nigeria. According to the World Bank, Nigeria recently became the poverty capital of the world, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line. The country faces high inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, including frequent kidnappings. In this context, some Nigerians view celebrity actions—such as betting games—as out of touch with the struggles of ordinary citizens.
However, defenders argue that individuals like Mr Eazi have the right to enjoy their wealth and engage with fans, and that the focus should be on holding elected officials accountable for the country's problems rather than targeting celebrities.
