Simi's Call Against Sexual Violence Ignites Digital Firestorm and Institutional Response
Nigerian music sensation Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, professionally known as Simi, has found herself at the epicenter of a major social media controversy that has transcended entertainment circles and entered serious discussions about sexual violence, online activism, and digital accountability. What began as advocacy for a rape victim has spiraled into a complex narrative involving resurfaced decade-old tweets and official government investigations.
From Music Icon to Controversial Figure
At the beginning of February 2026, Simi was celebrated primarily as one of Nigeria's most beloved musical artists, known for her soulful voice and chart-topping hits. However, over the past two weeks, her name has dominated Nigerian social media for reasons far removed from her musical career. The controversy has positioned her at the heart of a national conversation about sexual violence prevention and the lasting impact of digital footprints.
The Mirabel Case: Catalyst for Controversy
The storm began when a TikTok user named Mirabel posted an emotional video alleging she had been raped and physically assaulted. The video spread rapidly across Nigerian social platforms, sparking widespread anger, outrage, and renewed conversations about sexual violence in the country. As public opinion divided between belief, skepticism, and calls for due process, the Ogun State Police confirmed they were investigating the allegations after Mirabel reported to authorities and received medical attention, though no arrests had been made.
Simi entered the conversation with a direct and forceful message on February 17: "STOP RAPING WOMEN!!" She amplified her position by suggesting severe punishment for offenders, writing: "I'm sickkk of this. STOP RAPING WOMEN. They need to castrate rapists and burn them."
When some social media users attempted to shift the discussion toward false accusations, asking what should happen in such cases, Simi emphatically rejected this tangent, maintaining that conversations about false allegations should not derail urgent discussions about sexual violence. This refusal to reframe the narrative angered certain segments of social media users, setting the stage for what would become a digital excavation of her past.
Digital Archaeology: 2012 Tweets Resurface
Within days of her advocacy post going viral, old tweets from Simi's account began circulating widely. These were posts from 2012, years before she achieved mainstream success, when she was 23 years old and working at her mother's daycare center while pursuing her music career. The tweets referenced playful interactions with children at the daycare, which at the time appeared casual and unremarkable but in 2026 were interpreted differently by some critics.
Under the intense scrutiny of contemporary social media culture, certain users presented these decade-old posts as inappropriate or suggestive, and this interpretation spread quickly across X and other platforms. What had started as Simi's call to end rape culture became entangled with accusations questioning her conduct around children years earlier.
Simi's Official Response
On February 22, amid the escalating controversy, Simi released a detailed response on X. She explained that the tweets in question were written 14 years earlier when she was 23, not a minor, and living with her mother while working at the family daycare. She described tweeting about everyday moments, including playful interactions with children, as many young adults did on social media at the time, insisting the posts were innocent and not harmful or malicious.
"I'm not here to make excuses because I don't have anything to make excuses for," she wrote. "But what I can't let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives." She reiterated that she has long been outspoken against rape and sexual assault, stating this advocacy predated her fame.
Divided Public Opinion
The online response has been sharply polarized. Supporters argue that resurfacing old tweets to attack her character represents an unfair deflection from the core message of ending violence against women. Many fans and colleagues have publicly rallied behind her, emphasizing that context matters and that the focus should remain on addressing sexual violence.
Critics maintain that the social media interpretation raises serious concerns deserving scrutiny, with some arguing that context doesn't erase the discomfort certain posts create. A significant point of contention has emerged around perceived inconsistencies in judgment, with critics noting that when male celebrities like Odumodublvck and Ezra faced backlash over resurfaced tweets in the past, many insisted that "old tweets matter" and demanded accountability, while some are now dismissing similar scrutiny of Simi's posts.
The digital scrutiny has extended beyond Simi herself, with old tweets from her husband, Adekunle Gold, also resurfacing as people examine his past posts under the same microscope.
Government Institutions Enter the Fray
By February 24-26, the controversy had moved beyond social media discourse to attract institutional attention. At the federal level, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced it would investigate any credible reports of child sexual abuse linked to the controversy, urging individuals with firsthand information to come forward confidentially.
At the state level, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed it had referred the matter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for preliminary investigation, responding to public concerns about the resurfaced tweets and the daycare referenced in them. DSVA officials emphasized that while online discourse can raise awareness, formal action depends on verifiable complaints and survivor testimony.
Current Status and Implications
As of February 26, 2026, Simi remains a major trending topic across Nigerian social media and beyond. Her official position has been clarified and restated, focusing on her stance against sexual violence while defending the context of her past social media activity.
NAPTIP's invitation for credible reports signals that what began as a purely online controversy now carries real-world legal and social consequences. Public opinion remains deeply divided, with some viewing this as digital archaeology weaponized against an activist voice, while others insist that past words, however old, cannot be ignored when interpreted in potentially harmful ways.
The situation highlights broader questions about digital accountability, the interpretation of historical social media content, and the intersection of celebrity advocacy with serious social issues. As both online debate and official investigations continue, the controversy surrounding Simi's advocacy and resurfaced tweets continues to evolve, reflecting Nigeria's ongoing struggle with sexual violence prevention and the complexities of digital citizenship in the social media age.
