Award-winning Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo, found himself in a heated online exchange after commending officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for their dedication during the 2025 festive season.
Dakolo's Public Applause for LASTMA
On Tuesday, December 31, 2025, the "Great Nation" crooner took to his social media platform to publicly applaud the traffic officials. He highlighted their "round-the-clock" service throughout the hectic month of December, a period notorious for gridlock and pressure on Lagos roads.
Dakolo pointed out that while many Nigerians were enjoying the holidays with family and friends, these officers remained on duty, managing the chaotic traffic to ensure smoother movement across the state. He described their efforts as commendable and urged the public to appreciate individuals who consistently show up for demanding jobs.
The Critic's Dismissal and Dakolo's Fiery Retort
However, not everyone agreed with the singer's gesture of appreciation. One social media user dismissed the praise, arguing that managing traffic was a basic duty the officers were employed to perform and did not warrant special recognition.
The remark did not sit well with Timi Dakolo, who chose to respond directly. In a sharp retort, he told the critic to keep quiet, questioning whether they truly understood the concept of working round the clock, especially during a festive period.
"Is it a fish swimming? Do you know what round the clock means?" Dakolo fired back, emphasizing that no job should be taken for granted. He insisted that people who perform strenuous duties deserve applause when they execute their roles effectively.
Mixed Reactions from Netizens
The online spat quickly drew reactions from other social media users, creating a divide in opinions.
Some users sided with the critic. User @drjallo commented, "How is this even that deep to the point you insult someone. Have LASTMA done anything beyond the job they are paid by the public to do?" Another, @Rotimi3601, wrote, "Timi, don’t clap for the simple things. I go to Ikorodu weekly and I ain't felt the difference when they are there."
Conversely, many others supported Dakolo's stance. User @Xkuadfoshizi stated, "Thank you sir for shushing him, these guys work tirelessly round the clock straight 24hours . People think it’s easy to work round the clock or maybe he doesn’t even know what round the clock means." User @TheosophiaQueen added a poignant perspective, noting, "Sometimes it looks like they’re just waiting for someone to die on duty before they can claim they’re working."
This incident is not the singer's first recent public call-out. Legit.ng earlier reported that Timi Dakolo had accused O’tega Ogra, a senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu, of failing to pay him for a completed job. That demand for payment, made via his X (formerly Twitter) account, also garnered significant public attention.
The debate underscores a recurring conversation about the value of public service and the recognition of effort in roles often characterized by stress and public scrutiny.
