Nollywood actor and former Mr Nigeria Ugo Nwokolo has taken to social media to clarify his controversial remarks about internet fraud, known as 'Yahoo,' and its perceived role in Nigeria's economy. In a post on X on July 28, Nwokolo insisted he does not support fraud but acknowledged that Yahoo activities have indirectly stimulated economic circulation.
The Comment That Sparked Outrage
The controversy began when Nwokolo, during a video discussion, spoke about how difficult survival has become for ordinary Nigerians, particularly civil servants and low-income earners. He questioned how someone earning between N50,000 and N90,000 monthly could realistically afford rent in cities like Abuja and Lagos, where some properties now attract annual rents running into millions of naira.
Nwokolo went further to suggest that those able to afford such luxury tend to be wealthy individuals, some of whom are involved in fraudulent activities. He argued that internet fraud has indirectly kept economic activity going because money, regardless of its source, still circulates within the system. He was quick to add that he was not endorsing crime and that his point was simply to spotlight Nigeria's grim economic realities.
Backlash and Accusations of Hypocrisy
Despite his clarification at the time, the remarks drew sharp criticism online. Many social media users accused him of normalizing crime and undermining efforts to combat fraud. User @olawale_bam wrote: 'Banditry is helping the economy too. Terrorism is infact helping the economy. This is not a comprehension issue. You just spoke trash!'
Another user, @emmanuelisaseed, commented: 'What you need is mentorship to reshape how you think!! What made the houses overpriced is not your problem, but those who buy them should be praised abi? Luxury wouldn't have been for a selected few (evil few) if the economy is good enough. You've got a dangerous mindset there.'
Ugo Nwokolo's Defense
In response to the backlash, Ugo Nwokolo took to his X account on July 28 to set the record straight once more. He wrote: 'I will never support FRAUD OR YAHOO. The question asked was: Do you think yahoo has contributed to the economy and I said Yes! IMO. Come to think of it, is it the civil servant whose salary is 100k that will buy all those overpriced houses in lekki. Y'll are hypocrites.'
His response did little to cool things down, with many social media users doubling down on their criticism, interpreting his statement as an indirect endorsement of illegal activities.
Broader Economic Context
Nwokolo's comments highlight a recurring debate in Nigeria about the country's struggling economy. With inflation rising and purchasing power declining, many Nigerians find it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities and housing. The actor's remarks, while polarizing, underscore the desperation felt by many citizens and the complex relationship between illicit wealth and economic survival.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the glamorization of fraud in popular culture, with critics calling on celebrities to be more responsible in their public statements.
