The digital landscape in Nigeria remained as vibrant and contentious as ever in 2025, with content creators driving significant online conversations. This year, a series of public disputes involving high-profile personalities and Chinese products captured the nation's attention, highlighting the intense competition for clout and the complexities of cross-border business promotions.
The Spark: Blord's "Upgraded" iPhone XR Launch
In the latter part of 2025, prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and CEO of Blord Group, Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, ignited the first major controversy. He took to social media to unveil a product he claimed was an iPhone XR that had been upgraded in China to the specifications of an iPhone 17 Pro.
In a now-viral presentation, Blord showcased the device, stating it was freshly imported and sealed in a brand new carton. He emphasized the conversion, saying, "This is XR, but they converted it to 17 Pro. It's an upgrade... Your enemies no go even know." He announced the price for this upgraded iPhone XR at N400,000.
VeryDarkMan's Price Check from China
The controversy escalated almost immediately when social media activist Vincent Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan or VDM, countered Blord's claims. Coincidentally, VDM was in China at the time and conducted his own price investigation.
He publicly called out Blord, accusing him of attempting to extort Nigerians with inflated pricing. VDM claimed that the same phone cost approximately N280,000 in China, a price he said he had personally verified. This accusation triggered a heated and prolonged online spat between the two figures, drawing in their massive followings.
A Friendship Sours: VDM vs. China Ross
In a separate but equally dramatic feud, VeryDarkMan turned his criticism towards China Ross (Ross Boss), a Chinese businessman previously considered his friend and benefactor. VDM advised his followers against doing business with Ross, casting doubt on his integrity and stating he would not be held responsible for any negative outcomes.
China Ross fought back fiercely, revealing detailed financial arrangements. He claimed he was the one who facilitated VDM's trip to China, providing an invitation letter and covering all expenses. Ross stated that the total amount spent on VDM was $15,000, which included cash for shopping and bank transfers. He expressed frustration at being misunderstood, asking publicly why he would spend such a sum to deceive a friend. This exchange led to a bitter public fallout, with many Nigerian netizens criticizing VDM for his attempt to discredit Ross.
The year 2025 demonstrated how the pursuit of online influence and the promotion of products, particularly those linked to international markets like China, can quickly spiral into major public disputes. The clashes between VeryDarkMan, Blord, and China Ross underscored the powerful role of social media in shaping business narratives and personal reputations in Nigeria's digital economy.
