Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has publicly supported the controversial opinion of American rapper DDG, who stated that Nigeria is not as dangerous as the United States. Omokri's intervention, shared on his social media platforms on Friday, January 2, 2026, adds fuel to an ongoing debate about the country's global perception.
DDG's Viral Comparison Sparks Debate
The discussion ignited after a video clip of rapper Darryl Dwayne Jr., known as DDG, went viral on social media platform X. The video, originally shared by the account CutnPaid on Thursday, featured DDG speaking candidly during his visit to Lagos. Drawing from his personal experiences living in the US and touring Nigeria, the rapper challenged the widespread narrative of Nigeria being an extremely dangerous nation.
"I think America is the most dangerous country there is, to be honest. I don't think Nigeria is as dangerous as America, nowhere near," DDG asserted in the clip. He acknowledged incidents of robbery in Nigeria but drew a sharp distinction with the gun violence prevalent in America. "You get robbed out here for sure, but people aren't getting shot like that, the way it happens in America," he added. The rapper concluded by encouraging other foreigners to visit, saying, "So if anybody is thinking about coming out here, just pull, bro."
Omokri's Critique of 'De-marketing' Citizens
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, seized on DDG's remarks to criticize Nigerians who consistently portray the country in a negative light online. "You live in Nigeria and have never travelled abroad, yet you swear that Nigeria is bad and constantly de market her online," Omokri wrote. He posed a rhetorical question about whose opinion holds more weight: "Now, who should the world believe, between you, with mono vision, and DDG, with dual vision?"
Omokri bolstered his argument by listing several international celebrities who have expressed positive views after visiting Nigeria. He mentioned singer Chris Brown's strong affection for the country and noted that American singer Ciara, who visited in October, reportedly adopted a Nigerian name and expressed surprise at her feeling of safety. He also referenced Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg's famous unsecured jog in Lagos, and rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West, who have both praised Nigerian culture and work ethic.
"Nigeria is a great country, and will be an even greater country with patriotic citizens, who market her to the world!" Omokri concluded, urging a more positive national discourse.
A Pattern of Defending Nigeria's Image
This is not Omokri's first recent intervention on issues he frames as 'de-marketing'. Just a day prior, on Thursday, he addressed social media reactions to the road accident involving British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Joshua sustained injuries, and two lives were lost in the crash.
Omokri faulted unverified online claims that emergency responders failed to act promptly, which led to international headlines painting Nigeria negatively. He argued that eyewitnesses assisted Joshua within minutes and that professional help arrived shortly after. He clarified that the two fatalities were foreign nationals who suffered fatal injuries on impact, not due to any failure of emergency services.
"Instead of de-marketing Nigeria, why don't you and I wait for the full details of what occurred... before making dramatic and damaging statements whose veracity we cannot be sure of?" he asked. Omokri compared the situation to emergency response delays in developed nations, citing the death of Princess Diana in Paris. His consistent message is a plea for patriotism and verification: "Please be patriotic and wait for an official statement before hastily crucifying Nigeria."
