Nothing is quite as chaotic as Nigerian celebrity news. Whether you pay deliberate attention or not, these people get you to look, one way or another, no thanks to the blogs that hyperfocus on their extracurricular activities.
If you pulled 2023 aside for a tête-à-tête, the conversation would open with: “I’ve been through a lot”. But which celebrities stood out the most throughout the year and got us talking? We ranked eight of them.
8. Seun Kuti
Image source: Instagram/@bigbirdkuti
Big Bird Kuti is as controversial as his daddy, Fela Kuti. But even for him, assaulting an officer of the law was extreme. After a road user shared a video of the singer slapping a policeman, Kuti posted an Insta Story saying, “He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof, but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised, and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose him job.”
But he was still arrested and charged to court over the assault. The last update on the matter was a court hearing slated for September 27.
7. Verydarkblackman
Image source: Instagram/@Verdarkblackman
Self-made skincare people had no peace thanks to Abuja-based influencer turned celebrity, VeryDarkBlackman. His epic battle with skincare entrepreneur, Jennifer Osasenaga (@jennysglownigeria), saw NAFDAC lock her store up, but that wasn’t all.
The influencer spent the better part of 2023 in a protracted battle with skincare business owners, influencers and celebrities, including Iyabo Ojo.
6. Nedu Wazobia
Image source: Instagram/@Nedu_official
Nedu and his Honest Bunch podcast were the harbingers of chaos throughout 2023. Each episode got worse than the last with the OAP leading the conversation on controversial topics about people. From Nedu’s statement about BBNaija female housemates sleeping their way to the top to claiming he walked in on some female influencers in a threesome situation, he was always found wanting for his takes.
5. Do2dtun
Image source: Instagram/@do2dtun
The media personality was embroiled in a messy child custody battle with his ex-wife, Taiwo Oyebanjo. The drama extended to his brother-in-law, Dbanj, whom he accused of playing an active role in keeping his two daughters away from him.
4. Davido
Baba Imade returned to the internet in March, after he released his latest album, Timeless. What followed was baby mama drama that lasted months. A US-based model, Anita, claimed the singer impregnated her and tried to bail. French model, Ivanna Bay, also came out, claiming she was pregnant for the singer. The ladies then proceeded to scatter screenshots of private convos with Davido on social media. And Chioma supporters came hard on the singer for not respecting his marriage.
3. Tbaj
Image source: Instagram/@tolanibaj
Tolani Baj kept a relatively calm profile since her exit from the BBNaija house in 2020, but she deliberately chose chaos in 2023. The reality star’s romance with controversy kicked off in March when she tweeted about her disgust for men who dance in clubs.
Image source: X/@tolanibaj
Fast forward to July, she got into the BBNaija All-Stars house with one single mission: fight for a man’s love on national TV.
The icing on the cake followed in October when Tbaj launched her Bahd & Boujee podcast. As expected, each episode has been engineered to stir controversy with “gba” takes left and right. The last episode is still getting the heat for guest, Koko By Khloe’s remark on women with natural hair.
2. Iyabo Ojo
Image source: Instagram/@iyaboojo
Iyabo Ojo and her black bonnet had a swell 2023. The Nollywood actress took on Naira Marley and his friend, Sam Larry, over their alleged involvement in Mohbad’s demise. She and fellow actress, Tonto Dikeh, received heavy backlash in October after making public videos of their attempt to buy the singer a luxury casket. However, it didn’t stop the actress from leading the campaign for justice for the late Mohbad.
Meanwhile, each episode of The Real Housewives of Lagos season 2 came with drama that touted Iyabo as a bully towards new cast member, Faith Morey.
1. Oladips
Image source: Instagram/@oladips
After a relatively quiet year, the singer rounded up his 2023 on a highly troubling note. On November 14, his management released an official statement announcing his death. The news came as a shock just weeks after Mohbad’s passing. But things got weird after colleague, Qdot, posted “My Gee is alive” on Instagram. Was it just another Skibii-themed PR stunt? Soon after, the singer’s team were promoting his album.
Image source: Instagram/@oladips
They took down the obituary post, and the singer shared an Insta Story video confirming his “aliveness”. In subsequent media appearances, he’s made it a point to drag his management for posting about his death.
