Nigerian celebrities have rallied in support of Bobrisky, the popular transgender, raising 100 million naira (62,893 USD) following his release from jail. Bobrisky, whose real name is Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, 33, was recently freed after spending over six months in prison for allegedly misusing Nigerian currency during a movie premiere.
On August 24, Bobrisky took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the celebrities and friends who offered financial help. He shared their names and the amounts they contributed across two posts.
In his first Instagram post, Bobrisky expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those who supported his financially and otherwise during and after his release.
“I am going to be appreciating this first set of 10 women in my life. I wish Instagram could make me post you all at once but it’s fine. I’m posting the next sweet souls after this,” Bobrisky said, adding that “You all are the real definition of friends. I’m glad I have you all in my life. I’m here to say thank you. God bless you all for me, as you have wiped my tears. God in heaven will wipe all your tears. God bless you.”
Bobrisky published another post, appreciating what he described as “beautiful, heart.”
“I’m proud to have you all in my circle. You are all damn beautiful with kind hearts. You all treated me like the last born. You all ignore my stubbornness and still show me endless support and love. You all will live long in wealth and good health. I will not and never cry over any of you here. Thank you all for standing by me,” he said
Among those who contributed were Nigerian celebrities like Tiwa Savage and Funke Akindele, who each donated 2.5 million naira, (1572USD) while Tonto Dike gave 1 million naira. Other supporters included Moyo Lawal, 1 million naira, Eniola Ajao, 6 million naira, and Dara Simi 300,000 naira.
The donations have sparked mixed reactions across social media. While some joined Bobrisky in thanking the celebrities, others termed the contributions as misplaced priorities. Critics like Martins Vincent Otse, a Nigerian social media influencer known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) argued that the funds could have been better used to address pressing societal issues, such as providing clean water or supporting schools in need. They also expressed concerns that such support could encourage negative behavior and undermine efforts to tackle Nigeria’s challenges.
“What is the positive impact of giving Bobrisky money when there are a lot of communities in Nigeria that don’t have water, a lot of schools that don’t have chairs for children to sit on? I have never seen any of you go to a community to help the children, but you’re giving a fellow man who has been disturbing the youth and Nigeria’s peace a sum of 100 million. You want the government to take you seriously? What are you trying to tell the government—that even if someone commits a crime, you will support them? Be ready because the kind of things you support in this country will come back to haunt you,” VDM said
Bobrisky’s release and the subsequent outpouring of support have kept him in the spotlight, sparking debates at a time when Nigeria faces serious issues like rising food prices and ongoing public crises. Nigeria is curently facing its highest inflation rate in decades.
