A lady has stirred mixed reactions on social media after sharing her views on modern-day activism in a viral video, where she introduced a concept she called "Almajiri activism" and referenced popular activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) and human rights advocate Harrison.
In the video, she explained that "Almajiri activism" is a term she created to describe people who publicly fight for the less privileged while allegedly benefiting from the same problems they claim to solve. According to her, some activists use issues such as poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship to gain popularity, build influence, attract donations, and earn income.
She argued that although many activists begin with genuine intentions, activism can gradually become a source of personal gain, public recognition, and financial stability. She described this as a form of performative activism, where advocacy is driven more by personal benefits than by the desire to create lasting change.
Using VeryDarkMan (VDM) as her first example, she noted that he rose from being a content creator to becoming one of Nigeria's most recognised online activists through campaigns focused on public accountability. However, she claimed that critics have accused him of becoming involved in personal disputes and selective activism.
She also referred to the controversy surrounding VDM's NGO in December 2024, when he announced that its website had allegedly been hacked and about ₦180 million had been diverted, leaving only ₦20 million in the account. She recalled that the claim attracted public scepticism after police reportedly said they had no formal record of such a case. According to her, VDM later stated that no money had actually gone missing and that the announcement was a social experiment designed to show how quickly people react to unverified information.
The lady further observed that VDM's lifestyle had changed significantly since becoming a prominent activist, pointing to increased travel and a more comfortable lifestyle. She stressed that her comments were observations rather than direct accusations, saying her concern was that the success of influential activists had encouraged others to enter the same space mainly because of the financial and social rewards attached to it.
According to her, several online creators have abandoned comedy and lifestyle content to focus on exposing scandals and public controversies because such content generates more engagement and advertising revenue on social media platforms. She also claimed that there have been allegations against some online rights campaigners, including charging victims for publicity, benefiting from public donations, or accepting payments to support or attack certain individuals.
As another example, she mentioned human rights activist Harrison, referring to allegations made against him in late 2025 involving claims that he diverted part of ransom money meant for a kidnapped couple. She did not present the allegation as a proven fact but used it to support her broader argument about accountability among activists.
The speaker clarified that her message was not aimed solely at VDM or Harrison. Instead, she argued that many activists begin with sincere intentions but eventually face financial pressures. She claimed that when advocacy becomes a person's primary source of income, it risks shifting from a moral mission to a career driven by sympathy, public outrage, and constant crises.
She also criticised Nigerians for turning activists into celebrities, arguing that public admiration sometimes discourages accountability. According to her, supporters often dismiss criticism of their favourite activists as attacks instead of examining the issues being raised.
Concluding her argument, she claimed that some advocates find it difficult to openly ask for financial support for themselves because of public criticism. As a result, she alleged that they sometimes raise money through the suffering of vulnerable people, using poverty and hardship as a means to attract sympathy and financial assistance.
The video has since generated widespread reactions online, with social media users expressing different opinions. While some agreed with her concerns about transparency and accountability in activism, others defended activists, insisting that many continue to make genuine sacrifices to fight for justice and support vulnerable members of society.
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