Bobrisky's Inlucence on Nigerian Youth: For Good or For Evil
Yemi Olakitan
Bobrisky is one of the most controversial figures in Nigeria. He is Nigeria’s foremost transgender and crossdresser in one of the most religious nations in the world. She is a rebel against Nigeria’s religious and cultural norms, with millions of followers hanging on her every post. Bobrisky is a social media powerhouse and a lightning rod for controversy in Nigeria, with a massive influence on her followers. He has even been dubbed ‘Mummy of Lagos.’
This transgender man, born Idris Olanrewaju, has become a complex symbol with her Nigerian LGBTQ+ identity. Her journey began with a focus on skin-lightening cream, but Bobrisky's transformation extended far beyond that.
Over time, she transitioned from occasional cross-dressing to a fully realized trans identity, challenging rigid Nigerian social and religious norms in the process.
Early this year, Bobrisky described his transition into a woman as ‘smooth’. Sharing a picture via his Instagram page, Bobrisky expressed happiness with the transition, saying that he had no health issues during the surgery procedure.
In the Instagram photo, Bobrisky expressed gratitude to his medical staff in Nigeria and abroad for their assistance in easing his transition into femininity.
“My journey transitioning into a woman has been going smooth, no health issues, everything is going smooth for me. I want to say thank you to all my doctors, both at home and abroad. You all did an amazing job with my body,” he wrote.
In an interview with Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy on social media, Bobrisky disclosed why he decided to be a woman after being born a man. Bobrisky said he opted to transform his gender after realizing that he would do better as a woman.
He also emphasized this in a lengthy post on his Instagram page. He described himself as the sexiest trans person on earth. On why he chose Bobrisky as a name, he explained that he took a lot of risks, going under several knives and still living to be a woman today.
Bobrisky attended both King's High School and Okota High School for his secondary school education and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos. She became recognized for not adhering to conservative Nigerian standards. Bobrisky was able to garner traffic to his Snapchat account when he claimed he had a lover who is assumed to be of masculine gender despite the law in Nigeria stating that same sex relationships is an offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. However, apart from suggestions here and there, no one had concrete evidence that Bobrisky is a homosexual individual.
On 8 July 2021, she revealed a new physical appearance after undergoing surgery to become more feminine.
Nigerian presidential aide Bashir Ahmad reportedly walked out of a premises after sighting Bobrisky within the residence. In 2019, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of Nigeria's National Council for Arts and Culture, called Bobrisky "a national disgrace" and said she would be "dealt with ruthlessly" if caught on the streets.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa said Bobrisky was the most searched individual in Nigeria from 26 October to November 2016. Bobrisky has also been associated with other Nigerian celebrities such as Tonto Dikeh.
Recently, Nigerian social media was abuzz with the controversy surrounding Bobrisky when she was awarded "Best Dressed Female" at a movie premiere, sparking outrage and accusations of a publicity stunt.
This inspired singer Portable to produce a song in which he suggested that Bobrisky should be stoned to death because, according to Portable, he had no right to change from brotherhood to sisterhood. The song quickly garnered massive listenership on streaming platforms.
This incident highlights Nigerian attitude towards LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria. It shows that there will always be conflicts around individuals who profess themselves to be cross dresser, gay or transgender or seems to walk in that path.
While Bobrisky faced swift legal action for allegedly mutilating Naira notes, similar accusations against powerful figures often go unchecked. In fact, the spraying of Naira notes is a culture associated with ‘Owambe’ parties in Nigeria. Nearly every tribe in Nigeria practice the spraying of Naira notes at parties. The culture is as old as the Nigerian Naira.
Bobrisky was arrested for allegedly defacing naira banknotes on April 2024, following an investigation by the EFCC. The charges stemmed from social media videos showing her throwing money in the air at a film premiere the previous month. Bobrisky pleaded guilty to four counts of currency abuse on April 5, 2024. The maximum penalty for this offense is six months in prison. On April 12, 2024 Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison with no option of fine over the "abuse and mutilation the Naira notes".
In an interview with Ms Temitayo Olumofe, on air personality at Smailz Radio, she said, ‘‘the treatment given to Borisky was unfair and cannot be fair. It’s all because of her lifestyle,, which is not in conformity with our culture, religion and morality. Cubana Chief Priest who was accused of the same offense said he was not guilty, and he was granted a bail option of N10million while Bobrisky with the same offence was jailed without an option of a fine and for what offense? Spraying of Naira notes! It happens every weekend in Nigeria. In fact, the EFFC must arrest all Nigerians! Spraying Naira notes is our culture.’’
‘‘If they want to arrest her for cross dressing or homosexuality, they should have said so. The judiciary should be honest with itself. I think the Government was looking for an excuse to jail Bobrisky.’’
Nigeria is a deeply religious country and Bobrisky’s lifestyle is unacceptable in Nigerian society. Estimates say that roughly half the population of Nigeria is Muslim, and the other half is Christian. There's also a small percentage who follow traditional religions and they are as morally indoctrinated as the Muslim and Christian religious faiths.
Religion plays a significant role in Nigerian life. You'll find many mosques and churches throughout the country. Religious moralities are important to Nigerian culture and family lives. Islam is dominant in the north-west and north-east regions while Christianity is dominant in the southwest, southeast, and South-South regions. Hence, Bobrisky lifestyle will not be celebrated in Nigerian communities.
According to Modupe Olalere, a technology writer, there is a kind of general resentment against Bobrisky in Nigeria. ‘‘Many Nigerians just tolerate him. Bobrisky should have left Nigeria to the United States or some other country where such lifestyles are acceptable. He should have known that Nigeria would never accept him as a woman,’’ she said.
What Religious Leaders say
Pastor joseph Sylvester, of the Living Faith Church, winners Chapel, Luasada-Agbara, Ogun State, said, ‘Bubrisky’s lifestyle is not welcome in Nigeria. It may be acceptable in other countries but not in Nigeria. It is also not acceptable in Christianity. The Bible completely condemns men who dress up as women or women who dress up as men. The Bible also speak against homosexual lifestyles, so it is culturally and biblically unacceptable.
The Pastor Quoted Deuteronomy 22:5, which says, “A woman shall not wear a man’s apparel, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whoever does such things is abhorrent to the LORD your God,”and In Leviticus 18: 22, ‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination, and’’ Leviticus 20: 13, it says, ‘If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.’’
Speaking further Pastor Joseph said, ‘‘this kind of behavior usually starts from home. The family is the most important unit in the society when it comes to morality. It is the family that will first mold a child before he is presented to the society at large. So, everything you see in the life of Bobrisky must have started from the home setting. It’s from the home and family setting. This is why parents and guardians ought to be very vigilant to watch what their wards are into. Parents must be vigilant and watchful.’’
On the solutions to the problem, Pastor Joseph said, ‘‘the solution to such lifestyle is prayer and counselling. You also need to feed such individuals with the word of God because homosexuality and cross-dressing are spirits, and they are ideologies. Only the word of God and prayer can deliver such individuals.’
‘‘Sending them to jail is not the solution because the lifestyle will continue in jail. Jail term does not stop anything. People have sex in prison. People have babies in prison. People commit crimes in prison, so how do we think that jail terms will change people like Bobrisky?’’
‘‘Talking about Nigerian Prisons, our prisons hardened people more. Our prison does not serve correctional purposes.’’
‘‘It’s in his mind, it’s an ideology and a spirit. It is only the Word and prayers that can change,’ ‘he said.
In another Interview with an Islamic cleric, Mohamed Rahim, Opeyemi also known as Alfa Aiyeopeyo at Dopemu, Agege, he spoke with a mixture of Arabic and Yoruba language, he said, ‘‘Islam completely condemns Bobrisky’s behaviour. It is a kind of lifestyle that will turn a person to an enemy of Almighty Allah. The cleric quoted many Quranic verses, reciting them, passionately in Arabic rendition. He explained these verses condemn Bobrisky’s character traits in the strongest language. According to him, the only reward of such a person is hellfire. cannot make paradise.
‘‘Bobrisky is telling Almighty Allah that he did not create him well and if you do that to God, you cannot retain the friendship of God. However, we are human beings, and we are not the ones who created Bobrisky. No man can apportion fire for another man on earth. Judgement belongs to Almighty Allah,’’
‘‘There are no leaves that fall to the ground without the knowledge of Almighty Allah. What that means is that what Bobrisky is doing is not without the knowledge of God, Allah is aware. It could be that God wants to use him as an example for others, so that people can learn. Nobody can fight for God. Anyone trying to fight for God is wasting his time. It’s our right though to advise people like Bobrisky. If God allows him to listen and change, fine but if he does not, it should be between him and God. No man can judge for God and say this fellow is going to hell fire only Almighty Allah can do that.
‘‘We can only learn from the Holy Quran, and we know that some people were destroyed because of that kind of lifestyle in the Quran. What we can do to Bobrisky is talk to her and advise her.’’
Concerning her case with the EFCC, the Islamic cleric said, ‘‘the offence for which Bobrisky was arrested and prosecuted is just an excuse in my opinion. It’s like calling a monkey a thief to roast him. He could have been given the option of a fine. I believe the government has been looking for an opportunity to arrest her. It’s because they wanted to punish her, so they closed their eyes, which is wrong. The judgement for people like Bobsrisky should not be in man's hands. It’s in the hands of God. Taking to prison is worse because Bob can further corrupt those in prison, which means that lifestyle n will continue to thrive. The judgement for people like this is not in the hands of man.’’
‘‘Another important point is that there are many unknown Bobriskys in Nigeria. It’s because Bobrisky is a popular figure, that is why everyone seems to talk about her. Everyone sees her as a bad person, but there are many worst characters in secret and in our midst. Don’t forget that I said earlier that Islam does not support her lifestyle, but Islam did not put the judgements of a crossdresser in our hands and even’’ he said.
Bobrisky’s Influence on the Youths
In an interview, digital marketing expert Seun Babalola said, ‘‘Bobrisky is a figure of debate when it comes to influence on Nigerian youths, and there are many concerns.’’
According to him, Bobrisky has more than five million followers on social media who look up to him as a role model, which is huge. If you go to the Island now, people are having gay parties these days, which is contrary to Nigerian culture; rich men’s children come from abroad and organize gay parties. So, if Bobrisky’s lifestyle is not discouraged, young people will see it as the way to go.
‘‘His lifestyle clashes with Nigeria's conservative social norms and religious beliefs. His gender presentation is seen as going against tradition. Bobrisky's social media presence often showcases wealth and a luxurious lifestyle. This can be interpreted to mean that hard work is not the way and that Bobrisky’s lifestyle is the way, and I really do not see Bobrisky as the problem. Bobrisky is a product of the Nigerian society.
‘‘We are so religious, yet we allow pornography to thrive. The Federal Government needs to act. Pornography is so freely accessible in this country. Children as old as 9 years old have a smartphone, and they can access pornography freely. This sexual content also includes homosexuality. The government needs to take charge of Nigeria’s internet’s space so that immoral sexual content can be replaced with educational, moral, and uplifting ones.’’
‘‘There is going to be epidemic of homosexuals, transgenders, and cross dressers in the next generation, if the government fails to act and protect our internet space from pornography. These days you cannot differentiate Facebook, Twitter, Instagram from pornographic sites because you may be on this social media app and be doing something meaningful or worthwhile and you click something, what will pup up is a pornographic a video.’’
‘‘Success can be attributed to Bobrisky’s online persona rather than hard work; this will discourage youths from pursuing educational paths to achievement. Social media is full of diverse influences, and young people need to develop critical thinking skills to navigate online content.’’
Before her arrest, Bobrisky revealed how she made her contemporary, James Brown, who he is today. Speaking during a live session she had with Ifedayo Olamide also known as Daddy Freze Bobrisky also reacted to claims that she always clashes with people she calls friends.
Bobrisky said: "This James Brown they are shouting, I made James Brown who he is today. I would say it anywhere. I posted James Brown on my page when everyone condemned him, calling him all sorts of names. That was when he just came out. I was the person that asked him to come to my house, I gave him money. It is fine if he is who he is today. It is normal. Like I said, people that are coming close to me are all coming for the same thing. They want the fame, they want the money, they want to use you, so the moment you are aware that I don’t want to be used anymore, they start fighting you, start having issues with you.”
James Brown responded: "Bobrisky never made me, she gave me 100,000 Naira which was needed when my father was trying to raise money to get me released from prison. I have people who did more than that for me."
James Brown said he got a call from Bobrisky, who accused him of stealing her content ideas and told him to stop all his social media posts immediately. Brown said Bobrisky also threatened his life. James Brown reiterated that his type of content differs greatly from Bobrisky's, and he is in no way trying to copy her.
Bobrisky Wrote: “We know how to deal with those tiny rat clout chasing… wait guys them go do video for cell to beg. Watch out!!! If you don’t have money for case don’t go and find trouble. Na for inside cell you go treat that your HIV with wide mouth. Shebi your mouth Sharp wait.”
James said: “Let me tell you guys something. I’m unbreakable. Nothing can break me. If they deactivate my Instagram page, I will change to YouTube. If YouTube does the same, I’ll switch to Twitter, Snapchat or Tik-Tok. Nothing can break me down,”.
James Brown and Papaya Ex had crossed paths with Bobrisky at an event where she angrily threw a bottle in their way. It turned out that both crossdressers were invited as special guests to attend an event and Papaya ex, who happens to be one of the most prominent social media influencers, also graced the event as a special guest.
Reacting to the incident, James took to his Instagram page to share a video from a different perspective while stating his reasons for doing so. According to James Brown, the intention was to bid the old queen farewell as the dawn of the new queen begins. "I needed to greet our Ex Queen a good fare well because I’m now the new Queen of African,” he wrote in a post. In another post, he added, “If you know me well you should know that I’m always supporting my friends, family and fans i don’t fight.”
James and Papaya who appear seemingly unbothered over Bobrisky's actions continued dancing while the latter walked away. Responding to Bobrisky's Video, Papaya also posted a video on Instagram, calling Bobrisky a liar, she also threatened to beat Bobrisky even if it means going to prison.
It appears from the reported altercation between Bobrisky and James Brown that a mentor and a protégé are quarrelling because the protégé didn’t want to accept that Bobrisky mentored him at one time. Who says Bobrisky’s influence is not impacting Nigeria’s culture?
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