What is the obsession with trending? What is the intoxication to be on the lips of everyone? What is the race to be at the centre of controversies? Is it really worth the fuss?
‘Bandwagonsim’, if there's a word like that, is now a pandemic that has eaten deep into the system of the Nigerian entertainment industry. If everyone is doing it, then why shouldn’t I?
Not to mention that the laws of the land back having an opinion. Chapter four, section 39 of the Nigerian constitution states that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
If there’s anything that Nigerian podcasts have offered Nigerians, it is the opportunity to be expressive of their opinions.
Every day, from one podcast to another, people have diverse opinions to share on topical issues ranging from politics and culture to business and entertainment.
However, to what extent do these opinions hold true in terms of accuracy and value, rather than merely serving as tools for social media trends driven by controversy?
Growing trend of podcasts in Nigeria
The explosion of podcasts in Nigeria, particularly in the entertainment industry, has become such that it is accessible to anyone just with a phone and internet connection. Some go the extra mile with ring light and microphone
It does not need any genius to start a podcast show on any topic including conversations that mainstream media do not talk about.
The rise of podcasts is gradually shaping the Nigerian media and entertainment landscape. Whether it is controversial opinions on pop culture, business insights or debates on sex and relationships, one hardly scrolls through social media without a clip popping up.
Before now, podcasts used to be a niche but the opportunities by Anchor and Spotify have given more room for anyone to explore podcasts. The emergence of video podcasts also influenced the wider audience of the podcasting scene in Nigeria.
Many times, hosts and guests of particular commentary podcasts are seen making provocative statements to drive engagement on social media. They often push forward their controversial opinions at the expense of researched facts.
A Spotify report revealed that the podcast listenership in Nigeria grew by 200% between 2021 and 2022. The growth was attributed to the Gen Z generation between the ages of 18 and 24.
The explosion is an indication that it is fuelled by the increasing advancement in technology and social media virality, where short podcast clips trend on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Till date, the trend of podcasts in Nigeria continues to take a huge leap.
Analysing Honest Bunch podcast and VeryDarkMan controversy
Social media has also morphed into a platform that rewards controversy. It has become a place where a ‘controversial statement’ is used as a tool to cause a stampede in the comment sections.
Recently, a controversy broke the internet when an ex-Big Brother housemate Deeone made controversial statements on the popular Honest Bunch Podcast. He alleged that VeryDarKMan was gay.
“VeryDarkMan dey do man. Una know know say VeryDarkMan dey do man?” was all he said in a viral short clip preceding his full interview.
The statement left everyone anticipating the episode. It drove unending conversations across timelines on social media.
The topic of the Honest Bunch podcast episode that featured Deeone and K-Peace was; Reality TV Shows: A Gift or Curse? One may wonder what connection the topic has with VeryDarkMan being gay.
How did Deeone leave the conversation of his reality TV experience to allege that he has evidence of VeryDarkMan’s homosexual activities?
Many of the promotional short clips of the episode centred on Deeone’s controversial statements about VeryDarkMan, Phyna and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
In the heat of the ongoing controversy, the organisers of the podcast issued an official statement to distance themselves from the saga that has pushed Nedu to step down.
It reassured its listeners about its stance on defamation and how it does not influence the opinions of its speakers.
However, I have questions.
Deeone came on the show to share his reality TV experience, why wasn't that part promoted to gear anticipation? Why were the allegations levied against VeryDarkMan put out there without verification?
Can the Honest Bunch Podcast honestly prove that it was not an intentional act to use Deeone’s controversial statements despite the defamatory context?
Nigeria podcast is drowning in controversy
This piece is not to say that podcasting is bad but to question what happened to ‘good podcasts’. In a 2024 article by Emmanuella Olagunju, she opined that podcasting in Nigeria started going wrong when it started becoming entertainment-centred.
There is a consistent trend to drive engagements with controversy and this has reduced the quality of podcasts, especially in the entertainment space.
Yes, Nigerian podcasts are drowning in controversy. I cannot totally blame them because the consumers also have a huge role to play. Controversy has been the order of the day to drive conversations. If it is not controversial, then it is not worth talking about.
These podcasts, lest we forget, are also businesses set out to make a profit and if controversy is the product to sell, why not?
Be that as it may, podcasters must, at all times, strive for accuracy rather than controversy. We know that sometimes entertainment works but it should not come at the expense of the truth.
On the other hand, Nigerians should develop the ability to discern between mere controversy and well-researched conversations. In a world where controversy is the currency to buy popularity, accuracy should be our watchword.
The Honest Bunch Podcast distances self from ex-BBN housemate Deeone, VDM controversy
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the organisers of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Glitch Africa Studios have distanced themselves from the ongoing controversy involving VeryDarkMan and ex-Big Brother Naija's housemate, Deeone.
Deeone had stirred controversy online after he allegedly claimed that Martins Ortse known as VeryDarkMan was into men amongst other allegations.
