Nigerian comedian and reality TV star, Aderombi Adedayo, popularly known as DeeOne, has stirred controversy after accusing veteran singer Olu Maintain of contributing to Nigeria’s negative image abroad.
Speaking on the Echo Room Podcast, DeeOne recalled how Olu Maintain’s 2007 hit song “Yahooze” glamorized internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, and allegedly encouraged young Nigerians to see it as a legitimate lifestyle.
According to him, before the release of Yahooze, internet fraud was considered shameful even among those who engaged in it. However, the popularity of the track and its accompanying dance changed the perception, turning fraud into something openly celebrated.
“Do you know Olu Maintain, as great as he is, contributed to giving Nigeria a bad name? Many years ago, 419 was a shameful thing. People doing it could not even come out publicly. Then Olu Maintain dropped Yahooze, and suddenly, the whole country started celebrating. Young boys were inspired by it, and Yahoo Yahoo became an accepted profession in Nigeria,” DeeOne said.
He further argued that the glorification of fraud culture has had long-lasting consequences, noting that Nigerians now suffer stigmatization globally due to the reputation of widespread internet scams.
“If we are complaining about this country today, Olu Maintain will probably blame the government. But the truth is, he contributed to the suffering Nigerians face now. When you travel abroad, people see you and immediately think of fraud,” DeeOne added.
