₦airaland Forum

They can say all this because there is no push back by non-muslims.

Osariemen12:
Who be this Ishowspeed sef wey wan make una mad?

To the topic, begging is part of the Yoruba and Islamic culture, and we must embrace it in our own territory having both cultures blended in one territory. He was not the only one Nigerians begged for money - Tinubu, Zuckerberg and the rest had been begged for money before now and heaven did not fall.

Let him rest abeg.

You are missing the core issue, and it is about perception.

A nation’s reputation matters. Countries people avoid are usually not avoided only because they are poor, but because the image they project suggests chaos, insecurity, or dysfunction. On the other hand, countries people rush to visit are often those that have deliberately reformed how they present themselves to the world.

Rwanda is a clear example. After the genocide, Rwanda intentionally rebuilt its image. Today it is known for safety, order, tech, transport, and forward-thinking leadership. As a result, people want to visit, invest, and do business there. Image reform changed real economic outcomes.

This discussion is also not about Ishowspeed as an individual. It is about his audience. He has millions of young viewers across the world. What they saw in Nigeria will shape how they think about the country for many years. First impressions last, especially for young people.

When a country is constantly seen as a place where visitors are begged, harassed, or exploited, people do not separate “culture” from outcome. They simply choose not to engage. That means fewer tourists, fewer investors, and less respect for our citizens abroad.

This post is written out of concern, not hate. Nigeria keeps missing chances to show itself in a good light.

When Ishowspeed visited Nigeria, it should have been a big win for the country. Instead, he was begged for money almost everywhere he went. Compared to his visits to other African countries, where his movements were planned and guided, the Nigerian stream was chaotic and poorly organised. With tens of millions of people watching live and billions seeing clips later, this was a lost opportunity.

Sadly, this is not a one-off issue. Begging has become normal and is now even used as content. There is an influencer in Lekki and other rich areas of Lagos who spots luxury cars and shouts about how there is money in Lagos just to get drivers to stop. Once they do, he begs for money. Many people give him something, and he has gained popularity from it.

Even more worrying is that this behaviour has entered public institutions. At international airports, some security officers ask travellers for money. For many visitors, this is their first experience of Nigeria, and it leaves a bad impression.

This matters because reputation brings money. Countries with a good image attract tourists, investors, and buyers of their music, films, art, and other products. Nigeria has great talent, but people judge what they see. When the image they see is begging and disorder, they are less willing to engage with us.

A bad reputation leads to fewer tourists, stricter visas, and constant suspicion of Nigerians abroad.

This is not about blaming poor people. It is about understanding that when begging is accepted and encouraged, it hurts the country in the long run. If Nigeria wants respect and economic growth, we must take our public behaviour and national image more seriously.