Nigeria, as we all know, is a conservative nation like many other African countries, where religious teachings and practices are considered sacred and have been so since the dawn of time. Nigerians do not tolerate same-sex unions, homosexual men, lesbian women, bisexual people, or male cross-dressers. These practices are highly unacceptable in Nigeria.
As stated earlier, anything forbidden by the teachings of both Islam and Christianity is considered taboo and must not be tampered with. These two major faiths in Nigeria play significant roles in the lives of the citizens, with the third being traditional religion. Outside the boundaries of religion, developing romantic feelings or engaging in intimate relationships with one’s own gender is also seen as being against the laws of nature, let alone entering into a marital union between two men or two women.
Same-sex couples do exist in Nigeria, but they can only survive under adverse conditions and hostile environments. The same applies to bisexual and transgender individuals and cross-dressers like Bobrisky. In certain places, most especially in the Northern region, they live in fear and die in silence, a fact the country is ironically proud of.
Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju popularly known as Bobrisky, is seen as a social media personality and influencer who became a media sensation shortly after creating what he called the “Bobrisky Dance” in 2021. Social media users, especially on TikTok and Instagram, started addressing him as Bobrisky or Mama Lagos due to his lifestyle of wearing make-up, dressing as a woman, and referring to himself as such.
It was reported that Bobrisky began his cross-dressing career after graduating from university and facing serious financial struggles. Initially, Bobrisky chose cross-dressing as a way to promote and boost sales of his products as a short-term goal.
Bobrisky was born in Lagos on 31st August 1991 and hails from Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State. His father, Alhaji Musibau Okuneye, a husband to three wives, passed away in August 2023. His mother, Alhaja Bollington, is still alive. He completed his secondary education at Okota High School in Lagos and later graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in accounting.
The cross-dresser Bobrisky is a highly controversial figure for several reasons, first and foremost for choosing to identify as a woman despite being biologically male. But this life-altering decision is not exactly what caused a stir in Lagos and beyond.
On August 19, 2020, Bobrisky responded to a fan’s question on Instagram about why he chose to become a woman. His reply was, “Because a lot of men act like he-goats.” This statement prompted a backlash from Instagram users, especially men, who denounced him and launched a wave of cyberattacks. Among the standout responses was one user who branded Bobrisky “a she-goat breed that never existed before,” while another called him “a risky human being.” I could not agree more.
As per reports, the stage name “Bobrisky” actually came from his father addressing him as “Bobo,” while the “risky” part originated from a dance move the cross-dresser referred to as the “risky dance” in a Snapchat video. After all, Bobrisky is an extremely risky individual, which is precisely why he easily makes life-altering decisions in the blink of an eye.
Bobrisky had already conquered Snapchat before TikTok even realized what was going on. Posting videos with heavy make-up, expensive gold chains, sharp lips, and long nails, he started giving out skin-lightening online lessons, advertising products, and sharing opinions on sensitive issues. With Bobrisky, it wasn’t just the cross-dressing; it was the attitude. His posts are sometimes sarcastic, like “Good morning to my haters.” Speaking of life-altering decisions, he addressed himself sometimes as “she,” other times as “he,” and never bothered to explain. If you didn’t get it, to him, it was clear that it was your problem.
By 2016, Bobrisky had exploded into a full-time celebrity. Young Nigerians, especially those tired of societal expectations and moral values, loved him madly, while those who valued modesty hated him deeply. There was no middle ground or in-between. Bobrisky has been “dragged” more times than a faulty generator. Yet somehow, every time, he comes back with more followers, more drama, more luxury cars, and even longer nails and wigs.
Legal Issues
In April 2024, Bobrisky was arrested by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) for “abuse of naira.” Essentially, he was caught on video spraying money during a party, an act that the government now considers a crime. His arrest divided opinions: many people thought it was unfair to arrest him for spraying the naira currency at a party, while many others felt it served him right.
In October 2024, he was reportedly arrested again by Nigerian Immigration while trying to cross the Seme border. Then, in April 2025, he claimed online that he was detained again after returning from a trip abroad.
Some religious leaders, activists, and government officials have publicly condemned Bobrisky’s lifestyle, stating that it promotes immorality. But Bobrisky, without any delay, fires back at them every time, calling them hypocrites and jealous individuals.
Lifestyle
Bobrisky enjoys sharing his expensive and lavish lifestyle through his social media handles. He posts videos of expensive cars, gold and diamond bangles, extravagant costumes, and lively parties. As a male, he’s been noted for being best-dressed as a female at events. He’s also been banned from some shows. At times, he has appeared in music videos; at other times, he disappears entirely, only to resurface with a new face, a new look, and new controversy. Bobrisky has clashed with many other celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh and the journalist “Very Dark Man.”
Bobrisky’s Influence on a Generation
Bobrisky changed the Nigerian internet. Before him, nobody ever dared to cross certain lines and boundaries so openly. Now, many younger influencers, as they call themselves, both male and female, follow in his footsteps whether in dressing, boldness, or monetizing controversy. Young Nigerians struggling with their identity, sexuality, or simply societal pressure often say Bobrisky helped them “be free,” even if just in secret.
Skin-bleaching is another issue that earned Bobrisky heavy criticism. Many have accused him of promoting dangerous beauty standards and glorifying artificial enhancement. But again, Bobrisky doesn’t argue. He simply posts another sarcastic response in a video with the caption: “I’m not your role model.”
His Struggles
Everybody will continue in a state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. Yes, that’s Newton’s Third Law of Motion. And everybody has their breaking point. This isn’t Newton’s law, but the law of nature, so not even a Bobrisky can break that. From time to time, in between the selfies and flexing, Bobrisky hints at loneliness. He posts things like “even the strongest have their breaking points.” Sometimes, he deletes all his posts, only to come back again.
Risky is many things to some, a clown; to others, a trailblazer. To many Nigerians, he is a walking question mark. But one thing nobody can deny is his impact, he made people look, talk, argue, protest, and many times, laugh till their stomachs hurt. And in a country where conformity is a constant, that in itself is his greatest crime. As of today, Bobrisky is still trending, still posting, still triggering, and wearing make-up and expensive costumes, displaying a lavish lifestyle that captivates his devotees.
So, in all, when you consider the whole drama surrounding Bobrisky, whether from the perspective of his loud fashion sense, his jail sagas, his changing faces, or the profound confusion about who he truly is, Bobrisky might not be everybody’s cup of tea; it is as simple as that. But one can’t just pretend he never existed. The story of the Nigerian internet cannot be completed without him. At the end of everything, when we truly sit down and think about all that Bobrisky has done and become, it’s hard to deny that he has left a permanent mark. Not just on social media feeds or tabloid headlines, but on the entire landscape of how people view freedom, identity, and even rebellion in Nigeria. Yes, he says things that don’t always make sense. The drama is often too much and feels like it never stops. Yet, amidst all that, he keeps coming back after every insult, every scandal, every controversy, and every arrest or online fight. Somehow, he still shows up, seemingly unbothered, or perhaps just pretending not to be. That kind of consistency, even if loud or flawed, still speaks volumes, something strong and disturbing.
While Bobrisky continues to see himself as a trailblazer promoting self-expression and individuality, which is far from the case to many. However, to many, what Bobrisky is promoting isn’t self-expression; it’s materialism, accompanied by his ever-annoying attention-seeking behavior. Similarly, they don’t regard him as a role model, even though many of his fans hail him to be. His flamboyant approach to life challenges some African values, cultural norms, and ethics.
