When global content creator IShowSpeed touched down in Lagos as part of his Africa tour, expectations were high. With tens of millions of followers and a livestream audience running into the millions, Nigeria had a rare opportunity to showcase its culture, creativity and everyday life to a worldwide audience in real time. What followed, however, has become one of the most talked-about moments in Nigeria’s online space in recent years less for celebration and more for reflection.
As Speed moved through parts of Lagos, his livestream captured large crowds of street beggars, aggressive demands for money, unrestrained “area boys,” traffic disorder, visible filth in public spaces, and weak crowd control. At several points, his movement was disrupted by people clinging to his vehicle, shouting, pushing and attempting to extract cash or attention. These moments were clipped, shared and replayed across global social media platforms, instantly placing Nigeria under an unfiltered international spotlight.
What stung many Nigerians was not mockery from Speed who repeatedly expressed excitement and curiosity about Nigeria but the raw visibility of long-standing problems many citizens have grown accustomed to or learned to ignore. In the days following his departure, social media timelines were flooded with regret, anger and honest self-critique. Many Nigerians admitted that the livestream did not misrepresent the country; rather, it mirrored uncomfortable realities.
The backlash intensified when viewers compared Speed’s experience in Lagos with his visits to other countries on the same tour. In those locations, audiences observed better crowd management, cleaner streets, less harassment, smoother mobility and more deliberate cultural showcases. Speed was able to interact calmly with locals, enjoy street performances without intimidation, and move freely without being overwhelmed. The contrast was unavoidable and painful.
For many Nigerians, the conversation quickly moved beyond a single influencer’s visit to a broader national issue. Street begging, once associated mainly with survival and extreme poverty, is now increasingly viewed as organized, territorial and commercialized in urban centres like Lagos. Citizens pointed out that beggars often have fixed “posts,” operate in groups, and aggressively pursue targets, including tourists and public figures. Others highlighted how unemployment, lack of social welfare, poor urban planning and weak law enforcement have allowed these practices to thrive unchecked.
Equally troubling was the role of public behaviour. Analysts and commentators noted that disorderly conduct ignoring traffic laws, crowding visitors, tolerating street harassment and neglecting public hygiene cannot be blamed solely on government failure. Many argued that citizen responsibility has eroded, with lawlessness becoming normalized and even defended as hustle or survival.
The emotional weight of the debate was captured in a widely shared sentiment: “We begged, we harassed, we embarrassed ourselves on a global stage.” For a country that regularly complains about negative international narratives, Speed’s visit exposed a difficult truth: image is shaped as much by everyday conduct as by policy or PR campaigns.
Yet amid the criticism, many Nigerians insist the moment should not be wasted. Civil society voices, creatives and urban advocates argue that the incident presents a rare opportunity for reform-focused conversation one grounded in evidence rather than denial.
The Way Forward
Experts and commentators propose several urgent steps. First is serious urban management, including enforced laws against street harassment, begging syndicates and traffic disorder, paired with humane social interventions for the genuinely vulnerable. Second is youth empowerment, addressing unemployment through skills training, creative industry support and small-business financing, rather than allowing desperation to spill onto the streets. Third is civic re-orientation, reviving public education on respect for public spaces, visitors and the rule of law.
There are also calls for better planning when hosting global figures, including structured itineraries, crowd control teams and collaboration with local communities to showcase culture without chaos. Most importantly, Nigerians are being urged to look inward recognizing that national reputation is built daily by individual choices.
In the end, IShowSpeed’s Lagos visit did not damage Nigeria’s image it held up a mirror. Whether the country chooses to look away or take responsibility may determine how the world sees Nigeria the next time the cameras are rolling.
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