Fools, Memes, and Rapper's Joy

The Power of Social Media in Shaping Public Discourse

In the second week of November 2025, two significant events unfolded that highlighted the transformative role of social media in shaping public discourse and agenda setting. These incidents not only validated the importance of engaging with digital platforms but also underscored their ability to challenge traditional narratives and influence public perception.

A Confrontation That Went Viral

On Tuesday, 11 November 2025, a heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, over an alleged illegal construction on a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja, captured the attention of millions. The incident was recorded on amateur cellphone videos and quickly spread across social media platforms, becoming a viral sensation. Unlike traditional government-owned media outlets, which would likely avoid broadcasting such raw and unfiltered content, social media allowed the video to circulate freely, offering a glimpse into the dynamics of power and authority.

The video clip forced a paradigm shift in how citizens perceive government officials and security personnel. It also sparked a wave of comedic memes across various platforms, including X, TikTok, Reels, and WhatsApp. These memes, often enhanced by AI image manipulators, depicted the incident in a humorous yet critical light, highlighting the tension and dialogue between the two parties. The humor made the event accessible, but beneath the surface, it reflected a clear public demand for restraint from officials and appreciation for professional conduct by security forces.

This incident marked a significant shift in how public meaning is constructed. Historically, such confrontations were interpreted through newspapers, radio, and television, carefully curated to avoid offending government sensibilities. However, in this case, the first wave of meaning-making was done by ordinary users on social media, demonstrating how authority over public discourse has shifted from institutional media to decentralized, user-generated commentary.

The Rise of Hausa Rap and Viral Hits

In the same month, the world witnessed the rise of OG Abbah, a rapper originally from Maiduguri but raised in Abuja, who shattered the Hausaphone music sphere with his hit song "Wayyo Allah Na." Despite being released on February 8, 2025, the song initially went unnoticed. However, OG Abbah persisted, posting the song every single day for over 220 days. His efforts paid off when Blackchully, a tattooed female performer from Jos with 10.5 million followers, mimed the song, providing him with massive free exposure.

By November 2025, the song had become a viral hit of the year, particularly for its second verse, which includes lines like:

Samu ku?in ka kawai ka kashe / Kar ka bari su kashe maka / Sanda ka ke name ba mai taya maka / Ruwa na dukan ka su kuwa suna ?aka / In baka ci ba, su ci maka / Kai da kudin ka kana haka / Abu ma sai an saya maka?

Accompanied by profanity, these lines serve more as an exclamation than as suggestive content. The heartfelt message of the song, "claim your success," resonated deeply with listeners, creating a personal connection that political songs often fail to achieve.

The main clip of this verse, danced by OG Abbah and a group of friends, received 13 million likes, while the song itself generated over 500,000 streams on music platforms between October and November 2025. The success of "Wayyo Allah Na" led to dance challenges spanning Africa to Europe, with one video featuring a Santa Claus in full regalia dancing to the track in a European town square. Another video showcased twin Muslim girls miming the words to the verse, stopping at the profanity line.

The song's popularity drew the attention of prominent figures in the Nigerian Afrobeats scene, including Mr. Eazi, Peller, Magnito, and Sabinus. Even established rappers from the North, like BOC Madaki, collaborated with OG Abbah to remix the song. OG Abbah is now set to collaborate with Mr. Eazi in Lagos for a Christmas single.

Emerging Voices in Northern Music

Another notable figure in the music scene is Rumasa'u Adamu Muhammad, known as Rumerh. She is strategically positioning herself as a cross-genre artist, blending Hausa language with Afrobeats and Amapiano. Her raw Hip-Hop beats and witty lyrics, as seen in her song "Streibullet," reflect a negotiation of local identity and global modernity.

From a feminist perspective, her success signals a growing presence of female voices in Northern Nigerian music. Alongside OG Abbah, she has reignited interest in 'Aboki Music,' previously confined to Hausa film soundtracks and political songs. Singing in Hausa, mixed with Enghausa and international beats, these artists are paving the way for Hausa music to be categorized as 'World Music' on platforms like Apple Music, alongside legends such as Ali Farka Toure and Salif Keita.