If there’s one thing the Nigerian music industry guarantees every year, it’s premium, unpredictable, headline-snatching drama. And 2025 has delivered enough drama to last three seasons. From fiery online battles to shocking lawsuits and family feuds, the year has kept fans glued to their screens with celebrities’ “wahala”. Here are the Top 10 biggest controversies that shook the industry in 2025.
- Spyro vs. Ubi Franklin — The $5,000 Ghana Gig Drama
The year started with fire when singer Spyro accused music executive Ubi Franklin of scamming him with a fake $5,000 Ghana performance. Spyro claimed Ubi used Davido’s name to lure him into the deal, but Ubi fired back saying it was all lies. The story scattered everywhere online, with fans arguing over who was telling the truth. What started as a “small misunderstanding” quickly became a conversation about exploitation in the industry and how rising artists often get played.
- Speed Darlington vs. Burna Boy — Arrest, Detention & Hot Takes
This one started in November 2024, but the wahala matured like palm wine in early 2025.
Speed Darlington was arrested for cyberstalking Burna Boy over “baby oil” Diddy jabs in one of his infamous rants. What should’ve been a simple dragging turned into a months-long detention saga. When he finally came out in January 2025, Speed Darlington didn’t calm down, he promised even more content. His case sparked the hot debate: Where is the line between free speech and defamation?
- Jude Okoye’s EFCC Case — P-Square Legacy Shaken
February came with a bombshell: the EFCC arraigned Jude Okoye for allegedly laundering over ₦1.38 billion in royalties using ghost accounts. It was the kind of plot twist no one saw coming. The case brought back old memories of the P-Square split and raised big questions about how record labels handle artists’ money. Jude pleaded not guilty, but the story definitely shook the family’s legacy and caused plenty of online fights.
- Timi Dakolo vs. Pastor Femi Lazarus — Gospel Pricing Wahala
Who knew gospel pricing could trend this hard? Pastor Femi Lazarus called out gospel artistes for charging “ridiculous fees” to minister. But Timi Dakolo didn’t take it lightly, he clapped back with screenshots of the pastor’s own $150 ministry school charges, fueling a viral hypocrisy clash in faith-based music. The internet quickly turned it into a lesson on “who is really selling ministry?”
- Mercy Chinwo vs. VeryDarkMan — Defamation, Lawsuit & Bench Warrant
Gospel star Mercy Chinwo took things to the courtroom after VeryDarkMan accused her of diverting money from her former label. She filed a ₦1.1 billion lawsuit, and the police even issued a bench warrant when the online activist and whistleblower, VeryDarkMan didn’t show up in court. The drama divided the gospel community: some said Mercy was protecting her name, others said VDM should be free to speak. One thing was clear that this was one of the biggest gospel scandals in years.
- Asake & His Father — Family Matters in the Spotlight
In March, a video of a sick elderly man identified as Asake’s father, Fatai Odunsi, pleading for help, went viral. Fans went wild with accusations, but the story ended on a soft note. Asake reconciled with his father, promised to handle his medical bills, and even offered housing. Before the peace, though, social media was on fire with hot takes about celebrity responsibility and family entitlement.
- Iyabo Ojo & the Mohbad WhatsApp Group Accusation
The Mohbad case returned to the spotlight in July when VeryDarkMan released allegations about a WhatsApp group supposedly created to attack Naira Marley. Actress Iyabo Ojo was dragged into the mess as leaked screenshots and videos caused fresh protests and online fights. It revived all the emotions from 2023 and blurred the line between activism, clout, and conspiracy.
- Headies 2025 — Delays, Snubs & Award Trouble
The Headies 2025 ceremony was meant to be a celebration, but instead it brought chaos. From over two-hour delays to reports of missing award plaques, fans didn’t hold back. Snubs of acts like Ayra Starr and a surprisingly smooth sweep for Davido sparked claims of bias. By the next morning, #HeadiesMess was trending everywhere, calling for reforms.
- Portable — Arrest, Court Conditions & Street King Reputation
April came with another round of Portable drama. After insulting Fuji icon Saheed Osupa during an Instagram Live, Portable ended up arrested and briefly remanded in prison. He came out on bail, but the drama again reminded everyone that Portable lives in his own reality show. Fans were split between “free the street king” and “actions have consequences.”
- Odumodublvck vs. Blaqbonez — Rap Beef of the Year
From June to October, the rap scene belonged to Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez. Diss tracks, leaked DMs, subliminal shots; the beef had everything. Fans picked sides, rappers reacted, and the whole hip-hop community debated what makes a rapper “authentic” in 2025. It was messy, loud, and absolutely entertaining.
Undoubtedly, 2025 gave us music, but it also gave us premium drama. And if this year’s controversies are anything to go by, the Nigerian music industry will always give us something to talk about.