Lagos, Nigeria – December 4, 2025 – Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Ayo “AY” Makun has once again set the internet ablaze with a single post that cuts deep into the heart of celebrity friendships, loyalty, and the toxic side of social media clout-chasing.
On Wednesday, December 3, AY took to X with a stark warning: “Beware of anyone who calls you a friend yet rushes to jump on any negative news about you just to trend and gain monetization. Not everyone around you wishes you well. May God protect us from friends who are truly enemies in disguise. Their karma is never far.”
Within minutes, the post exploded, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and sparking heated conversations across Nigerian Twitter. Many saw it as a timely reminder in an era where bad news spreads faster than good, and where some “friends” in the industry are quick to amplify scandals for engagement and ad revenue.
But the tweet didn’t stay philosophical for long.
An X user swiftly replied with a personal accusation, claiming that back in 2008 or 2009, he had met AY in Surulere, Lagos. According to him, AY handed him a business card and told him to call. When he did, only a personal assistant kept picking up and brushing him off. The user went further, dragging AY’s mentor, comedy legend Alibaba, into the mix: “If Alibaba treat you as you treat others, you for no dey where you dey today. Beware of yourself.”
The shade was thick, and the timeline was public.
AY didn’t let it slide. He responded almost immediately, shutting down the story with facts: “In 2008 I had no PA. I was still building myself and my brand. What you mentioned about Alibaba cannot count against me in this country, if truly you are in the business of Standup comedy in Nigeria. Facts don’t lie.”
For those familiar with AY’s journey, the response made sense. In the late 2000s, he was still grinding — performing at small events, running corporate gigs, and slowly climbing the ladder with the help of Alibaba, who discovered him and gave him major platforms early in his career. Having a personal assistant answering calls at that stage would have been out of character for the hustling comedian he was then.
As the back-and-forth gained traction, another user dropped what quickly became the most quoted line in the entire thread: “Let me simplify it. Avoid friends and acquaintances like Daddy Freeze.”
The single sentence sent the comment section into overdrive. Daddy Freeze, the controversial on-air personality known for his sharp tongue and unapologetic takes on celebrity scandals, has long been accused by some of thriving on negativity — whether it’s marriage breakdowns, financial exposés, or public call-outs. Many interpreted the comment as a direct suggestion that AY’s warning perfectly described Freeze’s brand of media engagement.
The drama didn’t end there. Screenshots of the exchange spread rapidly across Instagram, WhatsApp, and blogs. Some users praised AY for speaking truth to power in an industry riddled with fake loyalty. Others called him out for perceived hypocrisy, digging up old stories of alleged arrogance or distance from upcoming acts. A few even turned it into memes: “AY said protect your peace… but first, protect your mention.”
This isn’t the first time AY has used his platform to address deeper issues. In recent months, he has spoken out on everything from Nigeria’s insecurity crisis to the pressures of social media perfectionism. His very public marriage separation in 2024 also put him under intense scrutiny, with some online personalities openly feasting on the drama — a reality that may have inspired his latest message.
Yet through it all, AY has maintained a defiant resilience. He continues to sell out shows, produce hit movies, mentor younger comedians, and command one of the largest followings in African entertainment.
By Thursday morning, the original post had become more than just a subtweet — it evolved into a full cultural moment, forcing many in Nigeria’s influencer and celebrity circles to quietly audit their own circles.
In a country where success often attracts envy disguised as friendship, AY’s warning landed like a mirror held up to the industry: Not everyone clapping for you is cheering for you. And sometimes, the loudest lessons come not from enemies, but from those who once called you “bro.”
As the dust settles on this latest online storm, one thing remains clear — in the age of monetized outrage, loyalty is the real currency. And AY Makun just reminded everyone to spend it wisely.
