The Illusion of Activism: Examining VeryDarkMan’s Monetization and the Real Motives Behind His Online Draggings
In Nigeria’s digital landscape, few names spark conversation as quickly as VeryDarkMan (VDM) — the self-styled activist whose bold call-outs and confrontations with celebrities, politicians, and public figures have made him a dominant social media force.
However, recent revelations have exposed cracks in the carefully constructed image VDM presents. With confirmation that he has monetized his Facebook page — contrary to his repeated claims — Nigerians are now beginning to question: Is VeryDarkMan truly fighting for justice, or simply cashing in on controversy?
The Monetization Revelation: Fact vs Fiction
For months, VeryDarkMan positioned himself as a voice of the oppressed — a raw, unfiltered activist allegedly seeking no financial rewards. His messaging was consistently clear:
- He portrayed himself as a man of the people,
- Claimed no financial interest,
- Insisted he was not profiting from his activism,
- Emphasized he was motivated purely by a sense of justice.
He repeatedly denied making money online, presenting himself as a grassroots truth-teller distinct from others he accused of clout-chasing and commercial opportunism.
However, this narrative has crumbled under the weight of verifiable evidence.
Today, it is an established fact that VDM’s Facebook page is fully monetized. His content now:
- Generates engagement-driven revenue,
- Earns bonuses through Facebook’s creator programs.
Verified Evidence
- His videos display ad breaks — a clear indication of monetization approval.
- Facebook’s policies (Meta Business Help Center, 2025) confirm that pages must actively apply for monetization and meet strict engagement thresholds.
Implications: Deliberate Concealment and Public Deception
Thus, the narrative that VeryDarkMan was merely “speaking truth to power” without financial motives was knowingly false. By denying his monetization while aggressively pushing outrage-driven content, VDM:
- Misled his audience into believing he was operating solely on moral grounds,
- Solicited public sympathy and credibility under false pretenses,
- Benefited financially from the same system he claimed to oppose.
In simple terms, he concealed his financial gains while building a brand on the myth of selflessness.
This revelation fundamentally shifts public perception:
VDM is not merely a “voice of the voiceless”; he is a savvy digital entrepreneur — one who understood early that controversy pays and that outrage converts into dollars.
EFCC Arrest and the ₦50 Million Confession
In a more damning twist, during his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), VeryDarkMan confessed that he had earned over ₦50 million from his activities across various social media platforms.
According to his story on Instagram and EFCC sources:
- He disclosed that a UK-based handler manages his YouTube and monetization structures remotely.
- He admitted that his platforms — Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube — were systematically optimized for maximum earnings.
Even more seriously, the EFCC accused VDM of failing to fulfill his tax obligations on these substantial earnings.
The Commission is now investigating him for possible tax evasion, a serious offense under Nigerian law.
This confession shattered any lingering illusion that VDM’s activism was purely altruistic or self-sacrificing.
Dragging for Dollars: Understanding His Method
When one examines VeryDarkMan’s meteoric rise, a clear and strategic pattern becomes visible.
His ascent was not driven by pure activism, but rather by the deliberate and calculated exploitation of trending controversies — engineered to drive views, shares, and ultimately, substantial cash earnings.
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Picking Trending Topics | Targets viral stories, controversies, or celebrity moments to hijack public attention. |
| Attacking High-Profile Individuals | Drags celebrities, influencers, and public figures to tap into their fanbases and amplify debate. |
| Monetizing Outrage | Uses aggressive, highly emotional styles that trigger public arguments, boosting algorithmic reach. |
| Playing the Underdog | Despite substantial earnings, brands himself as an oppressed “truth-teller” to maintain audience sympathy. |
At its core:
Every dragging, every outrage cycle, every trending hashtag is an opportunity for financial gain.
Real-Life Examples of Monetized Outrage
🔥 Mercy Chinwo vs EeZee Tee (Record Label Dispute)
Rather than allow legal processes to run their course, VDM seized on gospel artist Mercy Chinwo’s dispute with her former label — GNT Nation.
Without full facts, he:
- Accused her of dubious behavior,
- Alleged fraudulent acts without evidence,
- Created multiple sensational videos to stir public anger.
Outcome:
- His videos trended among religious and entertainment audiences,
- Emotional debates raged,
- His page’s watch hours, ad payouts, and follower counts surged.
🔥 Davido’s Wedding and Celebrity Guests
When Davido married Chioma Rowland in June 2024, it was celebrated nationwide.
VDM, however, saw opportunity:
- Instead of attacking Davido, he targeted celebrity guests like Iyabo Ojo,
- Mocked attendees as “fake supporters” and “clout chasers”,
- Created multiple viral videos dragging these invitees.
Outcome:
- His criticisms inserted him into Africa’s biggest trending event,
- Heated debates fueled massive engagement,
- His monetized channels experienced a surge in traffic and ad revenue.
🔥 Mohbad’s Death and Widow Targeting
Following artist Mohbad’s tragic death:
- VDM immediately targeted the grieving widow,
- Accused her of complicity without proof,
- Fueled conspiracy theories to keep the tragedy trending.
Outcome:
- Mohbad’s widow faced brutal online harassment,
- VDM’s emotional content maximized engagement during a national tragedy.
🔥 The Deeone Case: Diverting Attack to Nedu Wazobia
When in a dispute with comedian Deeone:
- VDM shifted his attack towards the more popular Nedu Wazobia,
- Knowing Nedu’s fame would generate wider controversy,
- Crafted videos targeting Nedu to increase reach and ad earnings.
Outcome:
- Videos attacking Nedu trended higher than the original conflict,
- VDM’s Facebook and Instagram engagements surged significantly.
🧠 The Pattern is Consistent
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find a trending event or celebrity moment |
| 2 | Create outrage-driven content (attacks, accusations) |
| 3 | Trigger public debates and emotional reactions |
| 4 | Platform algorithms amplify the content |
| 5 | Monetization payouts increase |
The Psychology of Monetized Outrage
VDM’s behavior reflects a wider digital trend known as monetized outrage.
Social media platforms reward content that evokes anger, shock, and division, because emotional content drives higher engagement.
As Claire Wardle, Director at First Draft News, aptly notes:
“The internet rewards emotion, especially anger and fear, because these emotions travel faster and wider than calm, factual information.”
In VDM’s case:
- More controversy = More engagement,
- More engagement = More ad revenue,
- More ad revenue = Greater incentive to manufacture fights.
Thus, “fighting for justice” is less a civic duty and more a lucrative business model.
From Activism to Algorithmism
Initially, many Nigerians perceived VeryDarkMan as a rare, fearless voice against injustice.
Today, mounting evidence suggests he operates more like a digital entrepreneur, expertly engineering viral outrage to maximize financial returns.
This explains why:
- He inserts himself into every trending issue — whether relevant or not,
- His call-outs rarely yield lasting reforms,
- Fame and controversy, not civic impact, seem to be his real goals.
Simply put: VeryDarkMan’s activism fuels algorithms — and funds his pockets.
Key Quotes That Now Sound Different
- “I’m not here for money!” — VeryDarkMan (2023)
➔ Yet he confessed to the EFCC that he earned over ₦50 million online. - “I only speak for the voiceless.” — VeryDarkMan (2023)
➔ Yet his primary targets are celebrities and entertainers — for clicks, not structural reforms. - “I don’t care about followers or fame.” — VeryDarkMan (2023)
➔ Yet he systematically grew and monetized Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.
Conclusion: The Need for Critical Thinking
VeryDarkMan’s story offers Nigerians a critical lesson:
✅ Not every loud voice is fighting for justice.
✅ Not every ‘activist’ is pure.
✅ Monetization inevitably shapes motives.
While some of his early activism highlighted genuine issues, it is now clear that his platform primarily serves personal financial ambitions — not public progress.
Activism rooted in profit — rather than service — ultimately undermines the very causes it pretends to champion.
In the final analysis, VeryDarkMan’s empire thrives not on justice, but on the art of outrage monetization, turning public sympathy into private wealth.
References
- Wardle, C. (2018). Information disorder: Understanding the manipulation of narratives online. First Draft News. Retrieved from https://firstdraftnews.org/
- Facebook for Creators. (n.d.). Eligibility for Facebook Monetization Programs. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/business/help/169845596919485
- Meta Business Help Center. (n.d.). Content Monetization Policies. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/business/help/222837297255636
- Nigerian Tribune. (2024). Monetizing Social Media: New Realities Facing Online Influencers. Retrieved from https://tribuneonlineng.com
- Vanguard Nigeria. (2025). VDM confesses ₦50m earnings, faces EFCC tax evasion probe. Retrieved from https://www.vanguardngr.com
