“Make Person Dey Inside Club, Make E Still No Dey Happy” – BBNaija’s Phyna Stirs Reactions as She Steps Out Clubbing Weeks After Sister’s Death

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has once again found herself at the center of heated discussions after a video of her surfaced online showing her at a nightclub just weeks after the passing of her sister. The reality TV star, who has always been known for her outspoken nature and controversial lifestyle, appeared in high spirits while vibing to loud music in a Lagos club, but it was her accompanying words that sent social media into a frenzy. In the clip, Phyna could be heard saying, “Make person dey inside club, make e still no dey happy,” a statement that has since sparked mixed reactions from fans, critics, and industry observers.

Phyna, who has never shied away from sharing her raw emotions with the public, seemed to be expressing the duality of her current state of mind. Despite stepping out to engage in nightlife and distract herself from grief, she admitted she is still battling an internal struggle that partying cannot fully heal. For many, her words were a candid reflection of the emptiness that often follows tragedy, a silent reminder that external appearances rarely mirror the depth of one’s emotional state. Others, however, accused her of insensitivity, suggesting that going clubbing so soon after such a painful loss was inappropriate.

The reality star lost her sister only a few weeks ago, a painful event that she herself announced to the public in a heartfelt social media post. Fans rallied around her at the time, flooding her page with condolences and prayers, urging her to take time away from the limelight to process the grief. But Phyna has chosen a different coping mechanism, one that seems to blend moments of solitude with bursts of public appearances. Her decision to go clubbing has not only divided public opinion but also reignited the conversation about how celebrities navigate grief under the constant scrutiny of fans and critics alike.

Supporters of the BBNaija star argue that everyone grieves differently, and there is no manual on how long one must mourn before attempting to resume normal activities. They point out that Phyna’s attempt to engage in social activities may simply be her way of distracting herself from the unbearable silence of loss. A fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “People are quick to judge. Phyna is human. If she stays indoors, they’ll say she’s depressed. If she goes out, they say she’s heartless. Let her heal the way she knows how.” Another added, “We all mourn differently. Clubbing doesn’t mean she has forgotten her sister. It could just be an escape.”

On the other hand, critics have not been as forgiving. Several commentators insist that Phyna’s actions display a lack of respect for her late sister’s memory, accusing her of prioritizing the nightlife scene over quiet mourning. One Instagram user commented, “Your sister just passed, and you’re out dancing and drinking? That’s not how a grieving person behaves.” Another wrote, “Phyna is too desperate for attention. She could have avoided the cameras instead of posting from the club.”

The statement, “Make person dey inside club, make e still no dey happy,” has since become the focal point of this ongoing debate. While some see it as a brave admission that not even the noise and lights of a club can drown out grief, others see it as a careless remark that trivializes her mourning period. Phyna’s ability to trigger strong conversations with even the smallest gestures is not new. Since winning Big Brother Naija, she has consistently been in the headlines for both her career moves and personal life, a testament to her unfiltered personality and magnetic presence.

Observers have also pointed out that the entertainment industry has long placed unfair expectations on public figures, forcing them to appear strong or emotionally controlled even in times of deep pain. Unlike ordinary people who can grieve in private, celebrities like Phyna must battle sorrow while cameras remain glued to their every move. This reality raises questions about whether society places too much pressure on stars to conform to certain behavioral standards after tragedies. Can anyone truly dictate what mourning should look like? Or is the backlash against Phyna simply another example of public intrusion into personal healing?

For Phyna, this latest incident adds to a long list of controversies that have defined her post-BBNaija career. From public spats with fellow reality stars to her outspoken views on love, money, and fame, she has built a reputation as one of the most unapologetic personalities in Nigerian entertainment. Her words and actions, whether intentional or not, have a way of sparking viral conversations. This recent nightclub outing might have been an attempt to return to normalcy or even a moment of forced happiness, but it has once again cemented her position as a lightning rod for public opinion.

Interestingly, some psychologists and grief counselors have weighed in, noting that Phyna’s decision to go out might not necessarily signal healing or insensitivity but rather avoidance, a common coping mechanism where people immerse themselves in distractions to avoid confronting pain. They argue that while it may seem unusual to outsiders, it is not uncommon for bereaved individuals to oscillate between moments of joy and sorrow. A night out at the club could easily end in tears once the music stops and the lights fade. Her statement, “make person dey inside club, make e still no dey happy,” perfectly captures this paradox.

Phyna herself has not directly addressed the backlash, but those who know her believe she is unlikely to be fazed. True to her nature, she has always projected resilience and boldness, refusing to conform to societal expectations or apologize for her choices. If anything, she may use the criticism as another platform to assert her individuality, reminding fans and critics alike that celebrities are humans first, not robots programmed to grieve in a way that pleases the public.

As the conversation continues to dominate blogs and social media platforms, one thing is clear: Phyna has once again proven her ability to remain at the center of public discourse. Whether she is seen as insensitive or misunderstood, her words have struck a chord that resonates beyond her personal life, sparking broader conversations about grief, coping mechanisms, and the pressures of living in the spotlight. Her remark from the club has already been turned into memes, quotes, and debates across different platforms, proving how quickly Nigerian pop culture can latch onto a statement and amplify it into a nationwide conversation.

In the end, Phyna’s recent outing serves as a reminder that the journey through grief is complicated and deeply personal. For some, it involves withdrawal and silence; for others, it means trying to drown sorrow in noise and laughter, even temporarily. Her words, though controversial, reflect a universal truth: one can be surrounded by people, music, and lights yet still feel the heavy emptiness of loss. And perhaps that is the real story behind the viral moment—Phyna’s ability to voice what many silently experience but rarely admit.

Whether Nigerians choose to sympathize with her or criticize her, one fact remains: grief has no timetable, no uniform expression, and no single right way of coping. Phyna may be a celebrity, but in her pain and contradictions, she is no different from anyone else navigating the fragile balance between loss and living.