Tacha Sparks Controversy as She Slams Scott Iguma Over Criticism of Lagos Highbrow Area

The Nigerian social media space has once again been thrown into heated debate after popular reality TV star, Tacha Akide, known to her teeming fans as “Symply Tacha,” took to X (formerly Twitter) to lash out at content creator Scott Iguma for his comments on the state of infrastructure in a highbrow area of Lagos. The exchange, which has since gone viral, highlights the ongoing battle of narratives about Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial capital and raises broader questions about civic responsibility, accountability, and the role of social media influencers in shaping national conversations.

It all began when Scott Iguma, a fast-rising social commentator and content creator, made a video highlighting what he described as the poor condition of a supposedly prestigious neighborhood in Lagos. According to him, Lagos, which is often paraded as the center of excellence, has failed to live up to its reputation as a megacity. His critique was not just about Lagos but about how Nigeria’s elites glamorize certain parts of the city while ignoring the infrastructural decay that affects both ordinary and wealthy residents. In his words, the idea of Lagos being the face of Nigeria is exaggerated when even so-called highbrow areas are not insulated from dilapidation, traffic gridlock, and flooding.

Tacha, who is never one to shy away from controversies, immediately fired back at him in a post dripping with sarcasm and irritation. She accused Scott and other content creators of constantly bashing Lagos as though it were the only state in Nigeria. “All these content creators! Everyday Lagos state Lagos state. One will think Lagos state is the only state in Nigeria. Oyah post ‘highbrow’ area in your own state and you’ll be nowhere to be found. Doubt you even know who your local government chairman is… sighs,” she wrote, igniting a storm of reactions online.

Her response quickly divided Nigerians, with some applauding her for defending Lagos, while others criticized her for deflecting from the real issue, which is the government’s failure to maintain basic infrastructure. Supporters of Scott argued that Lagos deserves special scrutiny because it is not only Nigeria’s economic hub but also the city projected to the world as the nation’s model. They stressed that the poor state of roads, housing, drainage, and public amenities in Lagos should be openly criticized, no matter who feels offended.

On the other hand, Tacha’s fans and other Lagos loyalists maintained that critics like Scott often cherry-pick Lagos issues for clout without offering solutions. They echoed Tacha’s point that many of these self-proclaimed social critics rarely highlight the failings in their own states or localities, yet are quick to drag Lagos at every opportunity. For them, Tacha’s post was a call for balance and fairness in social commentary, especially given that every state in Nigeria has its share of infrastructural challenges.

The debate soon expanded beyond Scott and Tacha, with ordinary Nigerians weighing in on whether influencers should use their platforms to attack governments, defend cities, or simply entertain. Some analysts noted that Lagos is always a recurring subject in national conversations because of its symbolic significance. With an estimated population of over 20 million people, Lagos is not only Nigeria’s biggest city but also the melting pot of cultures, businesses, and ambitions. It is home to the nation’s largest ports, busiest airports, and most lucrative real estate markets. For that reason alone, critics argue, it cannot be treated like any other state and must constantly be held to higher standards.

But Tacha’s intervention highlights another angle often ignored in such debates: the role of ordinary citizens in demanding accountability from their local government officials. Her dig at Scott, suggesting that he doesn’t even know his local government chairman, touched a nerve because many Nigerians are indeed disconnected from grassroots governance. While it is easy to call out state governors or federal authorities, local government leaders, who are the closest to the people, often escape scrutiny. Tacha seemed to be urging Nigerians to broaden their scope of activism and not focus solely on Lagos or the federal government while ignoring local realities.

Still, critics accused her of missing the point and choosing to shoot the messenger instead of addressing the message. They pointed out that whether or not Scott knows his local chairman, his observation about Lagos remains valid and should not be dismissed. For them, the reaction of celebrities like Tacha demonstrates how defensive Lagos elites can be when confronted with uncomfortable truths about their city. They argue that constructive criticism, no matter where it comes from, should be welcomed as part of the democratic process.

As the back-and-forth continued, memes, hashtags, and edited videos of Tacha’s post flooded social media. Some users mocked her by posting pictures of flooded streets in Victoria Island and Lekki with sarcastic captions like “Center of Excellence,” while others shared videos of poorly maintained roads in their own states to prove her point that the rot is nationwide. The debate even spilled into offline conversations, with radio hosts, television pundits, and newspaper columnists weighing in on whether Nigerians are too harsh on Lagos or not harsh enough.

For many, the entire saga underscores the growing power of social media in shaping national discourse. In a country where traditional institutions often fail to hold government accountable, platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram have become arenas where ordinary citizens and influencers alike challenge authority, expose decay, and demand better governance. But with that power also comes the temptation to chase clout, sensationalize issues, and turn serious matters into online drama, which critics accuse both Scott and Tacha of doing.

What cannot be denied, however, is that Lagos, despite its glamour and global recognition, continues to grapple with basic challenges that undermine its claim to megacity status. From perennial flooding to traffic congestion, from poor waste management to inadequate housing, the problems are glaring. Whether or not Scott is guilty of selective criticism, his video struck a chord with millions of Lagosians who live these realities daily. Tacha’s pushback, on the other hand, resonated with those tired of seeing Lagos dragged every day while other states get a free pass.

As things stand, the clash between Tacha and Scott is unlikely to be the last of its kind. In a society where governance is weak and public trust in leaders is low, citizens will continue to vent their frustrations online, and celebrities will continue to insert themselves into these debates, either as defenders, critics, or provocateurs. For Tacha, this episode adds to her long list of viral moments where she spoke her mind without fear of backlash. For Scott, it has given him even more visibility as a fearless critic willing to call out the uncomfortable truths others prefer to ignore.

In the end, the real question is not whether Lagos is unfairly targeted or whether content creators are chasing clout, but whether Nigerians are ready to demand accountability from all levels of government with the same energy they bring to online debates. Until that happens, the cycle of blame-shifting, defensiveness, and viral clapbacks may continue to dominate public discourse, while the very problems being discussed remain unsolved.