“They Called Me a Manipulator—Now We’ve Manipulated the Government!” — VDM Celebrates Victory as FCT Teachers Suspend Strike After Wike Releases ₦16 Bilions

Controversial activist and online personality, VeryDarkMan (VDM), has declared a personal and public victory following the suspension of the months-long strike by FCT teachers. The decision came after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly disbursed a staggering ₦16 billion for the payment of outstanding teacher wages and entitlements. And true to his unapologetic and provocative style, VDM wasted no time in taunting critics who accused him of exploiting schoolchildren during his protests.

“People said I was a manipulator for using school children to protest, now we have manipulated the government into opening the schools,” he said in a statement that has since gone viral, racking up tens of thousands of reposts and reactions across social platforms.

It all started when VDM, known for his fierce, sometimes divisive advocacy, stormed Abuja with a group of uniformed primary school children holding placards that read: “We Want To Learn”, “Pay Our Teachers”, and “Wike, Our Future Is Dying.” Videos from the protest showed children chanting slogans and marching through the streets of the FCT, led by VDM himself. The move drew immediate backlash from a section of the public, with critics calling it “performative activism” and “child exploitation.” Some labeled him a “manipulator,” suggesting that the activist was using children to chase clout rather than effect real change.

But in a stunning reversal of fortunes, the same tactic that was condemned by many has now been hailed by others as effective civil disobedience. Barely days after the protest garnered national attention, news broke that the FCT Administration, under Wike’s directive, had released ₦16 billion—funds earmarked for the payment of arrears owed to primary school teachers. Hours after the disbursement was confirmed, the teachers' union announced a suspension of their industrial action, signaling a potential return to normalcy for thousands of students who had been out of school for several months.

VDM’s tone in his reaction was a mixture of vindication and mockery. “I don't care what they call it—manipulation, madness, noise-making. The only thing that matters to me is that these kids are going back to school. The teachers can feed their families. That's what activism should do. It should work,” he said during a live stream on Instagram. “When government ignores the suffering of its people, it’s up to us to make noise so loud they have no choice but to listen.”

The activist’s words have reignited a nationwide debate over the role of protest, the ethics of activism, and the boundaries of civil engagement. While some Nigerians are still uneasy about the image of minors marching in protest lines, others are celebrating the effectiveness of VDM’s unconventional approach. Hashtags like #VDMThePeople’sVoice and #16BillionVictory have been trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many users acknowledging that his efforts, while controversial, ultimately forced the government to act.

The FCT teachers’ strike, which began earlier in the year, had left public primary schools in Abuja virtually paralyzed. The teachers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, had embarked on indefinite industrial action over unpaid wages, lack of promotion arrears, and general welfare neglect. Appeals and negotiations had dragged on with little progress, and at several points, the union threatened to escalate the protest to other states in solidarity.

The deadlock seemed immovable until VDM, known for his no-holds-barred activism, entered the fray. He had previously clashed with public figures, celebrities, and institutions over corruption, hypocrisy, and exploitation. His entry into the teachers' strike saga came like a whirlwind. The sight of children holding hand-drawn posters and chanting for their right to education proved impossible to ignore, even for those initially skeptical of his methods.

As the FCT Administration confirmed the release of ₦16 billion, sources within the Ministry of Education noted that the funds were part of an emergency intervention package to resolve ongoing industrial disputes and restore stability in the education sector. While Wike has yet to officially comment on VDM’s involvement or the influence of the protests, insiders say the pressure from both media coverage and public sentiment played a role in fast-tracking the decision.

Still, not everyone is sold on the idea of using children as the face of protest. Child rights activists have warned that while the cause may be noble, involving minors in politically charged demonstrations sets a dangerous precedent. “It is a fine line between advocacy and exploitation. Children should be protected, not paraded in protests,” one lawyer commented on Channels TV. But VDM remains unfazed. “If adults won't fight for these children, then the children will fight for themselves. We didn't put them in harm's way—we gave them a voice,” he insisted.

As Abuja residents react to the sudden turnaround, many parents have expressed relief and gratitude. “I have three children in public school who have been sitting at home for months. VDM may be controversial, but if not for him, I don’t think the government would have acted,” said Mrs. Bukola Abayomi, a trader in Nyanya. Teachers, too, are cautiously optimistic. “We’re glad the money has been released. It’s a win for all of us. We just hope the government keeps to their promises this time,” one school principal told reporters.

Meanwhile, social media continues to buzz with mixed reactions. Memes of VDM in superhero costumes, captions like “Manipulator Turned Messiah,” and edits of him walking beside school children have flooded timelines. Critics remain vocal, but the tide of public opinion seems to be shifting in his favor.

Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain—VDM has once again proven that he is a force that cannot be ignored. In a nation where silence is often the loudest response to injustice, his noisy, bold, and sometimes chaotic approach to activism is yielding results that resonate deeply with ordinary Nigerians. The schools will soon reopen. The teachers will receive their pay. And the man many accused of manipulating the situation now wears that accusation as a badge of honor.

“If manipulation gets children back to school, then maybe it’s not such a bad thing,” VDM said with a smirk. And with that, the activist-turned-national talking point reminded everyone why, in a country desperate for change, sometimes the most unlikely voices make the biggest impact.