Veteran Nigerian actress, comedienne, and media personality Omotunde Adebowale-David—widely known as Lolo 1, has added her voice to the ongoing cultural debate over the normalization and glamorization of sex work in mainstream and digital media.
Speaking during a recent episode of the podcast Say My Piece, the outspoken entertainer criticized the way transactional sex is now being openly discussed and even celebrated on social media platforms.
Lolo expressed concern that what used to be taboo is now being pushed as a legitimate lifestyle choice, especially among young people. “You open social media and all you see are young ladies boasting about the men funding their lifestyles,” she lamented. “Nobody talks about the hustle anymore. Nobody is inspired to work hard because everything is now about what you can get from your body.”
She warned that the growing societal acceptance of this lifestyle, coupled with the influence of influencers and celebrities who flaunt lavish lifestyles without clarity on how they are funded, is sending dangerous messages to the next generation. “We are losing our values. We’re telling young girls that all you need is beauty and a phone. And we’re telling boys that success comes from shortcuts, not sweat.”
Lolo’s comments have gone viral and sparked heated debates online, with some agreeing with her and others arguing that the issue is more about economic hardship than morality. Regardless, her statement adds a much-needed voice to the conversation about the cultural shifts affecting Nigeria’s youth.