Nigerian singer Simi has come under renewed scrutiny after social media users resurfaced old tweets in which she made remarks about Igbo men.
Screenshots of posts dated 2014 began circulating on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend, prompting widespread discussion. In one tweet, the singer wrote, “Igbo boys just don’t have swag,” while another referenced “boys with konk Igbo accent,” comments that several users have interpreted as reinforcing ethnic stereotypes.
In a separate post tied to a football match at the time, she wrote, “Chelsea players with Igbo boy behaviour. Is this wrestling?” — a remark that has also drawn criticism in the current wave of reactions.
The revived posts have generated mixed responses online. Some users condemned the statements as insensitive and inappropriate, particularly given Nigeria’s complex ethnic landscape. Others argued that the tweets were made more than a decade ago and suggested that individuals can mature and evolve in their perspectives.
As of press time, Simi has not issued a public statement addressing the resurfaced tweets.
The comes a day after Simi responded to criticism following the resurfacing of tweets she posted in 2012, insisting that the decade-old comments are being misinterpreted and do not reflect any form of support for sexual violence.
The controversy emerged after the singer recently spoke out about s3xual assault on social media. In a post that quickly gained traction, Simi stated that almost every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault at some point in their lives. The remark ignited intense debate online, with many users commending her for spotlighting the prevalence of abuse, while others questioned the generalisation.
As the conversation gathered momentum, some users on X (formerly Twitter) began circulating screenshots of tweets Simi made more than a decade ago. Critics argued that the old posts appeared inconsistent with her current stance and accused her of hypocrisy. The resurfaced tweets rapidly trended, drawing renewed scrutiny to her past social media activity.
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In response, Simi shared a lengthy statement on her X page on Monday, saying she felt compelled to address the situation after the old posts were brought to her attention. She maintained that the tweets were taken out of context and misrepresented, stressing that she has never trivialised rape or blamed victims of s3xual assault.
According to the singer, the resurfaced comments were part of a broader discussion at the time and should not be isolated or interpreted in a way that suggests insensitivity toward survivors. She emphasised that she stands firmly against s3xual violence and supports victims who speak out about their experiences.
Simi also noted that people evolve over time, pointing out that opinions expressed more than ten years ago may not fully reflect her present-day understanding of complex and sensitive issues. She underscored the importance of growth, education and accountability in public discourse.
“I haven’t been on Twitter today, but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention, and I can’t not address it,” she wrote.
According to her, the tweets were sent in 2012, when she was 23 years old and not yet well-known. She said that at the time, she was pursuing her singing career while living at home and assisting her mother in running a daycare. She said that her posts regarding kids represented typical, day-to-day interactions.
“Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she added.
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