By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to express their opinion over the presentation of a recognition award to social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
While some Nigerians on social media say the award is well-deserved, others have berated the NBA for the action. They added that it would ruin the association’s reputation and referenced a previous NBA annual conference where singer Portable was invited to perform but was disinvited after public outrage.
The NBA presented the award to VDM on Tuesday, August 25, after he participated as a panellist, where he shared his experiences on insecurity and other issues affecting the country at the ongoing 2026 Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The moderator, who presented the award to VDM on behalf of the NBA president and members, said the association appreciated his presence at the conference and his willingness to share his experiences with participants.
“On behalf of the president and members of the Nigeria Association, I present this award to you for being here with us and sharing your own experience. But please, when you are attacked, don’t kill. Report to the police,” the moderator said, and thereafter invited VDM and other officials for a photograph.
The social media influencer’s appearance at the NBA conference has attracted public attention, with him previously explaining that his invitation was based on his experiences and advocacy on insecurity rather than legal expertise.
“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience,” he said.
Speaking during the session, VDM expressed concern over insecurity in the country and criticised what he described as inadequate media coverage of killings.
Some people who expressed their opinion online in favour of VDM’s invitation to the conference and award said his views on the state of insecurity in the country were important and reflected the reality of security for most Nigerians.
@MOyindamol54953 wrote, “I watched some of the video clips and I agree and pleased for inviting him. In fact, any lawyer that doesn’t like that invitation doesn’t know what he or she studied in school. After school of law, you need to learn about real life. He was invited to talk about real life experiences.”
@Denniski1919 added, “Hope you’ve received your own award or were you not even qualified to go on the podium? This is VDM receiving award from people who matter. Everyone else crying online can continue. You haters are toothless dogs who can’t bite. Just bark and keep quiet after.”
@DanielofTruth tweeted, “See how they were rushing VDM. The online hate is pure noise. VDM’s real-world influence is unmatched. Seeing hundreds of NBA lawyers, basically a whole legion of Ratels, waiting in line just to get a photo with VeryDarkMan says everything.”
However, some others said VDM’s presence at the conference made a mockery of the prestigious profession.
@inkielab01 tweeted, “Nigeria will humble you. Today’s critic can become tomorrow’s award recipient. Pedigree gets you through some doors, but influence can open completely different ones.
@Austeiin wrote, “What a country?? Just go viral and see yourself speak on top Nigerian platforms. Have you noticed that you don’t even need to be an MSc or even BSc holder to speak on professional platforms? Just get money or go viral, Nigeria will always accommodate you … The good, the bad and the Olodo.”
@Umuojime added, “The NBA inviting VeryDarkMan to sit on a security panel with the IGP is the ultimate corporate surrender. You have thousands of lawyers paying massive registration fees to debate the rule of law, while the leadership relies on an untrained internet activist to drive actual public accountability. It proves the formal legal system knows it has lost its grip on the streets.”
@Oreofe06 said, “The same people who spent years telling us pedigree is everything are now taking pictures with the man they called unserious. Nigeria will humble you.”
