Nollywood actor Ugo Nwokolo has come under public scrutiny after commenting on the role of internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo,” in Nigeria’s economy during a discussion on the country’s economic situation.
In a video that has attracted attention online, the actor argued that worsening economic conditions, including soaring rent and the high cost of living, have placed significant financial pressure on many Nigerians, especially low-income earners.
Nwokolo questioned how civil servants earning between ₦50,000 and ₦90,000 monthly could afford accommodation in cities such as Abuja and Lagos, where rental prices have risen sharply in recent years.
According to him, the disparity between workers’ earnings and living expenses has created a situation where many people struggle to meet basic financial obligations.
While discussing the issue, the actor observed that individuals involved in internet fraud often appear to have the financial means to cope with these rising costs. However, he stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as support for criminal activities.
Instead, Nwokolo said his intention was to draw attention to the difficult economic realities confronting many Nigerians and the challenges posed by inflation, unemployment, and increasing housing costs.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users agreeing that the comments reflect the country’s economic difficulties, while others criticised any suggestion that could be seen as normalising or justifying internet fraud.
