It started as a heartfelt gesture to celebrate brilliance, but now it’s looking like the latest copyright kerfuffle in Naija’s ever-busy social media streets. Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold, popularly known as AG Baby, is not smiling — and this time, it’s not about heartbreak in a love song. The man is vexing over what he calls the “unauthorised use” of his idea by a Nigerian bank.
You see, some weeks ago, AG Baby had everyone clapping (and tweeting) for joy when he launched his ‘first-class giveaway’. It was a thoughtful initiative that rewarded Nigerians who bagged first-class degrees with cash gifts. In a country where academic excellence is often overlooked, especially if you’re not a skit maker or reality TV star, this was pure gold — pun intended.
But then came a twist.
Enter Wema Bank’s digital arm, ALAT. The bank rolled out a cheeky ad campaign that went viral for the wrong reasons. Their message?
“AG Baby no send you first class gift? No worries, ALAT’s got you covered. Enjoy up to 70% off your favourite brands this weekend via eVouchers on the ALAT app – it’s no crime to not have a first-class degree.”
Omo, AG Baby no find am funny.
Quoting the bank’s post directly, the singer responded with a sharp clapback:
“Dear @wemabank @alat_ng, when did this start? You’ll be hearing from my people.”
Let’s just say, the internet caught fire immediately. Fans rallied around the singer, calling out what many described as a “clear case of idea theft”. Others, in typical Nigerian fashion, dropped spicy comments:
“Na so una dey use people brain for promo wey una no pay for!”
“Hope say una go also share 70% of una profit with AG Baby.”
A Matter of Consent and Creativity
At the heart of the issue is a growing conversation around intellectual property, especially in the digital age. In Nigeria, where memes, tweets, and trends are often lifted without credit, Adekunle Gold’s move to threaten legal action might just be a wake-up call for corporate brands who think “inspiration” is a free-for-all buffet.
Branding expert, Tolu Ogunlesi, noted on X (formerly Twitter), “If AG Baby trademarks that giveaway name or concept, this could open the door for other creatives to demand more respect for their work. This is more than vibes — it’s ownership.”
While the bank has not publicly responded to the singer’s post as of the time of this report, sources say there may be quiet talks going on behind the scenes. After all, nobody wants to be dragged in court and on Twitter at the same time. Nigeria is hard enough.
Not Just a Joke Anymore
What started as social media banter could soon enter legal territory, and it sends a strong message: even in the world of entertainment and “vibes”, ideas are assets.
For AG Baby, whose star power continues to rise both locally and internationally, this might just be the beginning of a new era — one where creatives demand their dues not just on the charts, but in boardrooms too.
As for the rest of us? Let this be a gentle reminder: if you didn’t create it, at least ask before you package it into a promo. Because in this Nigeria, the only thing worse than a lawsuit is a clapback from a pop star with loyal fans and sharp lawyers.
After all, as we say, “na who get idea dey suffer pass.”
