• 07 Jan, 2025
• Kannywood Scene
• No comment

The Social Spotlight: Nafisat Abdullahi’s Talk Show Sparks Backlash in Arewa Media Space

Two weeks ago, Nafisat Abdullahi quietly launched her much-anticipated talk show, The Social Spotlight. The debut episode offered viewers a glimpse into her journey through Kannywood, from her early days as an actress to her evolution into a producer and accomplished entrepreneur. However, it was the second episode—focusing on Arewa women’s engagement with social media—that ignited widespread backlash and became the subject of intense discussion.

In the episode, Nafisat was joined by Nasir Ali Ƙoƙi and Mr. Kasim Iliyasu as they dissected the influence of social media on the lives of Arewa women. What began as a measured conversation quickly escalated into a heated debate, filled with impromptu retorts and frequent digressions, making the episode both riveting and polarizing.

As is often the case in Arewa’s media space, the conversation soon veered into familiar territory: the perennial debates on gender roles and morality. On platforms like Arewa Twitter, such discussions typically devolve into verbal sparring, with men accusing women of materialism, insensitivity, and a lack of moral decorum, while women respond by highlighting entrenched misogyny, hypocrisy, and double standards.

Unsurprisingly, the episode occasionally strayed from its central theme of women’s use of social media to touch on broader and equally sensitive topics, including marital power dynamics. As the only woman on the panel, Nafisat frequently clashed with her male counterparts, accusing them of disproportionately highlighting women’s shortcomings while conveniently ignoring men’s culpability.

The episode’s most controversial moment came during an exchange between Nafisat and Nasir Ali Ƙoƙi, who raised the topic of women publicly exposing their hair—a contentious issue in Northern Nigeria’s conservative society. “You’ve acknowledged that showing your hair in public is immoral,” Nasir remarked.

“Of course,” Nafisat replied calmly.

“Then why do you do it?” he probed further.

Her bold response left audiences divided: “Ganin dama” (“Because I want to”). She added defiantly, “The more people tell me not to, the more it motivates me to do it.”

This unapologetic stance triggered a wave of online criticism. Some accused Nafisat of defying cultural and religious values, labeling her comments as a deliberate ploy for attention. Others, however, praised her for asserting her personal agency and refusing to bow to societal pressure.

The old adage, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” seems to ring true for Nafisat. The controversy has only amplified interest in The Social Spotlight, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next episode. Will Nafisat confront her critics head-on? Will the show continue to explore similarly provocative themes? For now, all eyes remain fixed on Nafisat Abdullahi and the direction her show will take next.