A video showing naira notes being sprayed on popular singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara, known as Rarara, has sparked widespread reactions online. The incident occurred during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to Adamawa State, where he commissioned projects and praised Governor Umaru Fintiri for his performance in office.
While the president highlighted the progress of his administration’s economic reforms, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, public attention quickly shifted to the viral clip. In the footage, a woman wearing an All Progressives Congress-branded outfit sprayed N1,000 notes on Rarara as he performed his hit song, “Omo Ologo,” in the president’s presence.
The act reignited debate over the legality of spraying currency. The Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, prohibits mutilation, defacement, or misuse of naira notes, with penalties that include fines and imprisonment. Recent years have seen celebrities and others convicted for similar offences, highlighting the strict enforcement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Online reactions were mixed. Some Nigerians criticised the display as a sign of lawlessness and selective enforcement, while others defended it as a cultural practice, pointing out inconsistencies in how currency rules are applied. Many questioned whether the incident was a loophole being exploited or simply a momentary cultural expression halted by authorities.
The video continues to fuel discussions on social media about the balance between cultural practices and legal compliance in Nigeria.
