Nigerian Content Creator, Akinyemi Omotayo, known as Asherkine, has addressed backlash over a video showing him taking a canteen worker from Ogun State, Nigeria, to Cape Town, South Africa.
Asherkine who surprises strangers with money, gifts, and experiences often through brand sponsorships, faced backlash after social media users accused him of staging the encounter.
In the video, a 21-year-old woman, Chiamaka Clare, says she works at a local canteen in Ogun State, where Asherkine first met her. During their interaction, the influencer asked to speak with her after work and later invited her on a post-Valentine’s Day date in Lagos after she mentioned that she had spent the day working. 
Clare called her mother to ask for permission before leaving with him. The video then showed them travelling to Lagos, where she was taken on a shopping spree at several stores before taking her to a restaurant. Asherkine also surprised her with gifts while celebrating a belated Valentine’s outing.
In a further twist, the influencer told her he would be flying her to South Africa, a moment that left the young woman emotional.
Clips from the trip showed the pair enjoying activities such as clubbing, helicopter rides, and other luxury experiences in the city.
Some users claimed the encounter appeared scripted and began digging through Clare’s social media accounts, alleging that her lifestyle online did not match the portrayal of a random canteen worker. Posts circulating online also suggested she works as a model and interior designer and had recently travelled outside Nigeria.
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In a post on X, Asherkine addressed the backlash and rejected claims that he staged the video, insisting that the story was genuine.
“I may understand that a bunch of people cannot fathom a young adult living and working in Ogun State, trying to make a way for themselves because she ‘looks too good’ for such a job,” he wrote.
He also pointed to her family ties in Lagos, Nigeria, saying this made the situation believable. “This person has a sister living in Lagos, it’s a 2 hr drive & She’s 21, I have cousins in Ogun state,” he explained.
Asherkine further clarified that the video was not recorded within a single day, as some critics had suggested. “I understand that most of my videos span through the progression of a day but this video spanned over a week after our first meet. I’m unsure how it looks like a 48hr livestream,” he added.
The influencer added that the criticism would not discourage him from continuing to create similar content.
Asherkine also reflected on how he got started in content creation, sharing that he began filming entertainers as a teenager while trying to find his path.
“I was 17 filming entertainers at events just to ‘chase something’ from UNILAG. I was exactly 20 after grad juggling Ikotun & Chevron to be with Yhemolee, Asake, and Ashidapo to document everything I could,” he wrote.
Over the years, Asherkine has grown a substantial online following through videos in which he surprises strangers across Nigeria with cash, shopping sprees, school fee assistance, and other acts of kindness. His content frequently highlights everyday Nigerians, from students and street vendors to transport workers.
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