Who else remembers Martins Vincent Otse aka VeryDarkMan, sitting in a room painted with black oil paint, wearing a black singlet that seemed to have been washed so many times it had become grey?
The Rise of VDM
It was 2022 when VeryDarkMan appeared on our phone screens, ‘dragging’ skincare brand Jenny’s Glow for lack of a NAFDAC number. He called her out insistently until NAFDAC sealed her premises. You would think VeryDarkMan would fade into the background after accomplishing his goal, but no; he started commenting and investigating everything happening in Nigeria, both political and in the entertainment space.
His takes are usually contrarian and are meant to shock. Case in point: during the death of Nigerian artist Mohbad, VDM was in support of his wife doing a paternity test. 
Many people saw him as a truth-telling god and he built a massive fanbase; they even call themselves the Ratels.
He got arrested in 2024 for ‘cyberbullying’ Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, he spent months in custody. When he was released, he was seen by many as some sort of activist.
That same year, he had many run-ins with the law and was a frequent visitor to detention facilities; because of his comments on many public figures, defamation suits were piling up every day.
Controversies and Charity
Fast forward to when his whole life changed: becoming the founder of the Martins Vincent Otse Initiative (MVOI), a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja with the goal of public education reform, community development, and financial transparency in the non-profit sector. The MVOI successfully raised over ₦33 million from small-scale donors within just 24 hours of its launch, followed by a huge ₦100 million donation from music executive Don Jazzy.
He then claimed ₦180 million of that money was missing because he was hacked. However, in late December 2024, VDM revealed that his previous claim regarding ₦180 million missing from his NGO account was a “fabricated stunt.” According to him, he just wanted to highlight the dangers of trusting unverified media reports, and he assured everyone that all donations had remained secure.
When it comes to political affiliation, VDM is quite neutral, but he seems to have his own set of political theories.
Although sympathetic in calling for government action, even joining the protest, after the killings in Benue. He also has a knack for travelling to embattled Nigerian states in crisis to show what’s going on. VDM reportedly told the people of Jos to ‘protect themselves’ through Vigilante groups as the government won’t following the recent crisis.
His NGO, the MVOI reportedly operates a public financial tracking system, providing real-time bank statements and donation logs on its website.
In July 2025, the MVOI funded borehole installations in the Dibilli community, Ghana, to alleviate water scarcity. In April 2025, Otse reportedly donated ₦20 million through the MVOI to NAPTIP for the rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked Nigerian girls, leading to the successful repatriation of 70 girls, aided by Air Peace’s complimentary flight services.
The board overseeing the disbursement of the funds are not listed on his website.
It’s always interesting to see a man get famous and rich because he decided to switch on his camera. From Burna Boy, Davido to Victor Osimhen, he moves from the Nigerian elite, that’s what they call a “grace to grace” story.
From drinking pure water to buying luxury cars and riding private jets, 32 year old VDM is proof that freedom fighters don’t have to live in penury.
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