Nigerian singer Fido has broken his silence after months of backlash and controversy that trailed his rapid rise in the music industry.
The artist, whose real name is Awosika Olayemi, shared an emotional statement on X on February 23, 2026, openly admitting that he mishandled certain situations while navigating sudden fame.
“There’s no easy way to write this, so I’ll just say it plainly. I messed up,” he wrote.
Fido explained that his breakthrough happened almost overnight, leaving him unprepared for the intense spotlight and pressure that followed.
“Stardom came into my life quickly. One minute I was dreaming about it, the next minute I was living it. And while the world was watching me grow, I was still trying to understand who I was inside that growth,” he said.
His apology comes after a series of public disputes that shaped much of his 2025 narrative. In August 2025, he accused his former label, Inner Circle Entertainment, of financial mismanagement. According to Fido, 95 percent of a $20,000 advance for his breakout hit “Awolowo” was withheld, leaving him with roughly N1.5 million. He also alleged that he was denied access to detailed financial records and transparency regarding earnings.
Beyond label disputes, Fido also faced criticism for comments suggesting he built his career entirely on his own with divine guidance, a statement some interpreted as dismissive of early supporters and industry contributors.
The tension escalated further when he became entangled in online fan rivalries between supporters of Wizkid and Davido. During a live session, he used the phrase “Osakpolor FC,” which many perceived as a jab at Davido’s 30BG fanbase. The remark triggered intense trolling and widespread criticism across social media.
In his recent message, Fido acknowledged that ego and inexperience influenced his behavior.
“Along the way, I made mistakes. I said things that should never have been said. I allowed ego, excitement and inexperience to influence some of my decisions. That’s not who I want to be. And it’s not who I’m becoming,” he wrote.
He extended apologies to his fans, industry colleagues, and the broader Afrobeats community.
“To my fans, the ones who stream the music, defend me, pray for me and believe in me. I am sorry,” he stated. “To the global Afrobeats community, the legends and godfathers who opened these doors before me, my colleagues and everyone who felt disappointed by my words or actions, I apologise. Truly.”
Despite the controversies, Fido’s commercial success remains undeniable. His tracks “Awolowo” and “Joy Is Coming” currently rank among the top 10 most streamed songs on Spotify Nigeria of all time, sitting at number three and number six respectively.
In 2025, his imprint Oosha Records also secured a partnership deal with global music company EMPIRE, signaling a new chapter in his career.
Now, Fido says he is choosing reflection and growth over conflict. He promises that his upcoming projects will showcase a more grounded, mature, and grateful version of himself.
“This is growth. This is maturity. This is me doing better,” he concluded. “It’s game time again.”
