Veteran Nigerian actor and filmmaker Bob-Manuel Udokwu has opened up on why he deliberately stays away from heated social media discussions, saying he prefers to observe online conversations from a distance rather than engage in what he describes as “noise.”
In a post shared on his Instagram page, the respected Nollywood figure explained that social media discourse in Nigeria has become increasingly exhausting, often dominated by trends and arguments that add little or no value to everyday life.
According to him, many of the topics that go viral online do not reflect the real struggles Nigerians face on a daily basis, yet they continue to attract massive attention, consuming both time and data.
Bob-Manuel also expressed concern over the rise in online trolling and constant criticism, noting that the environment has become toxic for meaningful engagement and constructive dialogue.
He added that the pressure and negativity surrounding online conversations were part of the reasons he chose to remain silent and observe rather than participate actively in discussions.
Despite his long-standing distance from online debates, the actor revealed that he may become more active going forward due to repeated requests from fans who want to see more of his presence on social media.
Quoting his statement, he wrote:
“Social media has become something else in Nigeria. Most times, things that have little or no relevance to the day-to-day struggles of the people go viral and consume valuable time and data from the same traumatised people!”
“It baffles me! Too much dragging and trolling everywhere! I really don’t regret my choice to stay quiet and read from the sidelines while the job is done… However, due to popular demand, I will be more active in posting and engaging my fans from now on.”
His remarks have since sparked reactions online, with many users agreeing with his perspective on the state of social media culture in Nigeria, while others welcomed his decision to become more interactive with fans.
