If you’ve been on Nigerian social media in the last two years, chances are you’ve stumbled on one of VeryDarkMan’s fiery videos. Real name Martins Vincent Otse, he’s the young man with the bold voice, a signature “suku” hairstyle, and zero fear of calling out the powerful. Love him or hate him, he has forced himself into conversations about corruption, fake lifestyles, and even government failures.
So, who exactly is VeryDarkMan, and why does his name keep trending alongside people like Bobrisky, Phyna, and Izzy Ogbeide? Let’s break it down.
Early Life and Age
Born on April 8, 1994, in Kaduna, Nigeria, Martins Otse is now 31 years old. He later moved to Lagos and studied Business Administration at the University of Lagos. Not much is known about his private life, but from the way he talks, you can tell he didn’t grow up with a silver spoon. His sharp tongue and no-nonsense approach clearly come from personal struggles.
How He Became Popular
Around 2022, VeryDarkMan started posting short videos online, calling out celebrities for what he described as “fake lifestyles” and “misleading the youth.” His delivery was raw, sometimes messy, but Nigerians loved it. By 2023, superstar Davido even threw his weight behind him, calling him a fearless voice. From then on, his follower count on Instagram and TikTok exploded.
In 2024, he got nominated for “Most Influential Social Media Influencer of the Year” at the Silverbird Awards. Clearly, the boy had arrived.
VeryDarkMan NGO
To take his activism beyond rants, he set up an NGO. The idea was to fight corruption, support young people, and tackle injustice. But in typical VDM fashion, controversy followed.
At one point, he claimed ₦180 million had been stolen from the NGO’s account. Nigerians dragged him left, right, and center. Later, he admitted he cooked up the story just to see people’s reaction. Whether you call it smart or deceptive, one thing is sure—he knows how to keep people talking.
His Clash With Bobrisky
This one deserves its own movie.
In 2024, VDM dropped an audio tape where Bobrisky allegedly bragged about bribing EFCC officials with ₦15 million and serving his jail time in comfort. The internet caught fire. Bobrisky didn’t take it lightly—he slammed him with a ₦1 billion lawsuit for defamation.
VDM’s reply? A counter lawsuit of ₦1,000,000,020. Yes, he added extra “20 naira” just to mock the whole situation. That’s his style—loud, sarcastic, and unapologetic.
Things got so messy that lawmakers in Abuja even discussed the matter, though EFCC denied the bribery claims. Bobrisky later admitted he once laughed at VDM’s arrest but deleted his post “out of compassion.” Still, their feud remains one of the biggest influencer battles Nigeria has seen.
The Viral Showdown With Izzy Ogbeide
Another name that has popped up with VDM is Izzy Ogbeide. Their clash didn’t go as deep as the Bobrisky saga, but it went viral online. VDM called him out, Nigerians picked sides, and timelines were on fire for days. That’s the pattern with him—he rarely picks small fights.
Phyna and VeryDarkMan’s Complicated Friendship
Big Brother Naija winner Phyna has been one of VDM’s strongest celebrity supporters. She stood by him during his fight with Bobrisky, saying she was only against oppression and corruption.
VDM appreciated her support, even jokingly inviting her out for a “groundnut soup and starch” date after he appeared at the House of Reps. Cute, right?
But things took a sad turn in September 2025 when Phyna lost her sister in a Dangote truck accident. VDM was one of the loudest voices online, blasting the government and media for not paying enough attention to her family’s pain.
Later, Phyna met with Dangote Group reps without telling him, and VDM felt betrayed. She ended up crying on social media, apologizing and saying: “If I offended you, I’m sorry… I still need you in this case.” Their friendship shows the mix of loyalty, drama, and emotion that follows him everywhere.
Legal Problems and GTBank Case
VDM has also spent a good part of his activism journey in and out of police stations.
• Cyberbullying charges: He has been arrested several times for allegedly defaming Nollywood stars like Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.
• Impersonation case: In late 2024, he was accused of pretending to be a police officer.
• GTBank drama: In May 2025, he accused GTBank of taking money illegally from his mother’s account. Instead of solving the issue, he was arrested on cyberstalking charges.
These arrests, rather than silence him, only made his fanbase more loyal. Many Nigerians now see him as a target of powerful people who want him to shut up.
VeryDarkMan on Instagram
If you want to see him unfiltered, head to VeryDarkMan’s Instagram. That’s where he drops most of his rants, often going viral within minutes. His style is unique—no filters, no sugarcoating. Just raw talk, mixed with his iconic suku hairstyle and a bold personality.
Conclusion
So, who is VeryDarkMan? He’s a 31-year-old activist, critic, and influencer who has shaken up Nigeria’s digital space. From his NGO controversies to feuds with Bobrisky, viral fights with Izzy Ogbeide, and his emotional friendship with Phyna, he has mastered the art of staying in the spotlight.
Whether he’s battling GTBank, trending on Instagram, or fighting lawsuits, one thing is certain—VeryDarkMan is not afraid to speak, and Nigerians are not afraid to listen.