Nigerian content creator Asherkine has rejected claims that one of his recent viral videos, showing him flying a young canteen worker to South Africa, was scripted.
The influencer, whose real name is Akinyemi Omotayo, is known for creating feel-good videos where he surprises strangers with gifts, cash and luxury experiences, often through brand partnerships.
The video at the centre of the controversy features Chiamaka Clare, a 21-year-old who said she works at a local canteen in Ogun State, where Omotayo first approached her.
In the footage, the influencer strikes up a conversation with Clare and later invites her on a post-Valentine’s outing in Lagos after she mentions she had spent the day working. At one point, she calls her mother to ask for permission before leaving with him.
The pair are later seen travelling to Lagos, where Clare goes on a shopping spree and dinner outing. The surprise escalates when Omotayo tells her he will be flying her to South Africa.
Clips from the trip show the two enjoying luxury experiences, including nightlife outings and a helicopter ride.
However, as the video spread online, some social media users began questioning whether the encounter was genuine. Critics argued the scenes appeared too polished and started reviewing Clare’s social media accounts.
Some posts circulating online claimed she works as a model and interior designer and had previously travelled outside Nigeria, claims that fueled speculation that the “canteen worker” storyline may have been staged.
Others suggested her comfort in high-end environments and her reactions in the video did not seem typical of someone experiencing such moments for the first time.
Responding to the backlash on X, Omotayo dismissed the claims. “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 out that Clare has family in Lagos, making the situation plausible. “This person has a sister living in Lagos. It’s a two-hour drive and she’s 21,” he added.
Omotayo further explained that the video did not unfold in a single day, as some viewers assumed.
“Most of my videos follow the progression of a day, but this one spanned over a week after our first meeting,” he said.
Reflecting on his early days, Omotayo said he began creating content as a teenager while studying at the University of Lagos, filming entertainers and events as he tried to build a career.
He later went on to work with Nigerian music stars including Olamide and Asake.
Despite the criticism, the influencer says he has no plans to change his style of content. Over time, he has built a large online following through videos showing him surprising everyday Nigerians, from students to street workers, with cash gifts, shopping sprees and other acts of generosity.
