Popular Nigerian comedian and actor Bright Okpocha, widely known as Basketmouth, has warned estranged couples against airing their marital problems on social media platforms, emphasising the potential long-term psychological damage such public disclosures could inflict on their children.
The entertainer, who publicly confirmed the dissolution of his own marriage in 2023, made the appeal in a video shared with his 7.8 million Instagram followers on Monday, as the public spat between actress Regina Daniels and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, continues to dominate Nigerian social media conversations.
“Families have had problems since the beginning of time,” Basketmouth said in the video. “I also had issues in my marriage, but I never brought them online to share details.”
The comedian highlighted what he described as an alarming trend of couples using social media as a battleground for personal disputes, noting that such behaviour fails to consider the lasting impact on children who will eventually encounter these public records.
“They forget that their children will grow up and see these things online. Their children’s friends might use these details against them and damage their emotional well-being,” he explained.
His intervention comes amid a highly publicised disagreement between Daniels and Nwoko, which has sparked widespread debate across Nigerian social media platforms and traditional media outlets over the past week.
Directly addressing the politician, Basketmouth urged restraint and maturity befitting his position. “Senator, you are an elder. If nobody will tell you, I will. Every day this matter gets worse. Handle it with the maturity expected of your office,” he stated.
The comedian’s remarks have resonated with many Nigerians, triggering conversations about privacy, dignity and responsible social media use in an era where personal disputes increasingly play out in the digital public square.
According to recent data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, the country has over 122 million active internet users as of 2024, with social media platforms serving as primary channels for information dissemination and public discourse. However, mental health professionals have repeatedly warned about the psychological consequences of public family disputes, particularly on children who may face bullying or stigmatisation.
Basketmouth’s call for discretion reflects a growing concern amongst relationship counsellors and child psychologists about the permanence of digital content. Posts, videos and comments shared during emotional conflicts remain accessible indefinitely, creating what experts describe as a “digital footprint” that can haunt families for generations.
The comedian himself experienced marital challenges before confirming his separation from his ex-wife, Elsie Okpocha, after 12 years of marriage. Despite the breakdown of his relationship, Basketmouth maintained a relatively private approach, choosing not to divulge intimate details publicly—a stance he now advocates for others.
“Every day this matter gets worse,” he reiterated in his video, appealing to both parties in the Nwoko-Daniels dispute to consider the welfare of their children above the desire for public validation or vindication.
His message has generated thousands of reactions across Instagram, Twitter and other platforms, with numerous users commending his maturity and wisdom. Many Nigerians have shared their own experiences of growing up with publicly documented parental conflicts, describing feelings of embarrassment and emotional distress.
