If you’ve been on X (formerly Twitter) lately, chances are you’ve seen the trending comparison between Nepo baby and Lapo baby. But what do these terms mean, and why are Nigerians turning it into a viral online culture war?

The trend picked up after a post by a user named @UnkleAyo questioned the media coverage of billionaire Femi Otedola’s upcoming memoir Making It Big. The post implied that many wealthy Nigerians did not start from scratch.

“Femi Otedola is the son of Lagos’ 9th Governor, Michael Otedola. His father was a governor during the Nigerian third republic. He’s the real “old money”. There’s nothing he wants to write in a book that appeals to people like me. “making it big” una, he wrote with a laughing emoji.

From there, he took things further. In a series of posts, he began tracing the family backgrounds of some of Nigeria’s most notable figures in politics, music, and entertainment.

He claimed that Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka is related to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, saying Soyinka’s uncle was Fela’s father.

He added that Herbert Macaulay, the face on Nigeria’s N10 note, was Fela’s great-grandfather and a grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowther.

He wrote, “Because Fela dey follow una smoke Igbo, you think say na common man. No let anybody write book for you o.”

He did not stop there. He mentioned Obi Asika as the uncle of Asa Asika, Davido’s manager.

He also pointed out that both men are cousins to rapper Naeto C, whose mother, Dr. Kema Chikwe, served as Federal Minister of Transport and later Aviation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She currently serves as the National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also claimed that Obi Asika’s father, Anthony Ukpabi Asika, was the first administrator of East Central State during the Nigerian Civil War.

The thread also highlighted Bobo Ajudua, Davido’s former lawyer. It claimed that his father, Fred Ajudua, faced multiple EFCC cases in the early 2000s, while his mother, Pat Ajudua, has been in elected political office since 2007.

Since then, Nigerians have been posting memes and old photos to show the difference between people born into money and those who had to struggle.

Who is a ‘Nepo baby’?

‘Nepo’ is short for Numerous Endless Privileges & Opportunities (NEPO). So, a Nepo baby is someone who benefits from family name, money, or influence. Think celebrities or influencers who didn’t have to struggle because of who their parents are. In Nigeria, names like Davido, DJ Cuppy, or even Temi Otedola usually come up in this context.

They have access, opportunities, and connections that many others don’t. And on social media, this label now comes with both praise and mockery.

And what is a ‘Lapo baby’?

Now here’s where Nigerians got creative. Lapo baby is the street opposite of Nepo baby. The name “Lapo” means Little Access to Privileges & Opportunities (LAPO), associated with small loans and hustle life. A Lapo baby is a child who grew up with struggle, not silver spoons but plastic plates.

It’s the online shorthand for those who came from little, ate dry garri without sugar, rocked hand-me-downs, and still made it. It’s about survival, determination, and grit.

One post by @realyusufo1 said, “That ugly Lapo boy fit become Napo boy tomorrow. Don’t give up.” It captured the hope and hustle mentality that many Nigerians hold dear.

Why is this trend blowing up?

The Nepo versus Lapo trend is more than just a meme; it’s a mirror of class divisions in Nigeria. It’s humour mixed with truth. People are sharing side-by-side photos of kids eating jollof in fast food spots versus those eating eba in polythene plates.

One viral post by @realeminence read: “Lapo baby no dey use eye see opportunity,” pointing at how tough life trains you to never miss a chance.

Another person posted old photos of themselves in faded Ankara with the caption, “Nepo baby. Lapo baby. One day na one day.”

From the post, the comments, the banter, and even Cuppy’s old “Papa bought one of each” quote, it’s clear this conversation touches something deep: privilege, progress, and pride.

So, what does it really mean?

Whether you identify as a Lapo baby or Nepo baby, this trend has shown one thing: Nigerians will always find a way to mix humour with hard truths. (The Guardian)

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