Odumodublvck has people talking again, this time over a request aimed at the president.

What happened

The rapper's appeal came in reply to a post on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's X account about his meeting in Paris with media executive Vincent Bolloré. Odumodublvck urged the president to go beyond taking pride in the prestige the entertainment industry has earned Nigeria and support entertainers financially. Kanyi Daily NewsSagagist

He wrote, "Baba come give boys advance from government funds." He pitched Tinubu as the "biggest label boss," handing out advances to artists. He argued this would stop artists from fighting their labels and give underground acts a real chance. He also asked the president to sign "all of us." Odumodublvck asks Tinubu to fund Nigerian artists +2

In a follow-up, he made it personal, asking to be helped to "fly high" and saying he deserves it. Streamline

He also criticised politicians

Odumodublvck used the moment to criticise Nigerian politicians over the conditions many citizens face, pointing out that some keep their families abroad. Ladun Liadi Blog

How Nigerians reacted

Reactions split quickly.

• The critics. Some fans faulted him for responding to the president's Paris meeting while staying quiet on terrorism and hardship in the country. Sagagist
• The "consistency" crowd. Others were surprised because he was previously applauded for reportedly turning down a huge fee to perform at a Tinubu campaign event. Some users also brought up Timaya's performance at the 2023 Renewed Hope Youth Concert. SagagistGistlover
• The defenders. The request divided fans within hours and drew a pointed defence from the artist himself. Supporters can argue that asking for structured funding for a creative industry is not the same as endorsing a politician. Streamline

The bigger picture

The request comes months before Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, so anything involving artists and the presidency gets read politically. Whatever you think of the ask, it raises a question the industry keeps returning to. Should government funding for artists exist, and if so, how should it work without turning into political patronage? Streamline

Our take

Odumodublvck has never been shy about speaking his mind, and that is why he gets so much attention. Some will see a bold pitch for an industry that brings in global recognition. Others will see bad timing given the wider problems in the country. Both sides have a case, and it will be interesting to see whether the presidency responds.

What do you think? Should the government fund artists directly, or is this the wrong ask at the wrong time? Tell us in the comments