Popular American streamer iShowSpeed with real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., has departed Nigeria and is now heading to the Benin Republic following intense backlash and criticism during his brief stop in Lagos as part of the “Speed Does Africa” tour.
The younger streamer landed in Nigeria to massive fanfare, with vibrant displays of culture, street energy, and local talent. The visit however quickly devolved into chaos with relentless begging, aggressive touts blocking his way, persistent clout-chasing, and content creators flocking around him for collaboration and pictures.
Online reactions poured in after videos of Speed ignoring TikTok star Peller and brushing off collaboration invites. Many saw it as disrespect while others laughed about the snub and blaming Peller’s management for handling the situation in a not too good way. Creators like Jarvis, Peller’s ex, skit maker OGB Recent and even Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage’s son Jamil was able to meet with the 21 year old streamer.
READ ALSO: Why I Do Not Want to Collaborate with Nigerian Influencers – iShowSpeed Opens Up
Speed later pushed back, explaining the tour’s true aim: “This trip is about the real Africa, the streets, communities, and raw talent that rarely get spotlighted globally,” not influencer meetups.
He described his Lagos experience as mostly “noise and shouting” without the creativity, depth, or cultural immersion he sought unlike wildlife encounters in Rwanda or Eswatini. Disappointed and unable to connect meaningfully, Speed skipped a planned second-day stream in Nigeria entirely, cutting his visit short after less than 24 hours.
