Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Bright Okpocha, widely known as Basketmouth, has cautioned young people about the deceptive nature of social media. Speaking on the CreativiTEA podcast, Basketmouth addressed the growing trend of chasing fame through bad publicity, warning that it’s a risky shortcut to relevance.

“Bad publicity is bad publicity. People are blinded by the fact that it’s working for someone else. Don’t ever be deceived by what you see on social media. Most of what you see is fake,” he emphasized. “They are trying to make you fake. People will talk about you for a few weeks, and that’s it.”

Basketmouth stressed the dangers of seeking fame without understanding the process behind building a lasting career.

“Many people are only focused on becoming famous, without caring how they get there. But what is your brand equity?” he asked, urging young people to think long-term. “Can you sustain what you’ve achieved in two weeks for twenty years? What do you really have to offer? What kind of brand do you want to represent?”

He underscored that fleeting attention is not worth sacrificing authenticity and long-term value, encouraging listeners to prioritize substance over superficial fame.

Drawing from his own experiences, Basketmouth reflected on the importance of inner joy in navigating disappointments.

“There were times I let external setbacks drown me, but the most important thing is joy in your heart. Even in debt, you can still have joy,” he shared.

He concluded with a motivational message on the power of human potential and faith.

“We humans are like gods. That faith you carry is your superpower. If you wake up feeling joy and peace, use that energy to start creating and thinking about what you can achieve.”