Nigerian singer and Marlian Records boss Naira Marley has reignited intense debate across social media after making bold claims about alleged cultism within the Nigerian music industry, weeks after his return to the country following a prolonged legal ordeal.

The controversy began after Naira Marley took to X to mock past threats allegedly made against him and to suggest that secret societies are deeply embedded in the entertainment space. His comments came months after a Yaba Magistrate’s Court in February 2025 cleared him and several associates, including Sam Larry, of involvement in the death of former label signee MohBad, who passed away in 2023.

In a series of posts that quickly went viral, the singer wrote:

“We no reach 5 weh never join cult for this industry.

Person weh put u for cult self dey carry police escort up and down.”

In another post, he appeared to downplay earlier fears about returning to Nigeria.

“Everybody that time just dey do like if we come Naija or if they see us they will do something to us.

Enu por.”

The tweets attracted massive attention, recording over 10,000 likes and thousands of replies within hours. While Naira Marley denied any personal involvement in cultism or violence, his sweeping remarks immediately reopened long standing conversations about power, protection, and alleged secret affiliations within Afrobeats.

Reactions to the posts were sharply divided. Supporters applauded Naira Marley for what they described as honesty, arguing that cultism allegations in the industry have existed for years but are rarely addressed openly. Others, however, accused him of being insensitive, especially given the lingering pain surrounding MohBad’s death and the unresolved public trust issues that followed the case.

Many critics argued that joking about cultism trivializes a serious issue in Nigeria, where real life cult violence has claimed lives and destabilized communities. Some fans also questioned the timing of the remarks, noting that emotions around the MohBad case remain raw despite court rulings.

As of the time of reporting, no major artists or industry bodies directly referenced by the claims have issued an official response.

The discussion widened after veteran musician Terry G shared his own reaction on X. Without mentioning Naira Marley by name, Terry G posted:

“Nigerian music has turned into a cultism orchestra. A real shame.”

His statement quickly gained traction, with many interpreting it as confirmation that concerns about cult influence are not limited to fans alone. Some praised Terry G for speaking out, saying artists from earlier generations understand the evolution of the industry’s power dynamics. Others warned that such statements, without evidence, could deepen mistrust and stigma around Nigerian music.

Claims of cult affiliation within Nigeria’s creative industries are not new, but they often remain in the realm of rumor. Groups such as Eiye and Black Axe are frequently mentioned in online speculation, though concrete links to musicians are rarely proven.

Naira Marley’s comments, combined with Terry G’s reaction, have once again placed Afrobeats under a harsh spotlight, raising questions about accountability, influence, and responsibility in an industry now commanding global attention.