Content creator and influencer, Asherkine, whose real name is Akinyemi Omotayo, has responded to criticism over a viral video in which he flew a canteen worker he met in Ogun State to South Africa.
The creator, known for filming videos in which he helps strangers with money, gifts, and experiences, often sponsored by brands, came under scrutiny after social media users alleged that the encounters were staged.
In the video, a 21-year-old woman identified as Chiamaka Clare claimed she worked at a local canteen in Ogun State, where Asherkine first met her.
During the interaction, the influencer asked to speak with her after work and later invited her on a Post Valentine’s Day date in Lagos after she revealed she had spent the day working.
Clare was seen calling her mother to seek permission before leaving with him.
The video showed the pair travelling to Lagos, where she was taken on a shopping spree at several stores and later to a restaurant for dinner. Asherkine also surprised her with gifts while celebrating a belated Valentine’s outing.
In a further twist, the influencer told her he would be flying her to South Africa, a moment that left the young woman emotional.
Clips from the trip showed the pair enjoying activities including clubbing, helicopter rides and other luxury experiences in the city.
However, shortly after the video was posted online, social media users began analysing the footage and questioning its authenticity.
Some users claimed the encounter appeared scripted and began digging through Clare’s social media accounts, alleging that her lifestyle online did not match the portrayal of a random canteen worker.
Posts circulating online also suggested she works as a model and interior designer and had recently travelled outside Nigeria.
The debate intensified after users argued that her familiarity with luxury settings and her reaction to meeting the influencer appeared inconsistent with someone unfamiliar with his content.
Responding to the criticism in a post on X on Tuesday, Asherkine defended the video and dismissed claims that the story was fabricated.
“I may understand that a bunch of people cannot fathom a young adult living and working in Ogun State, trying to make a way for themselves because she ‘looks too good’ for such a job,” he wrote.
He added that the woman’s family connections in Lagos made the interaction plausible.
“This person has a sister living in Lagos, it’s a 2 hr drive & She’s 21, I have cousins in Ogun state,” he said.
The content creator also said the viral video was not filmed in a single day as some users suggested.
“I understand that most of my videos span through the progression of a day but this video spanned over a week after our first meet. I’m unsure how it looks like a 48hr livestream,” he added.
Asherkine further reflected on his own journey into content creation, stating that he began filming entertainers while still a teenager in an effort to build a career.
“I was 17 filming entertainers at events just to ‘chase something’ from UNILAG. I was exactly 20 after grad juggling Ikotun & Chevron to be with Yhemolee, Asake and Ashidapo to document everything I could,” he wrote.
He added that his work later led to opportunities to film music stars, including Olamide and Asake.
The creator insisted he would not allow criticism to undermine the videos he produces.
Asherkine has built a large following online through videos showing him surprising strangers across Nigeria with cash gifts, shopping sprees, school fee payments and other acts of generosity.
His content often features interactions with everyday Nigerians such as students, street workers and transport operators.
