Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has fired back at critics who questioned her decision to undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift surgery months after the death of her sister.
She described most Nigerians as hypocrites during an Instagram livestream on Saturday.
Phyna recently underwent a BBL and 360 Lipo surgery, sharing a post-surgery video that quickly went viral. She captioned the clip: “Finally did it. No regrets.”
The reality star and influencer dismissed accusations that getting the cosmetic procedure showed disrespect for her late sister, Ruth Otabor. She insisted that she had grieved privately and did not owe the public a performance of her pain.
“I just woke up, but I want to quickly come and address something. Sorry, I have to say most Nigerians are hypocrites. And I have a lot of miserable people in my comment section,” she said.
Phyna insisted that her grief was real but personal.
“I don’t grieve my sister online. She will always remain in my heart. But one thing people will never see is me come online to cry and post that I miss my sister,” she said.
She also warned critics not to drag her late sister into online controversy.
“Don’t try to bring my sister’s death into this. I lost a sister. I lost one of my favourite siblings. And it is none of your damn business,” she said.
Phyna defended her parents, noting that the family resumed normal life from September 1, the day after Ruth was laid to rest on August 31.
“People will bury and move on the next day. They moved on on the 1st. Like, they don’t stop living,” she said, urging the public to extend the same understanding to her.
She also took aim at social commentator VeryDarkMan, denying claims that she received ₦1 billion from the Dangote Group in connection with her sister’s death.
“When a person says they gave me one billion, I did not do the BBL for that. I just don’t want to address it, but I keep seeing it in my feed and it is disgusting,” she said.
On her surgery and her plans to flaunt the results, Phyna was unapologetic.
“I have been learning how to catwalk. I got new outfits that will show my breasts, my tummy, everything. People should use all their weapons now. Small, small. I am coming,” she said.
She also credited online criticism of her body for pushing her towards the procedure.
“Thank you for dragging the stomach. Thank you so much. And now I actually like it,” she said.
Ruth died on August 31, 2025, after battling injuries sustained in a road accident involving a Dangote truck near Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State. The crash left her with one leg amputated, while the other was also at risk, alongside head and hand injuries.
The accident had occurred on August 13, just six days after Ruth graduated from Auchi Polytechnic.
The Dangote Group had covered all medical and financial costs since the incident and had arranged for Ruth to be flown to India for advanced treatment, pending medical clearance, before she passed away.
Prior to Ruth’s death, Phyna and VeryDarkMan had clashed publicly over the handling of the case. The activist accused Phyna of demanding ₦1 billion from Dangote as compensation and alleged she held a meeting with the conglomerate’s representatives without his knowledge. Phyna denied the claims and branded him a manipulator.
The livestream drew divided reactions online, with supporters praising her right to move forward and critics faulting the timing and tone of her comments. Phyna appeared unbothered, signing off with a warning to her detractors.
“Don’t use all your weapons now. Small, small. I am coming,” she said.
