“Prove Juju Works and Take ₦5 Million” – Singer Skiibii Sparks Frenzy with Bold Challenge on Spiritual Charms

In a bold and controversial statement that has sent shockwaves across social media, Nigerian singer Skiibii has offered a staggering ₦5 million reward to anyone who can prove to him that spiritual protection charms, commonly known as “odeshi” or “juju,” truly work. The singer, known for hits like Baddest Boy and Sensima, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to make the declaration, and within hours, the internet exploded with reactions ranging from amusement and support to fierce criticism and spiritual warnings.

Skiibii, whose real name is Abbey Elias, didn’t mince words in his post. "I been dey hear say odeshi dey but I never see am with my eyes cos I no believe say juju dey," he wrote. "If them stab person e no go enter ke. Haa come perform am for my front if e no enter I go give you 5 million naira." In plain terms, Skiibii is challenging anyone to demonstrate the supposed invincibility that these traditional charms claim to provide — specifically, to withstand a stabbing or physical attack unscathed — and walk away ₦5 million richer.

The challenge has sparked intense debates online, not only about the existence and efficacy of spiritual fortification but also about the dangers of such a public dare. While many of Skiibii’s fans found the post hilarious and praised him for his “realist” mindset, others were deeply unsettled. Some warned that mocking traditional spiritual practices — regardless of personal belief — could provoke dangerous, unseen consequences. Others expressed concern that someone might actually attempt to prove the charm’s power in a reckless or violent way, all in pursuit of the cash prize.

Yet, as controversial as Skiibii’s post was, it also pulled back the curtain on a centuries-old topic that still thrives in whispers and shadows in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Spiritual protection charms are widely believed to make individuals invulnerable to harm — especially from weapons — and are often associated with native doctors, cults, or traditionalists. Stories of bulletproof skin, unbreakable bones, and invincible warriors have been passed down through generations, but rarely do such claims receive a modern-day challenge as public and audacious as this one.

For many, the fascination with “odeshi” lies in its mystery. Countless Nollywood films have glamorized the concept, depicting scenes where characters walk through gunfire or survive machete blows with no scratch. In certain regions, young men claim to wear rings or amulets that make them untouchable, and there are even reports of criminals using such charms as protection during armed robberies or cult clashes. However, these accounts are usually anecdotal, unverifiable, or end in tragic failure. Still, the belief in their potency persists.

Skiibii’s tweet has ignited a fresh storm of testimonies from believers and skeptics alike. Some users have come forward to share tales of family members or acquaintances who allegedly survived deadly attacks due to spiritual fortification. Others, however, narrated how people who thought they were protected by charms met their untimely end when reality struck harder than their faith.

A few spiritualists and native doctors have also joined the conversation, claiming they could demonstrate the power of odeshi to Skiibii — under specific conditions and rituals. One self-proclaimed herbalist posted a video claiming, “I go do am for you live. Just give me time and place. But you must swear say you go pay if you see say na real.” Whether Skiibii will take any of these respondents seriously remains to be seen, but his post has already created a marketplace of mystics hoping to cash in on the challenge.

There’s also the legal and moral aspect of this situation. Several social commentators have raised red flags about the safety risks involved in a challenge that involves physical harm. What if someone genuinely tries to get stabbed to prove their spiritual protection, and things go terribly wrong? Some have called on Skiibii to retract the challenge before someone gets hurt, while others insist that he has every right to question age-old beliefs using his platform.

Ironically, this isn’t the first time a Nigerian celebrity has stirred controversy with statements about traditional beliefs. Over the years, several public figures have openly criticized or dismissed practices like juju, spiritual baths, or charms — only to be hit with backlash from followers who see such traditions as sacred. Skiibii’s case, however, hits harder because of the money attached to it and the very physical nature of the demonstration he’s requesting.

Still, Skiibii appears unfazed by the whirlwind his tweet has caused. He has not deleted the post or issued any clarifications as of press time. His fans continue to flood his comment section with jokes, memes, and some warnings to tread carefully with matters of the unseen. "Dem go use you do test-run o," one user warned. "No allow spiritual people vex for you."

Whether anyone takes up Skiibii’s challenge seriously, or if it remains an internet stunt, only time will tell. What’s clear is that his tweet has reopened a deep societal wound — one that balances between folklore and fear, culture and controversy, faith and facts. As Nigerians continue to debate the realities of spiritual protection and the implications of trying to test them, Skiibii may have unknowingly started a national conversation far bigger than a tweet or even five million naira.

In the end, Skiibii’s challenge isn’t just about proving whether odeshi works. It’s about confronting the blurred line between tradition and truth, and daring an entire culture to examine what it truly believes — and at what cost.