Wizkid vs Davido: Iyanya’s “Maroya” Typo Sets Social Media on Fire

Nigerian Afrobeats star Iyanya found himself in hot water again this week—not for a new song or controversial interview, but for a simple spelling error that ignited a fresh wave of online drama in the never-ending Wizkid vs Davido fan war. While attempting to play peacemaker in the ongoing debate over artist allegiance, Iyanya mistakenly referred to Wizkid’s tribute album Morayo—named in honour of the singer's late mother—as Maroya, a typo that social media users immediately seized upon.

The incident started when a user on X (formerly Twitter) accused Iyanya of switching camps, claiming he had abandoned his long-standing support for Wizkid in favour of openly endorsing Davido. Responding to the accusation, Iyanya tried to set the record straight, explaining that he supports and listens to all artists equally. “I played Wizkid’s Made in Lagos and Maroya, the same way I play every other artiste songs,” he tweeted, unknowingly setting off a firestorm with one simple misspelling.

What might have been a minor typo in another context instantly became ammunition in the heated rivalry between the fan bases of the two Afrobeats titans. Iyanya’s reference to Maroya rather than Morayo was interpreted by many Wizkid loyalists—famously known as FC—as either a deliberate snub or evidence that the singer isn’t as familiar with Wizkid’s work as he claims.

The responses were swift, savage, and laced with the brand of humor and sarcasm that characterizes Nigerian Twitter. One user, @Gwan_123, mocked, “Maroya? You go just know say na on mute e play am.” Another, @Rozaycharm_, laughed, “Shey you know say you don unknowingly drop new banter material for 30Bingos?”—a cheeky jab referring to Davido’s loyal fan base. The situation only escalated from there, with users turning Iyanya’s mistake into a meme-worthy moment.

@The_Good didn’t mince words, tweeting, “Imagine you turn Big Wiz late lovely mum name Morayo to Maroya… you clearly know what you are doing, God go punish you.” Others took a more humorous approach, with @Dizmarviz joking, “Maroya the greatest I ever made. Thank you @Iyanya, you just gave us new ingredients for this cooking… This week go long.”

Sensing the backlash spiraling out of control, Iyanya quickly attempted damage control by quoting his original post and correcting the spelling to Morayo. But as is often the case on social media, once the frenzy starts, it’s almost impossible to stop. Even after setting the record straight, the dragging continued. “No worry, we understand. Even me sef no dey remember that album name. The album too useless,” quipped @Kellybonito_, stoking the fire with playful disrespect.

Perhaps the most telling comment came once again from @The_Good, who offered a backhanded olive branch: “Thanks for the correction and coming back to your senses, we forgive you… no artists way go fuck with Wiz way we FC nor fit put for he place.”

It’s clear that in the highly charged world of Nigerian pop culture, even a simple spelling mistake can have major repercussions. What makes this moment particularly noteworthy is not just the typo itself, but the way it encapsulates the intensity of loyalty among fan bases. To the casual observer, “Maroya” might seem like an innocent autocorrect fail, but to Wizkid’s fans, it bordered on sacrilege. After all, Morayo isn’t just an album—it’s a deeply personal project dedicated to Wizkid’s mother, and for many, getting her name wrong felt like crossing a line.

Iyanya’s attempt to remain neutral in the perpetual Wizkid-Davido feud only added fuel to the fire. In trying to show he listens to both artists, he ended up offending one camp and providing fresh ammo for the other. And in a digital landscape where fans are constantly watching for any sign of bias or betrayal, such mistakes are rarely forgiven quickly.

Still, it’s worth noting that Iyanya’s intent may have been genuine. In an industry where collaborations and friendships are often fluid, artists can easily become collateral damage in fan wars they never signed up for. Unfortunately, perception matters more than intention on social media, and in this case, perception painted Iyanya as either careless or disingenuous.

This latest episode is a reminder of just how high the stakes have become in Nigeria’s music industry. With every tweet, post, or comment, artists risk being drawn into battles that have little to do with their music and everything to do with how fans choose to interpret their words. In the end, Iyanya’s typo may fade from memory, but for now, “Maroya” has earned an unexpected place in the ever-growing lore of Afrobeats pop culture—a moment of harmless error turned viral controversy.

One thing is certain: in the ever-bubbling pot of Nigerian entertainment, nothing goes unnoticed, not even a missing vowel.