…As car spotters thrive on Lagos streets
…Celebrities raise alarm over rising tide of online begging
By Sodiq Adelakun and Obasola Olatunde
As the cost of living rises and jobs remain scarce, a new generation of Nigerian youth is turning to social media as a path out of poverty. Across Lagos and other major cities, young men and women are harnessing attention, creativity, and online followings to carve out livelihoods, hoping to claim a share of the nation’s ₦7.3 trillion digital economy.
On weekday mornings in Lekki, small groups gather at street corners, eyes sharp, phones ready, and energy high. When a tinted G-Wagon or gleaming Bentley approaches, they spring into action, not in fear, but with intention.
They are not thieves or touts. They are car spotters, young Nigerians who have turned their fascination with luxury vehicles into viral content, online fame, and in some cases, income.
Once dismissed as idle youths, they are now small-scale celebrities on TikTok and Instagram. Their routine is simple: film exotic cars, cheer their owners, upload the clips, and watch the numbers climb, the views, likes, followers.
Among the most recognised is Lekki Street Boy, whose journey began with a single viral video.
“I used to hang around the street watching cars. One day I filmed Davido’s G-Wagon and posted it. It went viral. People started following me, and I realised I could make something out of it,” he recalled.
What began as casual admiration has grown into a structured street economy. Spotters now work in zones across Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi, operating with clear schedules, backup batteries, and upload strategies.
Another familiar face, Santa of Lagos, captured their ethos: “We’re not lazy; we just turned the street into our studio. Before, people called us touts. Now we’re influencers. We get invited to car shows, and some celebrities even send us money.”
The most remarkable story belongs to Ola of Lagos, once mocked for chasing cars through traffic. Today, he owns a luxury car dealership and partners with top brands.
“People laughed at me when I started. They said I was wasting my time. But that same thing made me who I am,” he said in an interview.
Alongside this street phenomenon, another trend has taken hold across the country.
Begging, once limited to traffic lights and bus stops, now thrives online. On TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), countless young Nigerians share emotional videos of hardship, display their account numbers, and appeal for help from followers.
Even Lekki Street Boy, after rising through car spotting, found a second wave of fame through humorous, pity-themed videos. What began as light-hearted content soon became profitable, with supporters sending money and gifts.
Some call it resourceful. Others see it as desperation turned into performance.
A motorist in Lekki Phase 1 put it plainly: “They’re not spotting cars anymore; they’re spotting money. Each time you park, they rush to your window saying, ‘Baba, bless us!’ It’s not admiration anymore; it’s business.”
This evolving hustle, part street, part online, blurs the boundaries between creativity and survival. Dozens of imitators have emerged, some using humour, others fabricating hardship or illness to attract donations.
Celebrities, too, are expressing concern. Actor and content creator Idowu Adeyemi, known as Yhemolee, recently voiced frustration over the flood of online appeals.
“Social media is no longer fun,” he said in a viral post. “Each time you upload a photo, people drop their account numbers. Some even write emotional stories to make you feel guilty enough to send them money. It’s becoming embarrassing.”
The fame of figures like Ola and Lekki Street Boy has inspired many, but beneath the excitement lies a sobering reality. Most of these young men are unemployed graduates or dropouts striving to remain relevant in an unforgiving economy.
Car spotting, once spontaneous, now follows structure. Spotters divide territories, set recording hours, and plan uploads meticulously. Their toolkit is basic: a smartphone, a power bank, and steady internet access.
Behind the glamour, however, is a daily struggle. Many survive on occasional tips from celebrities or small brand deals when videos go viral. On quiet days, they go hungry.
Timilehin, one of the spotters, described what keeps him going.
“We’re not criminals. We just want to be seen and make something out of nothing. If you see the way people react when we post videos, you’ll know this thing makes people happy. That’s something.”
Social media has amplified their reach, blending excitement, admiration, and Lagos chaos into viral entertainment. Some clips have racked up millions of views, elevating these men from street corners to screens across Nigeria.
Yet, the world of car spotting remains unstable. Without regulation or backing, it exists in a grey area, half art form, half survival tactic. Many have faced police harassment or public suspicion, especially when mistaken for criminals chasing vehicles.
Despite the odds, they endure. Their drive, as Lagos-based broadcaster Daddy Freeze observed, could be channelled constructively.
“Car spotting is an industry in other parts of the world. If organised properly, it could become a genuine source of income for young Nigerians. They’re creative; all they need is structure and support,” he remarked.
For now, Lagos is their stage, its roads their red carpet. These young men may not wear suits or work in offices, yet their grind embodies the city’s restless spirit. They have transformed curiosity into content, struggle into spotlight, and chaos into opportunity.
