Reality TV star Kiddwaya has spoken up in defense of his former Big Brother Naija housemate and ex-girlfriend, Erica Nlewedim, after she faced heavy criticism online for struggling to speak her native Igbo language fluently.
Erica became the subject of social media attacks after a video surfaced showing her trying to converse in Igbo.
Many users accused her of being out of touch with her cultural roots, some branding her an embarrassment to the Igbo community.
Responding to the backlash, Erica aired her frustrations on X (formerly Twitter), expressing disappointment at the harsh judgment she received, especially from fellow Igbos.
“Look at my Igbo people in the comments showing how much they hate their own! Continue, but please don’t complain when others don’t show you love… You can’t be so openly divided against your own people and expect trust from outsiders!” she tweeted.
Coming to her defense, Kiddwaya tweeted a blunt but supportive message:
“If you are not making more money than Erica, then the joke is on you.”
Erica responded to Kiddwaya’s support, noting that while some people choose to ignore their real-life struggles, they find comfort in attacking a woman for something as personal as language:
“Keep ignoring your real-life problems to drag someone over language. It says more about you.”
The actress and entrepreneur, who gained fame during the BBNaija 2020 ‘Lockdown’ season, has previously explained that she was raised in an environment where Igbo was not spoken frequently, which affected her fluency.
While criticism has persisted in some quarters, many fans and public figures have since rallied behind Erica, arguing that fluency in a native dialect does not define cultural identity or personal value.
The conversation continues to highlight broader issues around language shaming, cultural expectations, and internal community support.
