The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has officially launched an investigation following public uproar over old tweets attributed to award-winning singer Simi, which allegedly referenced her time working at her mother’s daycare centre over a decade ago.
In a statement released today, the agency confirmed it is taking the matter seriously amid growing calls from Nigerians for regulatory action.
“Following recent public discussions and concerns raised regarding alleged incidents of child sexual abuse/misconduct in daycare settings in Nigeria, we are committed to thoroughly investigating credible reports,” the statement read.
NAPTIP urged anyone with factual information, direct knowledge, or evidence connected to the viral posts to come forward confidentially.
The Controversy
The storm began when screenshots of old tweets reportedly from the singer—born Simisola Kosoko—began circulating online over the weekend. The posts, allegedly made during her early days on social media approximately 14 years ago, referenced her experiences while assisting at her mother’s daycare facility.
As the screenshots gained traction across platforms, some netizens demanded that authorities step in to examine the matter, prompting the agency’s response.
Simi Breaks Silence
In a detailed response to the backlash, Simi addressed the controversy head-on, maintaining that her words have been misconstrued.
The singer explained that at 23, she was a young woman pursuing her music career while helping at her mother’s daycare, and her tweets were innocent reflections of daily life—not anything perverse.
“I haven’t been on Twitter today—but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention and I can’t not address it. 14 years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she stated.
Simi further emphasised that she has never been depraved in her life and that her fame now exposes her past expressions to broad interpretation. She noted that while her team has begun deleting some old tweets out of sensitivity for her family, she had initially been reluctant to remove them.
Industry Support
Actor Deyemi Okanlawon has publicly thrown his weight behind the singer, redirecting the conversation to what he describes as more pressing issues.
Taking to X on Monday, Okanlawon wrote: “When women say ‘STOP raping women’… Your response cannot be ‘what about men/children’ neither can it be ‘what about false accusers’ nor anything else. Your reply MUST only be YES!!! You can start your own separate conversation about anything else at another time/place.”
His comments appeared to caution against using the controversy to deflect from broader conversations about sexual violence.
What’s Next
NAPTIP has not specified a timeline for its inquiry but assured the public that credible reports would be thoroughly investigated. The agency’s involvement signals the seriousness with which Nigerian authorities are now treating online discourse, particularly when it touches on child protection issues.
As of press time, Simi had not issued further comments on the investigation, though her initial statement remains firm in denying any wrongdoing.
