AY Makun Urges Nigerians to Stop Competing with Fake Social Media Lifestyles
Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has cautioned Nigerians against the growing culture of comparison on social media, describing much of what people see online as “staged” and “unreal.”
In a video shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, AY addressed the pressure many feel to measure up to the glamorous lives they encounter online. He explained that social media often functions as a “movie set,” where people showcase edited moments rather than genuine experiences.
According to him, the luxury vacations, designer outfits, and expensive cars displayed on various platforms rarely reflect reality. AY revealed that some influencers and celebrities even go as far as borrowing clothes, cars, or posing in hotel lobbies to appear successful.
“Many of these celebrities you envy are living on borrowed wigs, borrowed outfits, and borrowed lifestyles,” he said. “Some take pictures in hotel lobbies and call them their new homes, while others pose with cars that don’t belong to them.”
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to compare their lives with what they see online, stressing that personal growth and authenticity are more valuable than superficial validation.
“Social media is like a movie set; not everything you see is real,” AY emphasized. “Grow at your own pace, stay true to yourself, and choose contentment over comparison.”
The comedian’s message has sparked widespread reactions among fans and fellow entertainers, many of whom agree that the constant pursuit of online validation continues to fuel anxiety and unrealistic expectations among young people.
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