Nigerian singer Fola has finally explained the circumstances surrounding his viral final-year project defence photo that sparked controversy on social media months ago, after he was criticised for allegedly dressing inappropriately for an academic exercise at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The rising Afrobeats and Afro-R&B singer, whose real name is Folarin Odunlami, said he went straight to school from the airport after arriving from Canada because he wanted to defend his project in person.
Speaking on the controversy, Fola said: “That viral picture of me defending my project in mufti was taken right after I landed from Canada. I drove straight to school from the airport because I wanted to do the defense myself.”
Explaining how he was allowed to proceed with the academic exercise despite the outfit that generated reactions online, the singer added: “I showed my lecturer my flight ticket, and he allowed me to do the defense.”
His clarification has reignited conversations on X, formerly Twitter, with Nigerians sharing different opinions about his explanation, the timing of his response and the controversy that followed the viral pictures.
How Singer Fola ’s UNILAG Project Defence Photo Sparked Controversy
The controversy began months ago when pictures and videos of Fola arriving at the University of Lagos for his final-year project defence circulated online.
The singer, who reportedly studied in the Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Education, was seen wearing baggy trousers, a shirt, a scarf and accessories as he arrived on campus in a Cadillac Escalade.
His appearance triggered debate, with some social media users questioning whether the university had relaxed its dress code because of his celebrity status.
Others argued that ordinary students could face difficulties defending their projects over dressing, while the singer appeared to have proceeded without any publicly reported objection.
However, there was no official confirmation that UNILAG had found his outfit to be a dress code violation or granted him special treatment.
Singer Fola ’s latest explanation offers his account of why he arrived at the defence in the outfit, saying he had travelled from Canada and went directly to school to complete the exercise himself.
Nigerians React As singer Fola Finally Clears The Air
Following the singer’s clarification, Nigerians took to X to react, with some questioning the timing of his explanation while others defended his decision to proceed with his project defence.
Reacting to his claim that his lecturer allowed him to defend his project after seeing his flight ticket, @FOWOBI OF LAGOS (@FowobiofL…) wrote: “Why they no go allow you, potential brown envelope is waiting to be collected.”
Meanwhile, @Faceless (@Faceless_ng) appeared to question why the singer’s decision to defend his project himself was being made an issue, writing: “He wanted to do the defense himself, who else could have done it for him”
On his appearance, @Okiking | Media | Aviation (@okiking…) commented: “Looking sharp.”
Similarly, @ATEE..LIKEEHATE (@tutozee_wave) reacted to the demands associated with being a celebrity, saying: “Celebrity life e no easy.”
Another user, @Samuel Oluwafemi (@Dospage1), suggested that the situation might have been different for someone without the singer’s circumstances, writing: “If its in Nigeria deybwill frustrate him”
Offering words of encouragement, @Saheedly (@UTD_Sidoff) wrote: “You do t need validation from anyone do your thing”
However, @Heis CROWN (@Adejare_szn) focused on the timing of the clarification, commenting: “See time wey he just Dey clear air”
Taking a broader view of the controversy, @BROTHER_KO (@KOparati) argued that Nigerians sometimes magnify minor issues, writing: “Nigeria will blow little things out of proportion”
Watch the video of singer Fola ‘s interview here:
“That viral picture of me defending my project in mufti was taken right after I landed from Canada. I drove straight to school from the airport because I wanted to do the defense myself. I showed my lecturer my flight ticket, and he allowed me to do the defense”
— Fola https://t.co/OxQhXvU5lZ
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 22, 2026
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