You know what makes VeryDarkMan’s story so compelling? He’s the activist who went from selling explicit content to survive, to becoming one of Nigeria’s most feared social critics—someone who makes politicians, celebrities, and corporate giants tremble with a single Instagram video. From exposing fake skincare products to calling out corrupt officials, from being arrested multiple times to launching an NGO that raised millions in hours, Martins Vincent Otse has become the voice of frustrated Nigerian youth. Let me take you through the extraordinary journey of the man they call VDM—the unapologetic truth-teller who refuses to be silenced.
Who is VeryDarkMan? The Man Behind the Controversy
Here’s where we start this VeryDarkMan biography—with his real identity. His full name is Martins Vincent Otse, and he was born on April 8, 1994. That makes him 31 years old as of 2025. Now, there’s been some confusion about where he was born—some sources say Lagos, others say Kaduna—but what’s consistent is that he spent his formative years in Kaduna, Nigeria’s vibrant northern city.
Despite being born and raised in Kaduna, VeryDarkMan isn’t from there. He’s originally from Benin City, Edo State, in southern Nigeria. He’s Bini by tribe and has proudly shared photos of himself wearing traditional Edo attire with the caption “I’m a full blooded Edo boy….OBA ghato kpere.” His cultural heritage is important to him, even though he grew up far from his ancestral home.
VeryDarkMan is a Christian, raised in a Christian household where values like integrity and boldness were deeply ingrained. These values would later define his approach to activism—speaking truth to power regardless of consequences. His unique moniker “VeryDarkMan” humorously references his dark complexion and has become a personal brand that stands for raw truth, strength, and unfiltered critique.
The Difficult Childhood: From Struggle to Survival
Let’s talk about VeryDarkMan’s early life because it wasn’t pretty. He grew up in what he describes as an “average family” with significant financial struggles. His father, Mr. Vincent Otse from Edo State, experienced a dramatic fall from grace—going from being a rich man with a happy family to what VDM describes as “a bad husband to his wife and a bad father to his kids.”
In a touching Instagram post, VDM shared a photo with his father and wrote about the painful lessons he learned: “This man is my father, he is not my inspiration but he is part of my experience, his life has taught me lessons and with all what I saw him go through from being a rich man with a happy family, to being a bad husband to his wife and a bad father to his kids, should I hate him for what we went through? hell no, he is my father and he made his one in a lifetime mistake, at least I know the dangers of jumping from women to women and also the curse attached with beating your wife.”
His mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, was the backbone of the family. VDM has spoken several times about how she would wake them up early in the morning so they could “meet up survivals.” In Nigerian terms, they call it “dragging”—hustling to survive day by day. This difficult upbringing shaped VDM’s worldview and his empathy for ordinary Nigerians struggling against systemic oppression.
VDM has an elder brother named Macquinn Otse Vincent, who is involved in car dealing, general contracting, fitness coaching, and skit-making. He also has other siblings whose identities he prefers to keep private. The family’s financial struggles meant VDM had to leave school at times to hustle and help foot the family bills—a reality that millions of Nigerian youth can relate to.
Education: From Ikorodu to UNILAG
Despite the financial constraints, VeryDarkMan managed to get an education. He completed his primary and secondary education in Ikorodu, Lagos State, where he had to fend for himself at a young age due to family financial pressures. The experience of being a student who had to work to survive gave him firsthand knowledge of the struggles ordinary Nigerians face.
He later attended the University of Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. This educational background would later prove invaluable as he navigated the complex world of social media activism, understanding how to monetize his platform while maintaining his message.
His time at UNILAG exposed him to Nigeria’s vibrant intellectual and political discourse, sharpening his critical thinking skills and giving him frameworks to articulate the frustrations he saw around him. But even with a university degree, the Nigerian economy wasn’t providing opportunities, which led him down an unconventional path to survival.
The Dark Chapter: Selling Explicit Content to Survive
Now, here’s where this VeryDarkMan biography gets uncomfortable, but we have to address it because VDM himself has been brutally honest about it. Before becoming an activist, VeryDarkMan was involved in creating and selling adult content. In his own words, he made explicit videos and sold them to both women and gay men to earn a living.
In September 2023, during a heated exchange with crossdresser Bobrisky, VDM openly confessed: “I made sex video with both men and women.” He wasn’t ashamed of it—he framed it as survival in a country with no opportunities for young people. He allegedly sold a trending video that was released by gossip blog Gistlover for one thousand dollars a few years ago.
In 2020, he bought his first car from the money he made selling these videos. He’s been open about this, stating, “I made money I used to buy my car in 2020 from selling tapes.” For VDM, this wasn’t something to hide—it was part of his journey, part of what shaped his fearless approach to life. When you’ve already exposed your darkest secrets, what else can people use against you?
This confession has led to questions about his sexuality, with some people wondering if he’s bisexual or gay. VDM has maintained he’s straight, explaining that selling content to gay men was purely business, not about his personal orientation. Regardless, his willingness to be this transparent about a stigmatized past is what makes him different from typical activists who present sanitized versions of their lives.
The Rise of an Activist: 2022-2023 Breakthrough
VeryDarkMan’s journey as a social media activist began in 2022. Initially, he gained notice for his interactions with Nigerian celebrities, which resulted in an increase in his online following. He started posting reaction videos and opinion pieces on social issues, using a style that was direct, loud, and unapologetically confrontational.
By early 2023, his content had gone viral, and the controversy surrounding his online presence only added to his popularity. What set VDM apart from other social commentators was his willingness to name names and show faces. He wasn’t interested in vague criticisms—he wanted accountability, and he was willing to be the one demanding it.
His big breakthrough came around mid-2023 when Afrobeat superstar Davido followed and endorsed him on social media. This catapulted VDM into mainstream recognition. Suddenly, he wasn’t just another angry voice on the internet—he was someone that one of Africa’s biggest stars respected and supported. His fan base, composed largely of Nigerian youth, hailed him as a modern-day activist who dared to say what others wouldn’t.
The Major Exposés: Taking Down the Powerful
VeryDarkMan has built his reputation on fearlessly exposing individuals and institutions he believes are defrauding or exploiting Nigerians. Let me walk you through some of his most explosive confrontations.
The JennysGlow Takedown
In August 2023, VDM attacked JennysGlow, a well-known skincare merchant and vendor, for marketing fake and subpar skincare products to consumers. He didn’t just complain on social media—he worked with authorities to have JennysGlow’s branch in Abuja shut down by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control.
The investigation revealed that JennysGlow was marketing her products using a fictitious NAFDAC number—a serious violation that could endanger consumers’ health. VDM posted videos of the shutdown, and his followers celebrated what they saw as a victory for consumer protection. This case established VDM as someone who didn’t just talk—he got results.
The Mohbad DNA Test Campaign
On September 25, 2023, VDM posted a video demanding that a DNA test be performed on late singer Mohbad’s son, Liam Light. This was during the intense controversy surrounding Mohbad’s sudden death, and VDM’s call for the DNA test went viral, reigniting discussions about paternity fraud in Nigeria.
The video gained massive traction and significantly increased VDM’s popularity. Whether people agreed with his approach or not, they couldn’t ignore him. He had become a national conversation starter.
The Iyabo Ojo Feud
VDM clashed spectacularly with Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, accusing her of advertising counterfeit products, including perfumes, on her social media channels. He also criticized her for participating in a social media challenge in a way that revealed her breasts, calling it a poor example for young people.
Iyabo Ojo fired back, calling him a “beast” and blaming his mother for not raising him properly. She even threatened physical confrontation if they ever met. The dispute eventually subsided, but it had cemented VDM’s reputation as someone who would call out anyone, regardless of their fame or influence.
The Bobrisky Controversy
VDM’s feud with crossdresser Bobrisky was particularly explosive. He demanded Bobrisky’s arrest, accusing him of having gender reassignment operations and enjoying preferential treatment from lawmakers. Bobrisky retaliated by sharing footage allegedly showing VDM’s past sexual experiences, accusing him of hypocrisy.
Rather than being destroyed by this revelation, VDM owned it, confirming he had indeed created adult content in the past. By refusing to be shamed, he neutralized what was supposed to be a devastating counterattack.
The Prophet Jeremiah Confrontation
VDM also took on Prophet Jeremiah, a well-known Nigerian cleric, accusing him of manipulating his congregation for financial benefit. The accusation sparked a public feud, with supporters from both parties weighing in. Despite the backlash, VDM maintained his assertions and continued to advocate for transparency and accountability in religious institutions.
The Falz and Femi Falana Legal Battle
On September 25, 2024, rapper Falz issued an ultimatum demanding an apology from VDM for allegedly defamatory accusations made against him and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana. The accusations involved bribery allegations connected to the Bobrisky saga. This confrontation showed that VDM was willing to take on even the most respected figures in Nigerian society if he believed they were involved in wrongdoing.
The Arrests: Paying the Price for Speaking Out
VeryDarkMan’s activism has come at a personal cost. He’s been arrested multiple times, with each arrest generating massive public outcry and debates about freedom of expression in Nigeria.
March 2024 Arrest
In March 2024, VDM was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges of cyberbullying and stalking. He pleaded not guilty and was released after two weeks of incarceration. Some interpreted his arrest as an attempt to silence him and stifle his activism, while others saw it as necessary accountability for his online conduct.
This episode strengthened his reputation as a brave and outspoken critic of Nigerian society and politics. His supporters rallied around him, and when he was released, he came back even louder and more determined.
The May 2025 Arrest: A National Controversy
The most dramatic arrest came on May 2, 2025. VDM had accompanied his mother to a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Abuja to complain about suspicious unauthorized withdrawals from her account. He was with his friend Stephen Avuara and his mother when EFCC operatives approached them.
According to his lawyer Deji Adeyanju and eyewitnesses, EFCC officers approached the trio at gunpoint, blindfolded VDM and Avuara, and whisked them away without providing clear justification for the arrest. The scene was described as resembling an abduction more than a lawful arrest.
The EFCC later confirmed the detention, citing multiple petitions related to alleged financial crimes, including money laundering. They claimed VDM had repeatedly ignored invitations sent to his known addresses and communication channels. However, Adeyanju initially stated that the EFCC couldn’t produce any official petition against VDM, raising questions about the legality of his detention.
The arrest sparked nationwide protests. On Monday, May 5, 2025, scores of youths took to the streets of Abuja chanting “Free VDM” and carrying placards with messages like “Activism is not a sin,” “VDM is the masses’ liberator,” and “VDM has committed no offence.” Protesters also gathered at GTBank headquarters in Abuja, demanding his immediate release.
High-profile figures condemned the arrest. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called it “yet another blatant abuse of power” and accused the EFCC of being used to suppress critical voices. Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concerns about the state of democracy, arguing that VDM’s arrest was conducted in an uncivil manner that resembled abduction. Afrobeat superstar Davido, celebrity bar man Cubana Chief Priest, and activist Omoyele Sowore all spoke out against the detention.
The EFCC eventually granted VDM administrative bail on May 6, 2025, after five days in custody. Upon his release on May 7, he revealed that authorities suspected him of money laundering, which he found absurd given his financial situation. In a viral video, he said, “They think I am into money laundering, how would they put money laundering for person wey no get money?”
The episode raised serious questions about the treatment of activists in Nigeria and whether the government uses law enforcement agencies to silence dissenting voices.
The NGO Launch: Martins Vincent Otse Initiative
In October 2024, VeryDarkMan launched the Martins Vincent Otse Initiative, an NGO aimed at supporting the less privileged in Nigeria. The response was overwhelming—he amassed over thirty-five million naira in donations within hours of the launch. This showed the massive trust and support his followers had for him.
The NGO was meant to be his legacy beyond social media activism—a tangible way to help the people he’d been fighting for. He created a website and an app where people could donate and track how funds were being used, emphasizing transparency.
The December 2024 Hacking Incident
But disaster struck in late December 2024. In a distressing Instagram video posted on December 27, VDM revealed that his NGO’s website had been hacked and over one hundred eighty million naira was stolen from the account. The funds had been diverted to unknown accounts, leaving only twenty million naira in the NGO account.
VDM was visibly shaken: “I’ve not been myself these past few days. Somebody hacked into the NGO website, and N180 million is missing. Thankfully, we’ve tracked the person, and one suspect has been arrested. The account is now on PND (Post No Debit). There’s N20 million left, while N160 million was diverted. We’re heading to Jos to recover the money.”
He temporarily shut down the NGO’s app for maintenance to prevent further breaches and assured followers that updates on recovery efforts would follow. The incident raised questions about cybersecurity measures for the NGO, but VDM’s transparent handling of the crisis—immediately informing the public and working with authorities—maintained his supporters’ trust.
The Love Life: Girlfriend Anna from Russia
VeryDarkMan keeps his personal life relatively private, but some details have emerged. His girlfriend’s name is Anna, and she’s from Russia. They reportedly started dating a few years ago, though VDM rarely posts about their relationship on social media.
As of 2025, VDM is not married and doesn’t have any children. He seems focused on his activism and building his NGO rather than settling down at this stage of his life. Given the dangerous nature of his work and the enemies he’s made, it’s probably wise that he keeps his romantic relationship out of the spotlight.
Net Worth: The Financial Reality
Let’s address the money question because there’s been a lot of speculation. VeryDarkMan’s net worth is estimated to be between ninety thousand and two hundred forty thousand dollars as of 2025, with most sources clustering around one hundred fifty thousand to one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars. Some conservative estimates place it as low as ten thousand to fifty thousand dollars, while others suggest it could be higher.
Here’s what we know about his income sources. He earns from social media influence and sponsored content, collaborating with brands and organizations that want to leverage his massive audience. He receives support from philanthropic projects and donations from followers who back his activist initiatives. He occasionally participates in public speaking engagements, seminars, talks, and panel discussions on social justice and governance.
Despite having access to millions through his NGO, VDM maintains a modest lifestyle. He owns a reliable Toyota Camry which he uses for daily activities and resides in a modest home in Abuja. He’s focused more on his activism and less on flashy assets, which actually strengthens his credibility as a voice for ordinary Nigerians.
The one hundred eighty million naira that was stolen from his NGO wasn’t his personal money—it belonged to the initiative and was meant for charitable purposes. His willingness to be transparent about the loss rather than covering it up speaks to his integrity.
Social Media Presence: The Digital Battleground
VeryDarkMan’s primary platform is Instagram, where he posts under the handle that changes occasionally but is primarily recognizable by his name. He also maintains active presence on Facebook, Threads, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). His Instagram has hundreds of thousands of followers, while his TikTok has grown to over one hundred ninety thousand followers.
What makes VDM’s social media unique is his raw, unfiltered approach. He doesn’t use professional editing or polished production. Most of his videos are shot on his phone, often while he’s walking or sitting in his car. This authenticity resonates with his audience—they feel like they’re getting the real VDM, not a manufactured persona.
His content strategy is simple: identify an issue, gather evidence, present it to his audience, and demand accountability. Sometimes he works with authorities like NAFDAC or the EFCC (ironically). Other times, he simply exposes wrongdoing publicly and lets social pressure do the rest.
The Philosophy: Why VDM Does What He Does
In various interviews and videos, VeryDarkMan has articulated his philosophy. He sees himself as a voice for the voiceless—ordinary Nigerians who are exploited by corrupt politicians, fake pastors, fraudulent businesses, and an indifferent government. He believes that Nigeria’s biggest problem is impunity—the idea that powerful people can do whatever they want without consequences.
His approach is confrontational because he believes polite activism doesn’t work in Nigeria. When you’re dealing with people who have no shame, he argues, you have to shame them publicly. When you’re confronting institutions that ignore formal complaints, you have to create public pressure they can’t ignore.
VDM has acknowledged that his methods aren’t perfect and that he sometimes makes mistakes. But he maintains that the intention behind his work is pure—to create a Nigeria where justice isn’t just for the rich and powerful.
The Supporters vs. The Critics
VeryDarkMan is a polarizing figure. His supporters, mostly young Nigerians frustrated with the status quo, see him as a hero—someone willing to confront power at great personal risk. They point to his tangible results, like the JennysGlow shutdown, as evidence that his methods work.
His critics, however, accuse him of cyberbullying, character assassination, and creating content for clout rather than genuine activism. Some argue that his past as an adult content creator undermines his moral authority to criticize others. Others suggest that his confrontational style does more harm than good, poisoning public discourse and making enemies instead of allies.
The truth probably lies somewhere in between. VDM is neither the perfect hero his supporters claim nor the villain his critics paint. He’s a complex figure—flawed, sometimes reckless, but undeniably effective at forcing conversations Nigeria needs to have.
Life Lessons from the VeryDarkMan Story
Reading this VeryDarkMan biography, what can we learn? First, your past doesn’t have to define your future. VDM did things he’s not proud of to survive, but instead of hiding that past, he owned it and moved forward.
Second, authenticity builds trust. VDM’s refusal to present a polished, perfect image makes him more believable than activists who seem too good to be true.
Third, results matter more than methods. While his approach is controversial, VDM has achieved tangible results—fake products removed from shelves, corrupt practices exposed, conversations started.
Fourth, standing up to power comes with consequences. VDM has been arrested, threatened, and vilified. But he continues because he believes the cause is worth the cost.
Finally, you don’t need a perfect background to fight for justice. VDM didn’t come from activism schools or NGO training programs. He’s a self-made activist who learned on the job, proving that passion and courage can be more important than credentials.
Where is VeryDarkMan Now?
As of November 2025, VeryDarkMan continues his activism from Abuja, though he maintains a lower profile after the May arrest and December NGO hacking. He’s working to rebuild the NGO’s security systems and recover the stolen funds. He continues posting exposés and commentary on social media, though perhaps more carefully given his recent legal troubles.
The multiple petitions and potential court cases hanging over him mean he’s navigating a dangerous period. The authorities are watching him closely, and he knows one wrong move could land him back in custody. But knowing VDM, it’s unlikely he’ll stay quiet for long.
Final Thoughts: The VeryDarkMan Legacy in Progress
So what’s the final word on this VeryDarkMan biography? Martins Vincent Otse is a product of Nigeria’s failures—failed education system, failed economy, failed justice system. He represents a generation of young Nigerians who are tired of waiting for things to get better and have decided to force change themselves.
Is he perfect? Absolutely not. Has he made mistakes? Definitely. But has he also exposed fraudsters, stood up to powerful people, and given voice to millions of frustrated Nigerians? Undeniably yes.
For young Nigerians looking at his journey, the message is complicated but powerful: You can rise from difficult circumstances. You can reinvent yourself. Your voice matters even if you’re not from a privileged background. And most importantly, someone has to speak truth to power, even when it’s dangerous.
That’s VeryDarkMan—former adult content creator, current social media activist, NGO founder, multiple-time arrest survivor, and the voice of frustrated Nigerian youth. Love him or hate him, you definitely can’t ignore him. At thirty-one years old, his story is far from over. Based on everything he’s been through and everything he’s accomplished, the most interesting chapters are probably still to come.
