Nepo baby vs Lapo baby: All you should know about Nigeria’s viral trend

In Nigeria’s vibrant online culture, where hashtags can make or break narratives, a new social media trend is pitting two distinct identities against each other—Nepo Baby and Lapo Baby. At first glance, it feels like just another playful meme war between users on X (formerly Twitter). But underneath the jokes, jabs, and memes lies a deeper story of privilege versus hustle, of generational wealth versus generational grit. This digital phenomenon is fast evolving into a nationwide conversation on access, opportunity, and what it truly means to “make it” in Nigeria. For a country long defined by inequality and resilience, Nepo vs Lapo is more than a trend—it’s a mirror reflecting who gets to dream, and who has to grind.

Understanding the Terms: What Is a Nepo Baby? Who Is a Lapo Baby?

The term Nepo Baby is borrowed from global internet slang, short for “nepotism baby.” It refers to individuals who owe their success—partly or wholly—to family connections, wealth, or inherited privilege. While the phrase has trended internationally, particularly in the entertainment industry, it has recently found fresh relevance in Nigeria, where elite families often dominate politics, business, and pop culture. These individuals tend to navigate life with fewer barriers, accessing education, exposure, capital, and publicity with relative ease.

On the other end of the spectrum lies the uniquely Nigerian concept of the Lapo Baby. Coined from LAPO—Lift Above Poverty Organization—a popular microfinance institution that supports low-income families, a Lapo Baby represents someone born into financial hardship. These are the children of men and women who took microloans to survive, to sell pepper, drive taxis, or run roadside shops. Lapo Babies have no safety net. Their life journeys are built on resilience, raw ambition, and the unrelenting desire to break the chains of generational struggle.

How It All Started: The Otedola Memoir and Social Media Eruption

The latest wave of the Nepo vs Lapo debate in Nigeria was sparked by billionaire businessman Femi Otedola. When he announced his new memoir titled “Making It Big: My Story,” many users on X couldn’t resist pointing out that Otedola was not exactly a self-made man. As the son of former Lagos State Governor Michael Otedola, critics argued that his success wasn’t a tale of grit, but rather of inherited access and well-timed opportunities. His widely reported $1.7 billion loan from Zenith Bank only fanned the flames, as users saw it as proof that big names often enjoy benefits far out of reach for everyday Nigerians.

In reaction, social media erupted with side-by-side comparisons and humorous jabs. The contrast between Nepo Baby and Lapo Baby soon went viral, not as a simple joke but as a public reckoning with how unequal starting points influence outcomes in society. X timelines became battlegrounds, with people either defending the “advantaged few” or celebrating the “hustling many.”

Beyond the Hashtag: A Deep Dive into Class and Opportunity

The heart of the Nepo vs Lapo debate lies in the clash between two value systems—privilege versus perseverance. Nepo Babies often inherit access to capital, mentorship, publicity, and networks. These advantages mean their failures are cushioned, and their wins are amplified. A Davido or DJ Cuppy, for example, walks into studios and global conversations not just because of talent, but because of the Otedola or Adeleke name behind them.

By contrast, Lapo Babies are lauded not for what they inherited but for what they survived. Their stories are filled with long nights, skipped meals, and repeated rejections. A Lapo Baby isn’t just a buzzword; it represents real human effort. In a society that reveres stories of struggle-turned-success, the Lapo archetype has become a digital badge of honour. But the trend also calls attention to how invisible many of these struggles remain in the broader narrative of success.

Meme Culture Meets Social Commentary

From photos of worn-out sandals to exaggerated portrayals of trust fund kids, the meme culture surrounding Nepo vs Lapo has added a layer of humour to a very serious subject. On Nairaland and X, users began self-identifying as either Team Nepo or Team Lapo, poking fun at each other while also sharing deeply personal stories of how they were raised. While some tweets celebrated the ease that comes with being a Nepo Baby, others turned the term into a sarcastic critique of people who claim to be self-made but had invisible ladders helping them rise.

Lapo baby vs Napo/Nepo baby
Debate edition 😂 pic.twitter.com/qslJOlKJAW

— LASU Debate Society (@Lasudebates) July 20, 2025

The trend became a way for Nigerians to express frustrations about the lack of social mobility, and to call out what many see as performative storytelling by elites. Some users even suggested that the Nigerian public should be more sceptical of memoirs and media narratives that skip over inherited privilege while overemphasizing struggle. Others simply used the trend to reflect on their own journeys—comparing where they started and where they are now.

Cultural Identity, Authenticity, and the Politics of Origin

In a digital age where perception is everything, authenticity is becoming cultural currency. Nigerian Gen Z and millennials, in particular, value realness. For them, coming from the streets and making it without connections is not just admirable—it’s aspirational. As such, many online are quick to challenge those they perceive as masking privilege or rewriting their pasts to appeal to the masses.

This trend has turned into a political and cultural litmus test. Are you someone who benefited from family ties, or did you genuinely grind your way to the top? More importantly, does it matter? That’s the question social media is now wrestling with. And in a society where who you know can often matter more than what you know, this debate is unlikely to end soon.

Microfinance, Symbolism, and the Power of the Lapo Label

Choosing Lapo as the symbol of the average Nigerian’s hustle is not a coincidence—it is poetic and powerful. LAPO microfinance is a household name, especially among market women, traders, and artisans. The idea that someone’s parents may have taken a loan of N20,000 from LAPO to start a small business is a powerful metaphor for survival and bootstrap ambition.

In many ways, the Lapo Baby is not just a child of economic hardship but a representation of collective struggle. This is why so many Nigerians, even those who have “made it,” are embracing the Lapo identity—not because they want pity, but because they want to own their story with pride.

Implications for Celebrity Branding, Politics, and Beyond

The Nepo vs Lapo trend also has significant implications for public figures. As audiences become more critical and class-conscious, celebrities and politicians may face increased pressure to acknowledge their privilege or clarify their origin stories. A Nepo Baby who tries to pass off as a self-made Lapo Baby may face digital backlash. On the flip side, Lapo Babies who rise to prominence are increasingly being celebrated for their raw hustle and realness.

Brands and institutions, too, may need to rethink their messaging. Authenticity sells—and in Nigeria, it may now be tied to how well one’s story resonates with the Lapo experience. Political aspirants, celebrities, influencers, and even content creators are all taking cues from this unfolding narrative.

A Mirror to Nigeria’s Youth and Their Dreams

Ultimately, the Nepo vs Lapo discourse is not just about mocking rich kids or glorifying hardship. It is a social commentary on what it means to dream in a country where not everyone starts on equal footing. It is about frustration, yes—but also about hope. About finding pride in humble beginnings, and demanding fairness in how stories are told.

This is why the conversation continues to trend. It is not a one-off joke; it is a national reckoning—wrapped in memes, fed by hashtags, and sustained by millions of Nigerians who know what it’s like to rise with nothing but sheer will.