Nigerian life coach and social commentator, Solomon Buchi, has weighed in on the growing backlash surrounding Obi Cubana’s subtle dismissal of his adopted son, Chidi, after the young man jokingly claimed to be his next of kin in a TikTok video that went viral earlier this week.
Buchi took to social media on Thursday, April 25, to address what he described as a “concerning mindset” among public figures who treat adopted children as second-class members of the family. Without naming names directly, his statement was widely interpreted as a response to Obi Cubana’s recent Instagram post where he publicly referred to his biological son, Alex, as his “original next-of-kin,” sparking controversy online.
“Adoption is not a favour,” Buchi wrote. “When you adopt a child, it’s a covenant, not a PR stunt. You don’t get to parade your biological children while publicly sidelining those you brought in with your own consent. They didn’t beg you. You chose them.”
This comes after Chidi—widely believed to be a relative or adopted ward of the billionaire businessman—made a lighthearted video claiming to be Cubana’s heir. Rather than addressing the matter privately, Cubana responded by affirming his biological son as the true next-of-kin in a public exchange, leading to mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
Many praised Buchi’s boldness in addressing what they see as a pattern among the wealthy and powerful in Nigeria, where adoption is treated as charity rather than commitment. His post quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of shares and comments from users who shared similar experiences or supported his call for emotional accountability from public figures.
The controversy has sparked a wider national conversation about parenting ethics, classism, and the perception of adopted children in Nigerian society. Some critics have urged Obi Cubana to reflect on the message his response sends, especially to impressionable youths who look up to him as a model of philanthropy and fatherhood.
As reactions continue to pour in across digital platforms, neither Obi Cubana nor his team has issued a formal statement in response to Buchi’s remarks. Meanwhile, Chidi has remained silent, and the original video has since been deleted from TikTok.
