Prominent Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has issued a stern rebuttal against false claims about her HIV status, threatening legal action against a content creator who included her name in a viral video alleging she was HIV positive.
The controversy began when content creator Olaoluwa Segun published a video on Friday that listed five Nigerian actors allegedly living with HIV, including Amusa. The video quickly gained traction across social media platforms, prompting widespread discussion and forcing the 41-year-old actress to address the allegations directly.
In a forceful response posted to her Instagram account, Amusa categorically denied the claims and revealed the source of the confusion. The actress explained that the content creator had misinterpreted and manipulated a 2019 social media post where she had shared her negative HIV test results as part of an educational awareness campaign.
“The video is related to a post I made in 2019 regarding my HIV status, which was negative,” Amusa stated in her video response. “The purpose of that post was to educate people on the importance of knowing their HIV status. And even if, for any reason, you’re positive, it’s important to seek medical help and take the necessary steps. After all, it’s not the end of the world.”
The actress expressed outrage at what she characterized as irresponsible content creation, emphasizing that the content creator had “twisted the narrative, falsely stating she is HIV positive.” Amusa highlighted the dangerous precedent of spreading unverified health information about public figures without proper investigation or consent.
“It’s shocking that someone picked it and enlisted me with others, claiming we are HIV positive without any proper investigation,” she continued. “I am not going to let this slide. I will make you a scapegoat.”
The incident underscores broader concerns about the ethics of content creation in Nigeria’s increasingly influential social media landscape, where viral videos can rapidly spread misinformation with serious personal and professional consequences for those involved.
Following the backlash, the content creator accepted full responsibility for the error, confirmed that the video had been taken down, and promised to improve his content process to avoid such issues in the future. However, Amusa remains committed to pursuing legal recourse, positioning the case as a deterrent against similar incidents.
The controversy has reignited discussions about HIV stigma in Nigeria and the responsibility of public figures in health advocacy. Amusa’s original 2019 post was part of broader efforts by Nigerian celebrities to normalize HIV testing and reduce the stigma associated with the virus.
The actress, known for her roles in numerous Nollywood productions and her work as a singer, has built a reputation as an advocate for health awareness and women’s issues. This latest incident highlights the challenges faced by public figures who use their platforms for social good, only to have their messages distorted or weaponized by others.
As legal proceedings loom, the case is expected to set important precedents for how misinformation about public figures’ health is handled in Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian actress Dayo Amusa is pursuing legal action against a content creator who falsely claimed she was HIV positive in a viral video. The misinformation stemmed from the creator misrepresenting Amusa’s 2019 educational post, where she shared her negative HIV test results to promote health awareness.
