Deep Dive into the Backlash Against MumZee and the Psycho-Social Dynamics

MumZee’s Rise to Fame and the Growing Controversy

MumZee, also known as DebbieOA, gained widespread attention on X (formerly Twitter) in early 2024 after sharing that she wakes up at 4:50 AM to cook for her husband—a gesture that some Nigerians praised as a model of devotion in marriage. This viral moment led to an outpouring of donations and gifts, elevating her status as a symbol of traditional gender roles and the belief that a woman’s commitment to domestic duties contributes to a happy home. However, as her influence grew, so did the criticism, particularly from Nigerian feminists and advocates for gender equality who viewed her story as reinforcing outdated patriarchal norms.

The latest wave of backlash erupted on March 6, 2025, when MumZee posted “Feminists ariseeeee” in response to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senator had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, and her suspension was widely condemned as an attempt to silence her. While MumZee’s post appeared to be a call for feminist solidarity, it quickly became a flashpoint for controversy, as many users turned their frustration toward her instead.

Why the Backlash? The Feminist Divide on X

Rather than uniting behind Senator Natasha, some feminists on X began attacking MumZee, accusing her of undermining feminist struggles. The criticism stemmed from several key points:

• Her alignment with traditional gender roles, which some believe contradicts feminist principles.
• Her perceived lack of genuine feminist advocacy, as many felt she had benefited from traditionalist values but was now calling on feminists only when it suited her.
• The belief that she distracted from more pressing issues, with critics arguing that the focus should remain on fighting Senator Natasha’s suspension rather than debating MumZee’s stance on gender roles.

Comments under her post highlighted this sentiment. One user replied bluntly, “Stupid woman”, while another wrote, “Mummy Zee this is not a battle of feminism… This is a matter of seeking justice.” Some also accused her of being dismissive, pointing to her lighthearted responses—such as laughing emojis—to unrelated comments in the same thread.

A viral tweet summarizing the situation read:

Mummy Zee tweeted that feminists should arise and fight for senator Natasha and they actually arose and it’s not to fight Akpabio but mummy Zee 😂

If them explain twitter feminists NG to you, walai you no fit understand them.

This irony resonated widely, with some finding humor in the misdirected outrage, while others saw it as evidence of deeper fractures within Nigeria’s feminist movement.

The Psycho-Social Dynamics at Play

The backlash against MumZee is more than just a reaction to a single tweet—it exposes broader psycho-social tensionswithin Nigeria’s feminist discourse. Several key factors contribute to this divide:

1. The Clash Between Tradition and Modern Feminism
   • Nigeria remains deeply rooted in traditional gender roles, where many still believe a woman’s primary duty is to her home. MumZee embodies this cultural expectation, making her a symbol of both admiration and resistance.
   • For younger, urban feminists, influenced by global movements and figures like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, traditional roles are increasingly seen as restrictive rather than aspirational.
   • This creates cognitive dissonance—while some women relate to MumZee, others see her as a reminder of the very norms they are fighting to dismantle.
2. Internal Divisions Within Nigerian Feminism
   • Nigerian feminism is not monolithic—it is shaped by class, education, and cultural background.
   • Some feminists see intersectionality as central to the movement, while others focus on dismantling traditional structures outright.
   • MumZee’s working-class, traditional persona does not align with the more urban, elite feminist voices on X, leading to internal policing of feminist identity.
3. Social Media and Mob Mentality
   • X thrives on engagement-driven outrage, where public figures can be rapidly idolized or vilified.
   • Once the backlash against MumZee gained traction, her critics felt reinforced by collective disapproval, fueling a cycle of personal attacks rather than meaningful discourse.
   • This reflects the psychological phenomenon of groupthink, where individuals conform to dominant narratives to maintain social belonging.
4. The Role of Projection and Patriarchy
   • Some feminists may be directing their frustration with systemic patriarchy toward MumZee, seeing her as an easier target than the men in power.
   • The fact that Senator Natasha’s plight was overshadowed by debates about MumZee’s domestic choices highlights misplaced priorities—a distraction that ultimately benefits the very patriarchal structures feminists seek to challenge.

Broader Implications for Nigerian Feminism

This controversy raises critical questions about the state of feminism in Nigeria:

• Can feminism accommodate diverse expressions of womanhood? Some argue that MumZee’s choices should be respected within the broader feminist movement, while others insist that any promotion of traditional gender roles is inherently harmful.
• How can Nigerian feminists maintain focus on systemic issues rather than personal debates? The shift in discourse from Senator Natasha’s suspension to MumZee’s stance highlights the ease with which important causes can be derailed.
• What role does social media play in shaping feminist activism? While X has helped amplify feminist voices, it has also fostered divisiveness and call-out culture, which can hinder genuine progress.

The backlash against MumZee is a reflection of deeper psycho-social tensions within Nigerian feminism—between tradition and modernity, inclusion and ideological purity, advocacy and online outrage. While she may not be a conventional feminist icon, the reaction to her highlights ongoing struggles to define what feminism means in a culturally complex society like Nigeria.

At the heart of the debate lies a critical challenge for Nigerian feminists: how to balance personal choices and collective activism without allowing internal divisions to weaken the fight against systemic patriarchy. Until that challenge is addressed, moments like this will continue to highlight the fractures within the movement, often at the expense of the real battles that need to be fought.