Nigerian Afrobeats singer Simi has strongly condemned sexual assault, urging men to take responsibility for confronting abuse and holding their friends accountable.
In a candid post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the award-winning artiste decried what she described as a culture of silence among men who excuse or overlook inappropriate behaviour within their circles.
Men should hold other men accountable,” she wrote. “Many of you create safe spaces for your friends’ perverted and wicked behaviour because ‘I’m not like that.’
The singer revealed that concerns about personal safety have become a daily reality for many women, including herself.
“I take a pepper spray when I walk outside alone or with my daughter. Do you think I’m scared of other women?” she asked pointedly.
Simi stressed that sexual assault is far more widespread than many acknowledge, stating that nearly every woman in her personal circle has experienced abuse at some point.
“Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted,” she said, adding that attempts to silence survivors by focusing on false accusations only derail meaningful conversations.
“If you lie, you should face consequences but that’s not the conversation I’m having,” she clarified.“How many of your male friends have actually assaulted women as vibes?”
The singer challenged men who feel defensive when rape allegations are discussed, suggesting such reactions warrant introspection.
“If you’re not a rapist and people calling out rapists bother you, you need to sit and have a conversation with yourself,” she stated.
Emphasising the urgency of the issue, Simi noted that many women feel unsafe both in public and in their own homes.
“Women are terrified to go out. Women in their homes are not safe either. Ask your sisters.
Ask your female friends and your girlfriends. Ask your wives. We’re not all crazy. Stop raping women!” she declared.
Her comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, reigniting conversations about rape culture, accountability, and the safety of women in Nigeria and beyond.