Bello Galadanchi, widely known as Dan Bello, is an educator, journalist, filmmaker, and social media content creator. He is one of Nigeria’s most influential digital activists in 2024, wielding satire to challenge government policies and mobilise public discourse on social media. His social and political commentaries, delivered primarily in Hausa with English subtitles, have garnered him over 1.8 million followers across platforms. Bello’s videos and messages – addressing pressing issues such as corruption, education, healthcare, human rights, and poverty – resonate especially with many youths in northern Nigeria who are left behind by mainstream media discourse.
Bello solidified his reputation as a socially conscious influencer when he popularised the nickname “T-Pain” for President Bola Tinubu through a viral parody of American singer T-Pain’s song, “Buy U A Drank.” His remix, “Nigerians, I Go Make You Poor,” underscored the mounting economic hardship resulting from Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and naira flotation. The widespread adoption of this moniker prompted the presidency to caution Nigerians against using it.
Bello’s outspoken criticism of government policies has earned him both acclaim and scrutiny. When questioned about his provocative content during a Trust TV interview in August 2024, Bello remained defiant: “If what I am doing is not good for them, that means it is automatically good for the people.” He particularly highlighted the human cost of recent economic policies, noting instances of citizens “eating grass” and “drinking contaminated water” while government officials pursued “bogus projects.”
At 37, Bello represents a new generation of digital activists using technology and local languages to challenge authority and promote civic engagement. His approach of combining entertainment with civic education makes government policies and their implications accessible to ordinary Nigerians. Despite calls for his arrest and accusations of inciting unrest, he has maintained that his work serves a crucial democratic function in holding leaders accountable.