IShowSpeed Africa tour focuses on showcasing local culture, says US streamer after Nigerian influencers criticised access during his visit

American streamer IShowSpeed has addressed criticism from Nigerian content creators over his ongoing Africa tour, insisting his trip is designed to highlight local culture rather than build connections with established social media stars.

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Some Nigerian influencers, including TikToker Peller, had publicly complained after repeated attempts to meet the streamer reportedly failed.

Peller chased Speed’s convoy on a horse and tried to climb his vehicle, but was turned away by security.

In a statement seen by Legit.ng, Speed said the narrative pushed online misrepresents the purpose of his “Speed Does Africa” project.

He explained that his mission is to spotlight everyday Nigerians, including street performers, dancers, and market vendors, who rarely receive global attention.

“Many influencers already have platforms and visibility, while the people I am showcasing may never get another opportunity like this,” Speed said.

He emphasised that his tour is meticulously planned, with each stop and cultural engagement scheduled in advance, leaving little room for impromptu meetings or collaborations.

Speed added that he cannot cancel cultural visits arranged by locals simply to accommodate influencer requests.

His focus, he stressed, is on giving international exposure to grassroots talent, not on celebrity collaborations.

The statement drew mixed reactions online. User @kanoel_fabrics commented: “Very valid. Streamers can as well showcase these talents like he does. They have huge platforms too.” Another, @edesirialbert, wrote: “Lmao y’all be fr. Is that how to collaborate? By shouting while on top of a horse… Na so dem de so something?”

In a related story, Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage helped her son, Jamil Balogun, meet IShowSpeed after the young fan reached out during her attendance at the Davos summit.