‘Nepo Baby vs Lapo Baby’: Trending Social Media Conversation You Need to Understand

A trending conversation on social media is sparking laughs and deep reflection as Nigerians compare “Nepo babies” – those born into privilege – with “Lapo babies” who grew up hustling.

If you’ve been on X (formerly Twitter) lately, chances are you’ve seen the trending cultural showdown between the “Nepo baby” and “Lapo baby” labels. But what do these terms really mean, and why are Nigerians turning them into a viral online class war?

The trend erupted after a post by user @UnkleAyo questioned the media buzz around billionaire Femi Otedola’s upcoming memoir Making It Big. The post implied that many wealthy Nigerians didn’t truly “start from scratch.”

“Femi Otedola is the son of Lagos’ 9th Governor, Michael Otedola. His father was a governor during the Nigerian third republic. He’s the real ‘old money’. There’s nothing he wants to write in a book that appeals to people like me. ‘making it big’ una,” he wrote, adding a laughing emoji.

From there, @UnkleAyo launched into a thread tracing the family backgrounds of Nigeria’s elite in politics, music, and entertainment.

He claimed that Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka is related to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, stating that Soyinka’s uncle was Fela’s father.
He added: “Because Fela dey follow una smoke Igbo, you think say na common man. No let anybody write book for you o.”

The thread also claimed that Herbert Macaulay – the face on Nigeria’s ₦10 note—was Fela’s great-grandfather and a grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowther.

He went on to name Obi Asika as uncle to Davido’s manager Asa Asika, and cousin to rapper Naeto C—whose mother, Dr Kema Chikwe, served as Minister of Transport and Aviation, and is currently the PDP National Women Leader.

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He also referenced Bobo Ajudua, Davido’s former lawyer, stating that his father, Fred Ajudua, had multiple EFCC cases in the 2000s, and his mother, Pat Ajudua, has been a lawmaker since 2007.

Since then, Nigerians have flooded social media with memes, old photos, and side-by-side images to illustrate the contrast between “Nepo babies” and “Lapo babies.”

Who is a ‘Nepo baby’?
“Nepo” is short for Numerous Endless Privileges & Opportunities. A “Nepo baby” is someone who benefits from family name, money, or influence. Think of celebrities and influencers who had access and opportunities from birth. In Nigeria, names like Davido, DJ Cuppy, and Temi Otedola often come up in this category.

While some admire them, others use the label with sarcasm, pointing to how privilege shields them from the daily struggles of average Nigerians.

And what is a ‘Lapo baby’?
This is where Nigerians got creative. “Lapo” stands for Little Access to Privileges & Opportunities—a phrase associated with microfinance loans and the hustle life. A “Lapo baby” is the exact opposite of a Nepo baby: someone who grew up in hardship, scraping by, and learning to hustle from a young age.

Why is this trend blowing up?
Beyond the laughs, the “Nepo vs Lapo” debate reflects Nigeria’s deep class divide. It’s a blend of comedy, cultural commentary, and hard reality.

One viral post by @realeminence declared, “Lapo baby no dey use eye see opportunity,” hinting at the survival mindset born from struggle.

Another post paired an old, faded photo with the caption, “Nepo baby. Lapo baby. One day na one day,” echoing hope despite hardship.

The conversation even resurfaced DJ Cuppy’s infamous quote: “Papa bought one of each,” as an example of the Nepo lifestyle.

So, what does it really mean?
Whether you’re a “Nepo baby” or a “Lapo baby,” one thing is clear: Nigerians will always find a way to turn serious issues into sharp, funny, and brutally honest social commentary.