Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following an incident at the Greater Lagos 2025 countdown concert, where he reacted strongly to a fan who jumped on stage in excitement.
The musician, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, has since justified his actions, revealing that he is grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In an Instagram post on January 1, Burna Boy addressed the situation directly, warning fans about the dangers of accosting him on stage.
“Everybody knows my rule about getting on stage and startling me when I’m performing. I had an amazing time with Lagos State last night. Don’t jump on my stage like that! I got PTSD. I love you all. Happy new year,” he expressed.
BURNA BOY VIA IG. pic.twitter.com/1GapYwEI5h
The incident, which culminated in Burna Boy abruptly ending his set after kicking the fan, has since gone viral, triggering a wave of criticism online.
Many fans expressed dismay at the artist’s reaction, labelling it “brutal”.
One user, @Poojamedia, lamented, “Burna Boy kicked a fan who jumped on stage to hug him at the Greater Lagos concert. I feel for the fans.”
Another user, @GreenBoyofLagos, pointed out: “The fan was just showing love and enthusiasm and didn’t deserve to be kicked. Security should’ve handled it better. Hope the fan is okay, and Burna Boy can make it up to them. That’s so sad.”
However, some fans defended Burna Boy's reaction, suggesting that in light of his mental health battles, his instinct to protect himself was understandable.
“He couldn’t have known the fan’s intentions when he jumped on stage,” wrote one commenter.
This is how Burna Boy treats his fans jump on stage during his performance.
— BASITO (@itzbasito) January 1, 2025
Overseas Vs Nigeria pic.twitter.com/eHEEolA87o
Despite the criticism, Burna Boy reminded his critics that he had initially been scheduled to perform for just ten minutes at the free concert but ended up entertaining the crowd for nearly an hour.
“It was a free show. I was supposed to do 10 mins and did almost an hour,” he explained, suggesting that his abrupt exit was more about self-preservation than a lack of appreciation for his audience.