Burna Boy’s community project goes public as he is named among Forbes Africa’s 15 Icons
Afrobeats star Burna Boy is in the spotlight for two reasons this weekend: a school and clinic he reportedly funded in Rivers State, and his place among Forbes Africa’s 15 Icons.
Social media critic VeryDarkMan, known as VDM, arrived in Odiokwu community in Ahoada West Local Government Area on Saturday ahead of the facilities’ commissioning.
He has been reportedly supervising the project. Posting on Instagram, he said ₦50 million went on a mural and graffiti artwork. It shows Burna Boy, children from the community, and members of the project team, including VDM himself. He praised the artists and called the money “money well spent.”
The school and clinic are reportedly valued at ₦250 million, with Fego Works Limited handling construction. The commissioning was scheduled for Saturday, 10 October 2026, at Odiokwu Community Secondary School, starting at 9 a.m. VDM invited the public to attend. A football match between teams from Ahoada West and Ahoada East was also planned.
Reaction online has been mixed. Many praised Burna Boy for putting money into education and healthcare back home, and commended VDM for overseeing the work. Others questioned the cost of the artwork and accused the activist of seeking attention.
The project lands as Burna Boy gets another honour. Forbes Africa’s October–November 2026 anniversary issue, published on 9 October, features “The Icons,” a 15-person selection spanning culture, business, sport, literature and public life. Burna Boy is named alongside Aliko Dangote, Mo Abudu, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Patrice Motsepe, Didier Drogba, Lupita Nyong’o, Trevor Noah and Angélique Kidjo. The list recognises influence and legacy rather than net worth.
Fans on X celebrated the news, with many calling it a milestone for the singer.
