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Summary
Lolo 1’s revelation of being raped by a fellow broadcaster has reignited public discourse on sexual violence and the culture of silence in Nigeria’s media industry. Her story underscores the emotional toll of speaking out, the fear of not being believed, and the urgent need for societal change to protect and support survivors.
Nigerian media personality and actress Omotunde Adebowale-David, widely known as Lolo 1, has opened up about a harrowing experience of sexual assault by a male colleague in the broadcasting industry. In a recent episode of the “Say My Piece” podcast, which she co-hosts, Lolo disclosed that a fellow broadcaster raped her, an incident she described as deeply traumatic and long-suppressed.
According to Women’s Aid, one in four women (27%) has experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16 (ONS, 2023a). Recent data by UNICEF shows that more than 370 million girls and women alive today, equivalent to one in 8 women, have experienced male sexual violence before the age of 18. Also proven by research carried out in 2024, 58% of women report having experienced potentially harassing behaviours, and 24% report having experienced sexual harassment at work. In another research published in March 2025, the pooled prevalence of workplace sexual violence was 26 per cent, with the prevalence being the highest in Africa.
Reacting to the effect of the assault, Lolo said she has struggled for years to talk about the assault, fearing backlash and judgment over the timing of her disclosure.
“I hardly ever say this, and I am not even ready to tell the full story,” she said on the podcast. “I have been raped only once in my life, and I was raped by a colleague. I see him every other day. Do you know how traumatised I am? When I see him, I just get into this momentary panic.”
She spoke candidly about the stigma that discourages women in the male-dominated media industry from coming forward. Lolo explained that if she named the man, who remains a prominent figure in the broadcasting space, many might question her silence over the past six years.
“If a woman of my calibre named him—he’s an established person in the broadcast industry—won’t people say, ‘How come I didn’t speak about it for all these six years until now that he’s taking a prominent TV position?’” she asked.
Lolo also addressed the psychological impact of sexual assault, particularly the internalised responses of denial and self-blame that many survivors experience. “When sexual assault happens to women, the first thing to happen is denial. The next thing is self-blaming,” she said.
The episode has sparked widespread conversation on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed support for Lolo while condemning the culture of silence and victim-blaming that persists around sexual violence.
Reacting to the video, user ThatPHCBoy referenced the case of Busola Dakolo, writing: “Busola Dakolo named her rapist, and what happened? You people still go to his church; your favourite Daddy GOs still invite him to speak at conferences. Please leave her alone.”
Another user, Raymond, pointed to systemic issues, saying, “There is a huge problem of sexual harassment in this part of the world, and the way they are even trying to shut down Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan goes to why many women decide to just keep quiet and live with the trauma.”
Ariyike highlighted the immediate disbelief that often greets women’s stories. “No name was given, yet men are in the comments calling her a liar and defending this person cos he’s a man. Now, what happens when she gives a name & it’s one of their beloved oga? Big hugs to us women. And damn, be rapists and their apologists! I hope their hell starts from here.”
