“₦260K for a toy?” Tacha slams Nigerians over viral Labubu doll craze

• Popular reality star Tacha questions the spending habits of Nigerian youths despite the country's economic hardship
• The viral Labubu dolls now sell for over ₦260,000 in Nigerian resell markets
• Reactions have since flooded social media as debates over priorities heat up

Popular media personality and former BBNaija housemate, Tacha Akide, is back in the headlines after calling out Nigerians who are spending hundreds of thousands of naira on the trending Labubu toy, a designer collectible that has recently become a viral status symbol across Nigerian social media.

 In a scathing Instagram post that quickly went viral, Tacha, who relocated to the United Kingdom in 2024, wrote:

 “People are complaining about the economy but spending ₦260K on a toy? This country.”

What Is Labubu, and why is it trending?

Originally made by Hong Kong-based brand Pop Mart, the Labubu doll is a designer figurine that has taken over TikTok and Instagram — especially among fashion influencers and lifestyle creators. In Nigeria, the toy is now seen as a luxury collectible, featured in “what’s-in-my-bag” videos and outfit reels.

The average price of the doll costs between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000, depending on the series. Some resellers in Lagos and Abuja are even listing ultra-rare editions for more.

Tacha’s take divides the internet:

 “She’s saying the truth. You can’t cry about the economy and be buying dolls for rent money,” said @SirLeo_X.

 “Let people enjoy their soft life, please. This is just art collecting for some,” argued @ChyChyB.

“Tacha once sold eyelashes for ₦50K. Now she’s shocked people are buying toys?” added @NaijaTea.

Others saw deeper meaning to Labubu craze

 “This isn’t just spending — it’s escapism. Young people are finding happiness where they can,” tweeted @Ifeoluwa_.

 The Labubu debate touches on something bigger, which is how online trends are reshaping youth identity and spending behaviour in a time of rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

With the cost of living climbing and job opportunities limited, some Nigerians are turning to social media aesthetics — and viral collectibles — as a form of expression and escape.

Tacha shares the identity of her new lover, launches new show

In a previous report, TheRadar reported that Big Brother Naija star Anita Natacha Akide, popular as Symply Tacha, took her endeavours to new heights as she surprised fans with bold moves such as launching her exclusive show and going public with her romance. 

Following her relocation to the United Kingdom, she shared a snippet of herself on a date with an unidentified partner on her X page, raising speculations about the identity of the person.