After The Bell: Carter Efe Still Waiting For His Prize Money
Weeks after being declared the winner of a high-profile celebrity boxing contest against street-hop artiste Portable, popular online comedian Carter Efe says he is yet to receive his ₦50 million prize money — and his patience, by his own account, is wearing thin.
In a video circulated across social media platforms, Carter Efe publicly voiced his frustration, stating that despite the physical demands of the fight and the official declaration of his victory, the promised cash prize had not been paid. “I fought, I won, and I’m yet to see my money,” he said in the clip, expressing disbelief at the delay.
The celebrity bout, which drew significant public interest, was not without controversy. Portable, the Zazu crooner, had earlier raised questions about the integrity of the result, alleging that the declared outcome may have been manipulated to protect betting interests linked to his potential win. Those allegations, however, did not alter the official verdict — Carter Efe was confirmed champion.
The ₦50 million prize was publicly advertised as the reward for the match’s winner, a feature that formed a significant part of the event’s promotional campaign and contributed to the widespread attention it attracted ahead of fight night.
Carter Efe’s video complaint has since triggered a wave of reactions online, with many of his followers expressing solidarity and directing criticism at the organisers for what they describe as an unacceptable delay. Several fans have called on the event’s management to honour the commitment made to the winner.
As of the time of this report, the organisers had not issued any public statement addressing Carter Efe’s claims or providing a timeline for the payment.
The situation raises broader questions about accountability in Nigeria’s growing celebrity entertainment events space, where large cash prizes are increasingly deployed as marketing tools to drive ticket sales and viewer engagement — but where post-event financial obligations sometimes go unmet or are delayed without explanation.
Carter Efe, who built his audience through comedy skits and viral content, is among a new generation of digital creators crossing into mainstream entertainment. His boxing match against Portable was part of a wider trend of influencer and celebrity fights gaining traction in Nigeria, modelled loosely after similar events in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Whether the organisers will respond publicly or settle the matter quietly remains to be seen. For now, Carter Efe’s complaint stands unanswered.