Mr Macaroni: I was reckless, betrayed, lost ₦500m in scam, bad investment

By Tosin Brown

Nigerian actor and content creator, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has opened up about the challenges he has faced over the past five years, including financial recklessness, betrayal, and a massive loss of ₦500 million due to scams and bad investments.

The 31-year-old entertainer took to X to share his ordeal in a heartfelt message, which he described as a “letter of love” to his fans and community.

“You all know I never bring my personal issues to social media,” he wrote. “I only wish to share this with my community because I want people to learn from my experience. A part of me won’t rest until I publicly thank God for His grace, so I feel obliged to do this.”

Mr Macaroni revealed that between 2021 and 2022, he was a victim of a scam and a failed investment that wiped out all his savings.

“It shook me deeply, but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you’d know I don’t like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and still be helping others solve their problems, but I would never share mine,” he said.

Determined to keep his career moving forward, he borrowed money to meet financial obligations, believing his earnings in the millions would cover the debts. However, he soon realized that he was using most of his income to pay off interest rather than the actual debt.

“My financial recklessness didn’t help either. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, be responsible,” he warned.

Admitting his longtime struggle with money management, he described himself as someone who gives generously, sometimes to his own detriment.

“I would give out my money for lunch to someone who didn’t have breakfast, forgetting that I would go hungry when it’s time for lunch,” he wrote. “I have somehow attributed that to a mandate from God. I tell myself all the time that the reason God has blessed me with anything I have is so that I can help people. But I know that even God does not want us to be reckless.”

Beyond financial troubles, Mr Macaroni spoke about being betrayed by someone he considered a close friend and sister.

“The last straw was when I was betrayed by someone whom I have always loved as a friend and sister. She betrayed my trust, love, and confidence, and for that, I was completely destabilized,” he said.

Despite his usually cautious nature, he admitted that this particular betrayal caught him off guard.

“I hardly trust people, and nothing really surprises me about human actions, but this one, I could never have prepared for. Such was the level of trust and love.”

Despite the setbacks, 2024 marked a significant moment in Mr Macaroni’s acting career, with two of his films screened at international festivals and several others receiving critical acclaim.

However, it was also his most difficult year, as he grappled with the burden of being over ₦500 million in debt.

“But one thing about me is that I’m a warrior! I have never backed down from a fight. When I fall, I bounce back even stronger by God’s grace, and I keep my head up,” he said.

With the support of family and friends, he made tough decisions and began rebuilding his life.

Ending his message on a hopeful note, Mr Macaroni encouraged people facing difficulties not to give up.

“People will betray you, but you must not let that derail you. You are alive for a reason. Every day of your life, you must fight to be a better person than you were yesterday. You must also be accountable, seek help, and make better decisions.

“It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What is not okay is to keep repeating the same mistakes. May the love in our hearts be forever greater than the hate, betrayal, and wickedness in the world,” he concluded.