Nigerian Idol prize money: Who owes K-Peace? By Oludayo Salami

Kunle Ogunrombi, popularly known as K-Peace, has once again raised concerns about unpaid prize money from his 2015 victory on Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol.

His recent interview on The Honest Bunch podcast has reignited discussions about prize settlements after reality TV shows in Nigeria.

As the winner of a reality TV show backed by Etisalat at the time, K-Peace deserves the money he won.

However, his claims contain inconsistencies. It’s possible they were intentionally framed to stir public sentiment, knowing that most people would react to a snippet rather than seek the full story. Whatever the intention, the narrative has turned out to be misleading.

So, here are the facts:

• Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol was organized by Optima Media Group in 2015.
• The prize package included ₦7.5 million, a brand-new car, a recording deal, and high-end devices.
• K-Peace won the season and was entitled to the full prize.
• In past interviews, he admitted to receiving ₦5 million and the car.
• The next season took place six years later under a different brand, which revived the show as Nigerian Idol.
• A recent snippet of K-Peace’s podcast interview implied that the organizers never paid him.

The public naturally sides with an underdog in any dispute. However, an underdog who seeks public support must tell a coherent story.

If K-Peace still hasn’t received the full amount, he should call out those responsible. He won Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol in 2015, so if there’s an outstanding balance, his demands should be directed at Etisalat (now rebranded as 9mobile) or the franchise owners at the time, Optima Media Group. Publicly addressing the right entity will put pressure on them and increase his chances of getting what he is owed.

A background check reveals that Nigerian Idol went on a six-year hiatus after K-Peace’s season and was revived in 2021. Since then, the show has produced four winners—Kingdom Kroseide, Progress Chukwuyem, Victory Gbakara, and Chima Udoye—all of whom received their prizes. This suggests the issue lies with the former organizers.

To get justice, K-Peace must clarify his claims. Is he seeking the remaining ₦2.5 million, or is he alleging he was never paid anything? Most importantly, he must call out the specific entity holding his prize. If he remains vague, Nigerians may end up supporting the wrong fight.

This is 2025—there’s no need for fear or hesitation. If there’s money to be recovered, the right people must be held accountable. But without clarity, this risks becoming just another social media distraction.

K-Peace, Nigerians are willing to help—but only if the facts are clear.