Accra, Ghana — Ghanaian singer King Promise has denied claims that he said Lagos, Nigeria, is bigger than the entire nation of Ghana. The statement, which went viral over the weekend, sparked heated debate across social media platforms in both countries.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The alleged quote attributed to the award-winning artist read, “The whole of Ghana is not bigger than Lagos. Lagos is bigger than the whole of Ghana. Ghana is 24 million people.” Social media users claimed King Promise made the remark while speaking to Nigerian streamer Peller.

However, there is no verified video, interview, or official transcript showing the singer made the comment. Checks by multiple news outlets and fact-checkers revealed that no credible source has published or recorded such a statement.

King Promise’s management has also dismissed the circulating post, describing it as misleading and taken out of context. A representative close to the artist told local media that the viral quote “does not reflect King Promise’s words or opinions” and urged fans to ignore misinformation spread online.

Background

King Promise, born Gregory Bortey Newman, is one of Ghana’s most popular Afrobeats singers, known for hit songs such as “Terminator” and “CCTV.” The singer has often spoken about the friendly rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria in the music industry but has emphasized respect and collaboration between artists from both countries.

In a previous interview earlier this year, King Promise said it was “unfair to compare Ghana’s music industry to Nigeria’s” because of Nigeria’s larger population and investment base. He also praised Nigerian musicians for creating global opportunities that benefit the wider African music scene.

The new controversy began after a clip circulated on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok showing Peller discussing Ghana’s entertainment industry. Some users edited the footage and attached captions suggesting that King Promise made the disputed statement during the exchange.

Public Reaction

The viral post quickly drew attention from both Ghanaian and Nigerian audiences. Some users criticized the alleged remark as “disrespectful,” while others defended King Promise, saying the quote was fabricated to stir unnecessary tension.

A Twitter user wrote, “This is clearly fake. King Promise would never say that. People just want to cause confusion.” Another commented, “Even if he said it, Lagos is huge, but comparing it to a whole country makes no sense.”

The controversy also reignited discussion about inaccurate comparisons between African nations and cities. Experts say such debates, when based on false claims, can fuel unnecessary rivalry instead of encouraging cultural exchange and collaboration.

Fact Check

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana’s population stands at over 33 million, far higher than the “24 million” mentioned in the viral quote. Lagos, meanwhile, is home to about 20 million people depending on metropolitan estimates, making it one of Africa’s largest cities — but still not larger than Ghana in landmass or population.

As of Monday, King Promise has not made an official public statement on the matter. However, sources close to his management say the artist plans to address the controversy in an upcoming interview to set the record straight.

The episode highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age, especially as short clips and edited content spread rapidly online. Media analysts are urging fans to verify information before sharing and to rely on credible outlets for entertainment news.

Until official footage or verified evidence emerges, the claim that King Promise said Lagos is bigger than Ghana remains unfounded and misleading.