Former Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Students’ Union Government President, James Adio, has opened up about one of the most difficult moments of his life, revealing how singer Tiwa Savage’s handling of her leaked private tape inspired him to remain resilient after his own explicit video surfaced online.
Adio said the backlash that followed the circulation of the video was overwhelming, but instead of allowing the controversy to define him, he chose to focus on moving forward. According to him, seeing how Tiwa Savage weathered a similar public scandal convinced him that it was possible to overcome the situation.
Speaking during an interview with Tiamiyu Adebayo TV on Thursday, conducted in Yoruba and translated into English, the former student leader said he drew strength from the Afrobeats star's experience after her private tape leaked in 2021.
“Tiwa Savage, the popular musician, faced something like this… in fact, I am not half of where she was… but she overcame.”
He added:
“I have not come this far to give up.”
Adio explained that he did not immediately realise the magnitude of the online reactions because he was initially unaware of what was happening on social media. It was only after checking his phone that he discovered the flood of comments and discussions surrounding the leaked video.
“Going through my phone that day when it happened, I was not even aware of what people were saying online. But when I came online and read through some comments, I was like, ah, if I actually give up, I have failed the people because they actually believe in me.”
According to him, the encouragement he received from former students and supporters reinforced his determination to remain focused despite the criticism.
Reflecting on his journey to becoming FUOYE SUG president, Adio described the election as one of the toughest battles he had ever fought, revealing that he defeated 13 other contestants to emerge victorious.
“It was a very tough battle. I had 13 opposition. I have seen life to an extent. A lot of people will be looking for your downfall and that you don’t deserve it. I am young, but I have seen a lot.”
He also said the support he enjoyed after the scandal reflected the goodwill he had built during his tenure as student union president.
“We fought for our students… that’s why when it came out, a lot of students came out to fight.”
Beyond the support from students and associates, Adio credited his family—especially his mother—for helping him recover emotionally from the ordeal. He admitted that he had feared rejection from his loved ones but instead received understanding and encouragement.
“The number one thing that gave me the push is my mom, my family. I was even thinking my family was going to rebuke me, but it didn’t happen, and that gave me the push I needed.”
Adio's comments come months after he became the centre of two major controversies at FUOYE. In June, the university suspended him over allegations of financial extortion involving newly admitted students, claiming that about ₦700,000 in unauthorised levies had been traced to his bank account.
Shortly after the suspension, an explicit private video allegedly involving him surfaced on social media, sparking widespread reactions and drawing the attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The fallout from the incident also led to disciplinary action by the university, which suspended two students over allegations of cyberbullying and blackmail related to the circulation of the video.
Despite the controversies that marked the final phase of his tenure and academic journey, Adio has since completed his studies and officially signed out from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.