Nigerian singer Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, popularly known as Seyi Shay, has stirred fresh controversy after openly claiming she was once a member of the Illuminati.
For years, whispers have trailed Nigerian entertainers about alleged ties to the secretive group, but Seyi Shay’s disclosure stands out as one of the rare times a star has spoken so candidly about such rumours.
Speaking on the OffAir Podcast with Gbemi and Toolz, the “Yolo Yolo” hitmaker described her involvement as a distinct “phase” in her career.
“That’s when I was in the Illuminati. That’s when I joined the Illuminati. That’s when it was official. Do you understand? I was an Illuminati member,” she declared.
She went further to explain that while most fans might not have noticed, insiders within the entertainment industry were often aware of those who had such connections.
“It’s not the fans, guys. It’s the people in the industry… the ones who work with me, work with her, work with that one,” she added.
The revelation has since set social media abuzz, with some fans expressing shock while others dismiss it as a playful exaggeration. Either way, Seyi Shay has reignited one of Afrobeats’ longest-running conspiracy debates.
“I was an illuminati member…”
— Seyi Shay pic.twitter.com/FGvHEVd4JE
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 2, 2025