Nigerian music powerhouse Aituaje Vivian Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, has addressed long-standing rumours suggesting she once had a romantic relationship with award-winning rapper Jude Lemfani Abaga, better known as MI Abaga.
Speaking candidly during a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Waje debunked the speculation, explaining that their bond was purely creative and professional.
The singer revealed that the rumours stemmed from their 2010 hit collaboration, “One Naira,” a soulful love song that captivated audiences and fueled assumptions about a real-life romance between the two.
“Because of the rollout and romantic theme of my collaborative song with M.I., One Naira, a lot of people speculated that we were dating. But we never dated. We were just friends who saw how great a love story in a song could be, so we created characters that would help drive the song,” she said.
Waje went on to disclose a surprising detail that M.I’s then-girlfriend actually contributed to the song’s production.
“His then-girlfriend was even the one who did the voice-over, not me,” she explained.
Their collaboration on One Naira became one of the most memorable duets in Nigerian music, known for its heartfelt delivery and on-screen chemistry, which many fans mistook for genuine affection.
Beyond clearing the air on her relationship with M.I., Waje also spoke about her personal views on love and partnership.
She reaffirmed that at this stage in her life, she would not settle for a man who isn’t successful or driven, noting that her age and life experiences have shaped her perspective on relationships and ambition.
Waje’s remarks have since sparked lively online conversations, as fans revisited her classic collaboration with M.I while applauding her honesty and maturity in addressing the rumours.