“Egede” Trends as Black Axe Marks 48th Anniversary — social media Erupts Amid Cultist Slang and Tensions

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The internet was set ablaze on July 7 as the secretive cult slang “Egede” dominated X (formerly Twitter) trends, marking the 48th anniversary of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) — a date many Nigerians now recognize as a flashpoint for both digital noise and offline tension.

“Egede,” a word deeply rooted in cultist circles, is commonly used in ritual greetings and cryptic communication, often paired with the now-viral phrase:
“Na me Babylon, what must be must be, for the ship to sail to Salama to give Obama Sharmawa who goes🪓🖤 (Egede)” — typically exchanged during their distinctive handshake.

Despite its coded origins, the slang has gone mainstream, especially on social media, where users on July 7th humorously “celebrated” cult culture — drawing criticism from those concerned about glamorizing criminal organizations. Artists and influencers, often dubbed “banger boys,” also jumped on the trend, creating drill tracks and visuals around the word “Egede.”

The Black Axe confraternity, founded in 1977, is part of a larger network of cult groups in Nigeria, including Buccaneers and Pyrates, all of which trace philosophical roots to the Pyrates Confraternity, formed in 1952 by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and six others at the University of Ibadan.

While some used the opportunity to joke or trend online, security agencies nationwide remained on high alert. Historically, July 7 has witnessed clashes and violent confrontations between rival cult groups, especially in university towns and urban slums. Despite the group’s public image as “peaceful,” the day is often linked with bloodshed and tension.

The normalization of cult language in youth culture has sparked concern among sociologists and security experts who warn about the desensitization to cult violence and the blurred lines between digital entertainment and real-world crime.

As “Egede” continues to trend beyond July 7, Nigerians are asking deeper questions: Is this just harmless internet culture, or a symptom of a bigger societal issue?