Social media activist VeryDarkMan has unveiled a newly completed secondary school and clinic in Odiokwu community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, built with funding from Grammy-winning Afrobeats singer Burna Boy.
The project, reportedly costing more than ₦250 million, features modern classrooms, a healthcare facility, a library, educational equipment, a football field and perimeter fencing.
VeryDarkMan, who supervised the project, recently shared a video tour of the completed facilities on social media, giving viewers a closer look at the development while responding to questions about the amount spent on the initiative.
The construction was handled by Fego Works Limited following concerns about the poor condition of the existing school in the community, which prompted Burna Boy to fund its redevelopment and the provision of additional facilities.
Defending the project’s cost in one of the videos, VeryDarkMan said the amount spent was justified, arguing that a similar government-funded project could have attracted a significantly higher budget.
“Now here’s the full project and yes, the whole project cost over 250 million naira and I can beat my chest to say if this was a government project they would have allocated 5 billion for it,” he said.
The activist had earlier announced that the project’s official commissioning would take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Odiokwu Community Secondary School.
The commissioning programme also included a football match between teams representing Ahoada West and Ahoada East, with a ₦1 million prize reportedly set aside for the winners.
One of the most debated aspects of the project has been the cost of the decorative artwork across the premises.
VeryDarkMan previously disclosed that ₦50 million was spent on colourful murals and graffiti featuring Burna Boy, children from the community, the activist himself and other members of the project team.
He defended the expenditure, describing the artwork as “money well spent” amid questions from social media users over whether the amount was necessary.
The project has generated mixed reactions online, with supporters praising Burna Boy for investing in education and healthcare in Rivers State and commending VeryDarkMan for supervising the work.
Others have questioned the overall expenditure, particularly the reported amount spent on the murals, calling for greater clarity on the project’s costs.
Burna Boy’s contribution comes as private individuals and organisations continue to support community development initiatives in Nigeria, where many public schools and healthcare facilities face infrastructure and funding challenges.
The completed school and clinic are expected to improve access to education and basic healthcare for children and residents of Odiokwu and neighbouring communities.
While the facilities have attracted praise, the debate surrounding the project highlights the importance of transparency, accountability and clear documentation when substantial sums are invested in community development.
The initiative represents a significant private-sector contribution to local infrastructure, with its long-term impact likely to depend on the maintenance of the facilities, the quality of services provided and continued support for the community.
