Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s ₦1.5bn Boxing Challenge
Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has accepted a boxing challenge from fellow singer Teni, answering with three words that have fans talking. Teni dared her to a fight with a proposed ₦1.5 billion purse in a viral video, and Tiwa’s reply was short: “Pick a date.”
How the challenge started
Teniola Atinuke Apata, popularly known as Teni, shared the video on Friday, October 2, 2026, according to TVC News. She was speaking about how much Nigerian entertainers earn, and about the luxury cars owned by some artistes, when the conversation turned into a joke about a fight.
Teni pictured herself as an angry fighter in the ring and said she was ready to face Tiwa. She put forward ₦1.5 billion as the prize money and asked whether that amount would be enough to buy a Bugatti. She also joked that she would sing a song called “My Darling” to Tiwa after winning. The ₦1.5 billion figure appears to be part of the joke, as no sponsor or organiser has been named.
Tiwa Savage responds
Tiwa, whose hits include “Somebody’s Son”, appeared to take up the challenge when she replied in the comment section of Teni’s post. Many fans read the short reply as an unofficial sign that both women were open to the idea, and the exchange has kept the conversation going online.
Who is Teni?
Teni is known for songs such as “Fargin” and “Askamaya”. She has also built a reputation for bold, attention-grabbing moves beyond music.
Why a celebrity fight sounds believable
The banter comes right after a real celebrity bout that had Nigerians talking. Big Brother Naija winner Phyna knocked out actress Nkechi Blessing in Lagos on October 1. The fight was organised by Balmoral Group Promotions as part of its Chaos in the Ring series. It followed a public feud that began when Nkechi criticised Phyna over her frequent online disputes, and Phyna threatened to beat her.
The series has also featured entertainers including Portable, Charles Okocha, Speed Darlington and Carter Efe. At Chaos in the Ring 4, Carter Efe beat Portable by unanimous decision, after Portable had earlier defeated Okocha and Darlington. Together, these events show that celebrity boxing has become a regular talking point in Nigerian entertainment.
The mix of humour and money talk is also typical of how celebrities use social media to start conversations. This one has already moved from a single video to a wider discussion among fans about artistes’ earnings and lifestyles.
What happens next
No promoter, contract or fight date has been announced, so for now the exchange remains playful. It is also unclear whether the bout will go beyond online banter. Fans will be watching to see whether Tiwa and Teni follow up with an official announcement, and whether a promoter steps in.
We will update this story if either singer, or a promoter, confirms plans.
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