Nigerian activist and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has once again made headlines—not for controversy or internet drama, but for stepping up to solve a real and urgent problem that many Nigerians face daily: lack of access to clean drinking water. In a public call to action posted across his online platforms, VeryDarkMan urged Nigerians living in communities without access to clean water to send their locations to a phone number linked to his NGO, with a promise that his team would begin borehole drilling projects in the most affected areas.

This move has stirred widespread reactions, mostly positive, as citizens across the country applaud what they consider a rare and genuine effort to address a critical issue through direct action. In his words, “If your community does not have clean drinking water, send your location to us. My NGO will start drilling boreholes across Nigeria. No community deserves to drink from dirty ponds or rely on rain.” That statement has now become a rallying cry across social media, as many share personal stories and photos of dried-up wells, long queues at unreliable public taps, and children walking miles with yellow jerry cans on their heads.

Nigeria’s water crisis is no secret. According to UNICEF, more than 60 million people in Nigeria lack access to basic drinking water services. The situation is especially dire in rural communities, where infrastructure is weak or non-existent. In these places, residents often rely on rivers, streams, or hand-dug wells that are unsafe and contaminated. This has led to high rates of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Yet, despite the severity of the issue, government efforts have often been slow, underfunded, or unsustainable.

That is why VeryDarkMan’s initiative stands out. Unlike many charity drives that remain vague or theoretical, his call to action is both simple and practical. He is not asking for donations, and he is not waiting for international aid. He is offering a direct solution—and all he needs are the locations of the affected communities. Already, thousands of Nigerians have begun responding to the call, flooding the NGO’s contact lines with names of villages, towns, and local government areas where people still fetch water from open sources shared with animals.

This is not the first time VeryDarkMan has used his platform for a cause beyond social media entertainment. Late last year, he launched his NGO with the goal of addressing urgent grassroots problems across Nigeria, including poor access to education, healthcare, and clean water. Within just 24 hours of launching, he raised over ₦21 million from his followers alone—a testament to the strong influence he has built and the trust many have in his mission. In the months since, he has gradually shifted his energy away from online battles and toward real-world activism, a move many of his critics have admitted is both surprising and admirable.

What makes his approach unique is the transparency he promises to uphold. In previous videos, he has pledged to publicly show how every naira is spent. “This is not politics. It’s not business. We are going to film everything—where the boreholes are drilled, how much they cost, who is benefiting. The goal is not just to provide water but to inspire others to act,” he said. This level of openness is rare in Nigeria’s nonprofit sector, which is often plagued by allegations of mismanagement and diversion of funds.

Experts in water and sanitation have welcomed the initiative but also urged for sustainability. “Drilling boreholes is a great start, but what happens after that? Who maintains them? Who repairs them when they break down?” said Dr. Seyi Akinlolu, a water engineer based in Abuja. In response, VeryDarkMan has hinted at plans to train locals in each community to manage the boreholes, ensure proper maintenance, and report issues as they arise.

The buzz around the project has begun attracting attention from traditional rulers, community leaders, and even celebrities, some of whom have offered to support the effort financially or logistically. There are also calls for local governments to partner with the initiative, providing technical support and permits to ensure smooth operations in different states. While it is unclear just how many boreholes the NGO can afford to drill in the short term, the momentum is building fast—and so is the hope.

Social media has also played a major role in amplifying the campaign. On platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, users have started posting videos of their water conditions, tagging the NGO and urging them to come to their aid. Hashtags like #WaterForNigeria, #VeryDarkManCares, and #BoreholesOfHope have begun trending among younger Nigerians, many of whom say they never expected this kind of initiative to come from someone better known for his viral rants than humanitarian work.

But for VeryDarkMan, this is just the beginning. In one of his latest posts, he explained that the borehole initiative is one part of a larger vision. He wants to build a Nigeria where young people don’t have to die from preventable diseases, where children don’t miss school because they spent the morning looking for water, and where ordinary citizens don’t have to wait on politicians to fix their basic needs. “We don’t have to wait for 2027 to do something. Let’s do it now. Let’s save lives now,” he said passionately.

As the responses pour in and the groundwork begins, the nation watches with cautious optimism. If successful, this borehole project could set a new example for citizen-led development, one where influence is used not just for visibility but for real, measurable impact. VeryDarkMan’s journey from outspoken commentator to community builder is a powerful reminder that change can come from anywhere—and anyone. And in a country like Nigeria, where many are tired of promises without action, this may just be the kind of leadership people have been waiting for.