Charly Boy, popularly known as Area Fada, has once again made headlines after declaring that he paved the way for cross-dressers and self-expression in Nigeria long before it became a social media trend.
In a bold Instagram post, the veteran entertainer — whose real name is Charles Oputa — shared a video of himself wearing makeup and portraying a feminine personality, which he introduced as his alter ego “Linda.”
In the caption accompanying the video, Charly Boy wrote:
“The man called ‘Linda’.
My people make una hear story. Before all these our new cross dressers begin shine for social media, one man don first break that door open.
Him name na AreaScatter. Na Igbo man wey during and after civil war, come out with plaited hair, make-up, dey dress like woman, dey perform, dey make people forget pain.
That man use style heal him people through comedy, through performance.”
Drawing parallels between himself and the late entertainer AreaScatter, Charly Boy explained that his own eccentric image in the 1980s was not mere showmanship but a powerful message about freedom, creativity, and individuality.
He continued:
“When Charly Boy blow for 1983/84 him no just begin sing, he first shock Nigerians. Scatter dem dada.
Him mix music, fashion, politics, truth talk. E wear wig today, leather tomorrow, skirt next week.
E no be joke, na message. He show say him fit be anything wey e want and still get sense, still get voice.
But you know Nigerians, we go always quick judge.
Dem begin shout, E be Agege! E be this, e be that!
Charly Boy laugh, say, If I really be that, una go know! I no go hide.”
According to him, his controversial image back then was a deliberate attempt to challenge stereotypes and legalize self-expression in a society known for its conservative outlook.
“Area Fada legalised self-expression, for freedom, for confidence,” he wrote. “Today you see many people cross dress, makeup, become influencers, dey proud of who dem be but dem no know say somebody first carry that wahala for head when e no sweet, when society go insult you.
So make we give Fada him flowers, as Fineboy no pimples.
Because Charly Boy na man wey show say, You fit be anything you wan be, and still hold your truth. I salute.”
Charly Boy’s message has since sparked conversations online about gender expression, creative freedom, and cultural evolution in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Many fans praised him for being one of the earliest Nigerian entertainers to boldly embrace nonconformity and artistic individuality at a time when such behavior was considered taboo.
