Safiya Umar Divorces Ahmed XM as Safeera Abba Steps In to Defend Him
The high-profile divorce of Safiya Umar, the first wife of Nigerian TikTok star and crypto trader Ahmed Yusuf, popularly known as Ahmed XM, has stirred intense debate across social media.
The drama escalated when Ahmed’s second wife and childhood sweetheart, Safeera Abba, defended him on Snapchat, igniting conversations about love, polygamy, and public scrutiny in Nigeria’s digital age.
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Ahmed Yusuf, 27, rose to fame alongside Safeera Abba, fascinating millions on TikTok with their romantic videos. The two met at Bauchi State University and became a beloved online couple.
However, their relationship ended in 2023, reportedly over compatibility concerns and the risks posed by their shared AS genotype. In early 2024, Ahmed surprised fans by marrying 23-year-old Safiya Umar, a relatively unknown figure at the time, but a close friend of Safeera Abba. Shortly after, they welcomed a daughter, presenting an image of a happy young family.
The situation took an unexpected turn in February 2025 when Ahmed rekindled his relationship with Safeera and married her as his second wife. While the union is permitted under Islamic law, it sparked mixed reactions from fans. Some praised Ahmed’s commitment to both women, while others questioned the emotional dynamics, particularly as Safiya was adjusting to life as a new mother.
On August 3, 2025, Safiya publicly announced her divorce from Ahmed through a statement released by her lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, on Facebook. She revealed that keeping her marital status private had severely impacted her mental health.
“Divorce is a painful matter, but having to announce it for societal validation shows how destructive public assumptions and online pressures have become,” Dantani wrote, adding that Safiya intended to move on and eventually remarry. Her message stressed her need for peace and healing, while her lawyer urged the public to respect her privacy.
The next day, Safeera Abba posted a message on Snapchat in defence of Ahmed amid the backlash. Although the post was not archived, discussions on social media suggest she addressed the divorce and possibly justified Ahmed’s actions or clarified the nature of their relationship. Her defense sparked further debate, with some praising her loyalty and others criticizing her position as the second wife.
Online communities remain divided. On social media platforms, opinions range from support for Ahmed and Safeera’s reunion to sympathy for Safiya, who now faces single motherhood under the public eye.
A Reddit user in the r/Nigeria community commented, “Ahmed recently married Safeera, a year after marrying Safiya. Some see it as love prevailing, others as messy drama.” Instagram comments reflected cultural views, with one user noting, “In Hausa families, the first wife is often chosen by parents, the second by the man’s heart.”
The controversy highlights the complexities of polygamy in Nigeria, where it is both culturally and religiously accepted but becomes a source of contention when amplified by social media. Safiya’s lawyer captured this tension, stating, “Not everything that trends is wise, and not everything private should be public.”
Ahmed Yusuf remains a polarizing figure in Nigeria’s influencer scene. The 27-year-old is not only a TikTok personality but also the founder of XM Academy, a trading school with over 1,000 students, and is known for his lavish lifestyle, which includes ownership of luxury cars such as a Mercedes-Benz GLK and GLE.
Safiya Umar, 23, gained prominence through her marriage to Ahmed but has now stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her daughter and rebuild her life. Safeera Abba, his second wife and long-time partner, continues to attract attention as both a TikTok star and a central figure in this unfolding drama.
