Touching Stories Will Empty Your Bank Account—Zubby Michael Doesn’t Hold Back

A recent social media post by Nollywood actor Zubby Michael has sparked widespread debate across Nigerian online spaces, as he delivered a blunt message aimed at those who constantly give money to others out of emotional impulse.

The post, which quickly went viral on platforms like X and Instagram, touches on the dangers of unchecked generosity, misplaced loyalty, and the emotional manipulation that often comes with feel-good “touching stories.”

Zubby’s words may have sounded harsh, but many believe they reflect a deep truth about modern society and the toxic cycle of giving without boundaries.

In his now-trending post, Zubby wrote: “If you keep doing transfer for every touching story, one day na your story go touch pass their own.”
Translated loosely into Standard English, the actor was warning that if you continue to send money to every person who tugs at your heartstrings, eventually you may end up in a worse condition than those you’re trying to help.

It’s a common scenario in communities where support is often communal, where emotions run deep, and where social guilt can be weaponized to squeeze generosity out of people, especially those perceived to be successful.

Zubby didn’t stop there.

He added that the same people you think you are helping today will not hesitate to mock you once you’ve been drained of your resources.

In his words: “Those people you think you’re helping today, once they run you dry, they’ll still turn around to mock your lack of sense. ”

This portion of the post struck a chord with many Nigerians who have experienced this cycle firsthand—being praised when they give and being ridiculed when they have nothing left.

Perhaps the most biting part of the post was the mockery directed at the familiar “Hide my identity” trope often seen in anonymous confession pages and message boards.

Zubby warned: “Don’t come online with your story tomorrow and inbox us with ‘Hide my identity’. ”
This jab was aimed at people who find themselves in financial crisis after giving too much, then return online seeking sympathy, hiding their faces and names while narrating their own downfall.

According to Zubby, many of these stories were preventable.

He ended the post with an emphatic: “Receive sense or you will cry blood!”
This phrase, though dramatic, is commonly used in Nigerian slang to express the consequences of ignorance or stubbornness.

It’s a wake-up call to people who are too trusting, too generous, or too easily manipulated by emotional blackmail disguised as human compassion.

The backlash and support that followed were equally intense.

Thousands of users reposted and shared the statement, with some thanking the actor for saying what many have been too afraid to admit.

Others criticized the tone, calling it harsh, arrogant, or unnecessarily dismissive of real struggles that people face.

Supporters of Zubby Michael’s viewpoint argue that emotional manipulation through “touching stories” has become a business model in itself.

From fake crowdfunding campaigns to exaggerated personal tragedies, many people have developed a sixth sense for pulling at heartstrings to secure money.

Once they receive the help, they often disappear or grow distant—sometimes even bitter—toward those who helped them, especially if they feel exposed or indebted.

On the flip side, critics argue that generosity, even when taken advantage of, is a virtue.

They insist that not everyone who shares a sad story is manipulating others, and that in a world already full of indifference, shutting your heart completely is not the solution.

But even these critics quietly acknowledge that some form of discernment is needed, and that blind giving—especially to strangers online—can be dangerous.

Psychologists and social behavior experts have also weighed in on the conversation.

According to Dr.Mabel Ifeanyi, a Lagos-based behavioral psychologist, the emotional and cultural dynamics behind giving are complex.

“In Nigeria, there is a strong societal expectation to give, especially if you’re perceived as ‘doing well,’” she explains.

“But constant giving out of guilt or emotional pressure leads to burnout, resentment, and financial instability.”

She adds that setting healthy boundaries is not selfishness—it is wisdom.

There is also the cultural context.

In African societies, where community and extended family ties are strong, giving is often seen as an obligation, not a choice.

Refusing to help can lead to being labeled proud, wicked, or even cursed.

Zubby Michael’s post challenges this cultural script, asking people to think twice before they allow themselves to be drained emotionally, financially, and mentally.

Several influencers and celebrities echoed his sentiments, sharing their own experiences of being taken advantage of by people who wore masks of pain to access their wallets.

Some recalled friends who disappeared after receiving financial help.

Others spoke about relatives who demanded support but never offered gratitude or returned any form of kindness when the tables turned.

The broader conversation triggered by Zubby’s post is not just about money—it’s about self-respect, discernment, and emotional maturity.

It is about the idea that while empathy is important, it must be balanced with wisdom.

It is a call for people—especially young Nigerians navigating the pressure of success and visibility—to protect their energy and resources.

To give, yes, but to give smartly.

To love people, but to not lose themselves in the process.

As the comment sections fill with both praise and criticism, one thing is clear: Zubby Michael’s message hit a nerve.

Whether you agree with the tone or not, the question remains—how do you balance compassion with caution?
At what point does helping others start hurting you?

In an age where touching stories circulate faster than facts, and where guilt is sometimes used as a tool of manipulation, Zubby’s words have become more than a rant.

They’re a reflection of a deeper struggle within a society learning to draw the line between giving from the heart—and losing everything because of it.