Is Blord Ratel App a Social Media Clout Stunt or a Revolutionary Tech Shift?
The recent announcement that Blord launches Ratel App has ignited a firestorm of debate across the Nigerian digital space, with many critics questioning whether the platform is a genuine technological advancement or merely a strategic Blord Ratel App clout analysis move to capitalize on the viral “Ratel Movement.”
Linus Williams, known as Blord, is no stranger to the app business, having already established a massive footprint with Billpoint, an app that facilitates VTU, data, and bill payments. The striking similarities between his existing portfolio and this new venture have led skeptics to suggest that the Ratel App might be a redundant piece of software dressed in the trendy garb of social activism to maintain market dominance.
The primary argument for the “clout” theory lies in the timing and branding of the release. By aligning the app with VeryDarkMan (VDM), a figure who currently commands one of the most engaged audiences in Nigeria, Blord has essentially secured millions of dollars worth of free marketing. Critics point out that Billpoint already handles utility payments, data top ups, and airtime purchases, which are also listed as core features of the Ratel App.
From a purely technical standpoint, the question arises: why build a new house when you can simply add a room to your current one? The decision to launch a separate entity rather than integrating “Ratel” features into Billpoint suggests a desire to reset the hype cycle and capture a new demographic of “Ratel” followers who may not have been active on his previous platforms.
However, a deeper look into the Ratel App reveals specific features that differentiate it from the standard bill payment model. Unlike Billpoint, which is localized and transaction focused, the Ratel App introduces a global communication layer through its VoIP soft phone functionality. This allows users abroad to call Nigerian lines without internet for the receiver, a feature that targets the diaspora more directly than Billpoint ever did.
This suggests that while the “clout” of VDM’s movement provided the initial momentum, Blord is attempting to pivot toward a telecommunications hybrid model that competes with the likes of Skype or WhatsApp, but with a uniquely Nigerian street flavor.
The “clout” narrative is further fueled by the app’s social mobilization features. By including portals for community service and environmental sanitization projects, the Ratel App effectively digitizes the “Ratel Movement.” Skeptics argue that these are “vanity features” designed to make the app feel like a movement rather than a business.
They point to Blord’s history of launching multiple apps, such as JetPay and ofunds, some of which have faced user criticism for performance issues. To these observers, the Ratel App is a rebranding exercise designed to distance the Blord brand from past controversies by wrapping it in the popular, “anti establishment” image of VeryDarkMan.
READ ALSO: Fintech: Blord launches Ratel App, Features and Prospects
Ultimately, the success of the Ratel App will determine if it is a lasting utility or a fleeting social media stunt. If the app fails to provide a smoother user experience than Billpoint or if the VoIP services prove unreliable, it will likely be remembered as a masterclass in opportunistic marketing.
However, if it manages to successfully bridge the gap between social activism and digital utility, Blord may prove that “clout” is not just for likes, it is a powerful tool for building a tech empire. For now, the app remains a fascinating experiment in how celebrity influence can be used to bypass traditional tech adoption curves in Nigeria.