Elon Musk Stays Silent as Maxwell Chikumbutso Inspires a Nigerian Man To Build a Cybertruck | HO!!!!

July 17, 2025

What if everything you thought you knew about Africa’s role in the future of technology was dead wrong? What if, far from the glitzy labs of Silicon Valley, a self-taught Nigerian innovator just shattered the global narrative—armed with nothing but scrap metal, big dreams, and a little inspiration from one of Africa’s most controversial inventors? Welcome to the wild, real-life story of Yakabad, the young Nigerian who built his own Cybertruck from scratch, and the deafening silence from Tesla’s billionaire boss, Elon Musk.

The Viral Sensation from the Streets of Aba

It started like any other day in Aba, Nigeria’s gritty industrial hub, famous for its metal artisans and relentless hustle. But this time, the world was watching. In early June 2025, TikTok exploded with jaw-dropping clips from @Yakabad: a real, working Cybertruck, not rolling out of a billion-dollar Gigafactory, but bumping down the dusty roads of Aba, built by a local craftsman with nothing but his bare hands and a vision.

The truck wasn’t some cheap knockoff. Yakabad fabricated the body from scrap steel, re-engineered the chassis, and cobbled together working brakes, clutch, and steering from salvaged parts. Under the hood? A scavenged engine—no high-tech batteries here, just pure, raw ingenuity. The cost? About $1,200—less than the price of a single Tesla wheel.

A New Kind of African Dream

But this is more than a viral video. It’s a revolution. For years, Africa’s youth have been told to “Japa”—flee abroad for better opportunities. Instead, Yakabad stayed. He didn’t wait for government grants, scholarships, or a Silicon Valley handout. He built his future from the ground up, defying every stereotype about African innovation.

And the world took notice. Social media lit up with rumors: Did Elon Musk himself see the videos? Was the world’s richest man really searching for this mysterious Nigerian genius? A parody X (formerly Twitter) account even claimed Musk had invited Yakabad for a face-to-face meeting after seeing his creation. “Elon Musk invites young Nigerian boy who built a Tesla truck from scratch using waste products,” read the viral tweet.

But as the internet buzzed with excitement, one thing stood out: Musk’s official channels were silent. No retweets. No acknowledgments. No congratulatory DMs. Nothing.

The Maxwell Chikumbutso Connection: Inspiration or Warning?

To understand the stakes, you have to know Maxwell Chikumbutso—a Zimbabwean inventor who once claimed to have built a device that defied the laws of physics, powering vehicles and homes from thin air. His story is legendary: after alleged poisoning attempts and government crackdowns, Chikumbutso was forced into the shadows, his inventions dismissed as “impossible” by authorities who refused to even patent his work.

Maxwell’s fate is a cautionary tale for every African innovator. “We were poisoned at that time. Dr. Teddy didn’t make it. He died in January 2017. I survived by the grace of God,” Chikumbutso once revealed. African governments, instead of celebrating their own, often turn a blind eye—or worse, crack down on them.

Yakabad, watching from Nigeria, took a different lesson: Build anyway. Let the world see what’s possible.

A Cybertruck for the People—or a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?

Let’s be clear: Yakabad’s Cybertruck isn’t just a cosplay prop. Footage shows it running, steering, and stopping. It’s not as advanced as Musk’s $100,000 “Cyberbeast” with its bulletproof stainless steel and futuristic software, but it’s real, it works, and it was built for pennies on the dollar.

But the dark side of this viral fame is lurking. Tesla holds patents on the Cybertruck’s design, engineering, and branding. In the West, this kind of homebrew innovation could mean lawsuits, fines, or even jail time for IP violations. In Nigeria, where patent law is patchy and corruption rampant, Yakabad’s future is uncertain. One wrong move and the authorities—or Tesla’s lawyers—could swoop in, seize the truck, or worse.

Is Musk’s silence a sign of respect, or a prelude to legal action? Is he plotting to make Yakabad an example, or will he recognize the raw talent and offer a lifeline?

Copycat or Creator? The Real Story

Western media loves a rags-to-riches story—so long as it ends with a billionaire “discovering” an African genius. But what if this time, the story is different? What if Yakabad isn’t looking for a ticket out, but a chance to build up? What if Africa’s future isn’t about copying the West, but about creating something new, with whatever materials are at hand?

Yakabad’s build is more than mimicry—it’s a statement. Where others see junk, he sees possibility. Where the world expects resignation, he delivers defiance. His Cybertruck is a protest on wheels: against poverty, against neglect, against the idea that innovation only happens in the West.

Legal Threats and the Shadow of Erasure

But every hero’s journey has a villain. Will Tesla come after Yakabad? Will Nigerian authorities step in to “protect” foreign interests? The risk is real. Tesla’s global patents are ironclad, and Nigeria’s legal system is unpredictable. One viral video could turn into a nightmare: the truck impounded, the builder arrested, the dream destroyed.

It’s happened before. Maxwell Chikumbutso’s inventions were dismissed, his patents denied, his health and career threatened. Are we about to watch history repeat itself?

Africa’s DIY Revolution: Hype or Hope?

The truth is, Yakabad is not alone. From Kenya’s maker spaces to Ghana’s tech hubs, from South Africa’s garages to Nigeria’s street workshops, Africa is teeming with raw, untapped talent. Young inventors are building drones from cardboard, solar panels from scrap, irrigation systems from broken fans. But without investment, legal protection, and real mentorship, these stories rarely make the headlines.

Imagine what Yakabad could do with a $10,000 grant, a real workshop, a team of engineers, and a mentor from MIT. Imagine if, instead of fearing lawsuits, he had a patent lawyer on speed dial. What if his next creation wasn’t a replica, but a revolution—solar-powered rickshaws for rural communities, armored rescue vehicles for flood zones, or sustainable cars made entirely from recycled materials?

The Real Message: Africa Is the Story

Yakabad’s Cybertruck may never match Tesla’s specs, but it’s already done something more important: it’s ignited a spark across the continent. From Lagos to Lusaka, Nairobi to Niamey, millions of young Africans are watching, dreaming, building. They see themselves in Yakabad—not as copycats, but as pioneers.

His journey is a mirror, reflecting the untold story of African resilience, creativity, and grit. In a world that celebrates American garage inventors and Chinese tech whizzes, why not Africans? Why not now?

Will Musk Break the Silence?

As of today, Elon Musk remains silent. Is he quietly plotting a lawsuit, or quietly impressed? Will he offer Yakabad the mentorship—and funding—that African governments won’t? Or will this be another case of global talent ignored, erased, or exported?

One thing is certain: the world is watching. And this time, Africa refuses to be left out of the story.

What do you think? Is Yakabad the future of African innovation, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this story—because this is one headline that deserves the world’s attention.