The Olosho dating app is a free, location-based chat app that lets you message people near you. The Google Play listing describes it as a fast dating and chat app for meeting people nearby, with text, photo and voice messages. Its name is also Nigerian slang for a sex worker, and user reviews include scam complaints. So it is real, but treat it with care.
Below, we cover what the app claims, what the name means, what users report and what nobody has verified.
Olosho dating app at a glance
| Detail | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Type | Free dating and chat app for meeting people nearby |
| Developer on Google Play | Olosho LLC |
| Features | Text, photo and voice-note chat, nearby profiles |
| Android rating | 4.3/5 with 500k+ downloads, per mwm.ai |
| App Store rating | 4.4 out of 5 from 5.7K ratings, per the App Store |
| Android version | 3.6.8, updated March 5, 2026, 166.19 MB, per Softonic |
Ratings and versions change often, so check the current store listing before you download anything.
What the name “Olosho” means
The slang meaning
“Olosho” is Nigerian slang for a sex worker. One explainer on Medium says it has Yoruba roots, and Untranslatable covers its use in Nigerian Pidgin. It is not a polite word.
Why this matters for the app’s reputation
None of the pages we checked explains why a dating app chose this name. We could not find a statement from the developer on it. What we can say is that the name sets expectations. Many people will assume the app is about casual or paid encounters, whatever the store listing says.
How the Olosho app works
Sign-up and verification
A 9japolytv review says registration needs a name, a username and a face-verification photo. Verification may cut down on some fake accounts, but it does not prove that the person you chat with is who they say they are.
Nearby profiles and chat
Once you are in, you browse profiles close to your location and start chatting by text, photo or voice note. That is the same basic model as most dating apps.
Free versus paid features
The same review says basic use is free. Some user reviews mention payment complaints, so read exactly what any upgrade offers before you pay. Our guides to dating apps in Nigeria for free show what to expect from free tiers elsewhere.
Who uses it and what for
The positioning is mixed. Store pages talk about friendship, dating and serious romance. One review site frames it as built for casual connections and short-term dating, in its Top 20 dating apps list. Users, meanwhile, report everything from genuine chats to scams.
It is not a leader in Nigeria. Appfigures has placed it around #21 in the Google Play dating chart, behind Tinder, Bumpy, AfroIntroductions and Badoo. That chart moves, so check the date.
Is Olosho safe or a scam?
The honest answer: it is not proven to be a scam, and it is not proven safe. The warnings come from user reviews and automated checkers, not from any official finding. We found no police or regulator statement naming Olosho.
What users and trust checkers report
- Some App Store reviews allege payment scams and fake profiles.
- ScamAdviser gave olosho.app a trust score of 0 and noted a hidden WHOIS owner. That check is about two years old.
- JustUseApp shows a safety score of 0.3/100 from 5,636 reviews, yet its own breakdown has 77.1% of users calling the app safe. Those two numbers conflict, so do not lean on either.
Ownership is also unclear. Google Play lists Olosho LLC. Muzmatch says the founder is undisclosed and claims it is run by “Olosho Tech Group” in Lagos, which is unverified and conflicts with the store listing.
Common red flags
- Someone asks for money early, including “transport money” or a fee to meet.
- They refuse to do a video call.
- They push you to move to another app fast.
- They send intimate photos first and ask for yours.
- They ask for card, bank or BVN details.
What Nigerian police say about romance scams and sextortion
The Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre has warned about romance scams and sextortion, urging people to protect their photos and personal and financial details. Leadership also reported the warning. It applies to any dating app, Olosho included.
Want more straight talk on dating apps and romance scams in Nigeria? Browse our dating section for practical guides you can use before you swipe.
Safety tips before you use it
- Use a separate email and do not share your home address or workplace early.
- Do a video call before you trust anyone.
- Never send money to someone you have not met.
- Do not share intimate photos. They can be used against you.
- Meet in a busy public place and tell a friend where you are.
- Screenshot threats and payment demands, then report the account.
If you are scammed or blackmailed, stop paying, keep the evidence, report the profile in the app and report to the police cybercrime unit. For more on spotting fakes, read our guide to legit dating apps in Nigeria.
Is it legal in Nigeria?
We found no source saying the app itself is banned in Nigeria, and no regulator statement about it. Prostitution-related offences exist under Nigerian criminal law, but we did not verify the specific provisions for this article, so we will not quote them. If you are unsure about your legal position, ask a lawyer. Using a chat app to meet people is one thing. Paying for or arranging sex work is another.
Alternatives for Nigerian daters
If the name or the reviews put you off, you have options. Our list of dating apps like Tinder in Nigeria covers apps that work locally, and our piece on whether you can use Tinder in Nigeria explains the basics. Whatever you pick, the same safety rules apply.
Bottom line
Olosho is a real, free, location-based dating and chat app. Its name is loaded, its owner is unclear, and its reviews are mixed. Nothing here says you cannot use it, but go in with your guard up and never pay a stranger.
Note: app ratings, versions and rankings change. The figures above came from the linked pages when we researched this piece, and some trust checks are a couple of years old.
For more, browse our dating section.
Frequently asked questions
Is Olosho a real dating app?
Yes. It is listed on Google Play under the developer Olosho LLC and on the App Store. It describes itself as a free app for meeting people nearby. Real listing does not mean every profile on it is real.
Is the Olosho app free?
Basic use is free, according to one review. Some user reviews complain about payment demands, so read any upgrade offer carefully. Never pay another user directly.
Who owns Olosho?
Google Play lists Olosho LLC as the developer. Muzmatch says the app is run by Olosho Tech Group in Lagos and that the founder is undisclosed. That claim is unverified and conflicts with the store listing.
Does Olosho mean the same as the slang word?
The app shares its name with Nigerian slang for a sex worker. We found no statement from the developer explaining the choice. Store pages market it for friendship and dating, while one review site calls it a casual-hookup app.
