For many years, singers and musicians in Nigeria have made songs about their country. These songs protest against how badly people live in Nigeria and what the government is doing. Many of these artists use their songs to tell the government when they think it’s not doing a good job. They sing about what they want the government to do better.
There are lots of songs that protest against the problems in Nigeria. These problems have been happening for a long time. Some songs talk about problems from years ago, while others talk about current issues.
We have chosen 10 special songs from all these songs about Nigeria’s problems. These 10 songs are very powerful. When people listen to them, they might feel like they want to change things in Nigeria to make life better.
These songs are called “timeless” because even though some of them are old, they still matter today. They can make people think about how to improve their country, no matter when the songs were made.
Here are 10 Nigerian protest songs that should be on your protest playlist.
1. Fela Anikulapo Kuti – International Thief Thief (ITT)
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Afrobeat pioneer, is well-known for his outspoken criticism of the military governments that ruled Nigeria with a heavy hand. He has several songs that address government corruption and speak to the conscience of Nigerians.
One of his most impactful songs, “ITT”, is a direct indictment of the corrupt practices within the Nigerian government. This song inspires anger and sustains the current efforts to change the system for the better.
2. Majek Fashek – Police Brutality
The famous artist, Majek Fashek, recorded “Police Brutality” in 1988 to highlight the violence that Nigerian security forces inflicted on the people.
Even decades later, police brutality remains a serious issue, as seen in the #EndSARS movement, which is perhaps Nigeria’s largest civilian mass protest.
This song still resonates today as it draws attention to the ongoing struggles faced by Nigerian youths and the broader population.
3. Lagbaja – Suruu Lere
Lagbaja, a legend in Afrobeats, created the classic song “Suruu Lere”, which captures the many challenges that have prevented Nigerians from fully enjoying the benefits of democracy.
The song serves as a reminder that even after 63 years of independence, Nigeria is still grappling with issues like corruption, tribalism, and poverty.
“Suruu Lere” is a call to action, urging Nigerians to demand better from the corrupt leaders who have put the country in its current state.
4. Eedris Abdulkareem – Jaga Jaga
When Eedris Abdulkareem released “Jaga Jaga”, it struck a chord with Nigerians and quickly became a hit. The song was so influential that it was banned on radio and even drew criticism from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Despite being released 18 years ago, “Jaga Jaga” still reflects the state of Nigeria today, with increasing poverty and a continued decline in living standards. The lack of progress since 2004 should inspire listeners to demand meaningful change.
5. 2Baba – 4 Instance
2Baba, a prominent Nigerian musician, released “4 Instance in 2006 to criticize the high level of corruption and poor governance in the country.
The song is a reminder that, despite the passage of time, little has changed. Politicians still treat the public purse as their private property, and this song encourages people to reflect on the ongoing issues in Nigeria.
6. Asa – Jailer
Asa’s song Jailer is a powerful reminder of the metaphorical jail that Nigeria has become, where citizens are trapped in psychological, economic, social, and religious constraints.
This song urges listeners to free themselves from the ideological, economic, and religious chains imposed by the political elite. “Jailer” is a call for self-liberation and resistance against oppression.
7. African China – Mr. President
“Mr. President” by African China remains as relevant today as it was when it was released in 2006. The song serves as a reminder to Nigeria’s political leaders to govern justly and ensure that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, regardless of status, religion, or creed.
Sixteen years later, “Mr. President” still reflects the unfulfilled hopes of Nigerians and the persistent issues that have not been addressed.
8. Wande Coal – Shey Na Like This?
Wande Coal’s song “Shey Na Like This?” succinctly captures the dire state of Nigeria and the daily hardships Nigerians face due to poor governance.
The song is a reminder that positive change will not come by merely hoping for it; instead, people must rise up and demand it. This song encourages listeners to take action and not remain passive in the face of adversity.
9. Sound Sultan featuring MI Abaga – “2010”
“2010” by Sound Sultan, featuring MI Abaga, was released in anticipation of a year that was hyped as a turning point for Nigeria when citizens were promised basic amenities and good governance. However, 2010 came and went with little change.
“2010” reflects the disappointment of Nigerians who were sold a vision of a functional society that never materialized.
10. Burna Boy featuring M.anifest – Another Story
“Another Story” by Burna Boy, featuring M.anifest, expresses the frustration of Nigerians who have grown tired of hearing the same empty promises from politicians every election cycle.
Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, leaders have repeatedly pledged to transform the country into a paradise, yet the reality has remained far from those promises.
If you are fed up with the status quo, and you’re inspired to demand real change from the government, these protest songs are for you.
Grammy-nominated singer Ayra Starr is achieving new heights in her career as she joins the legendary band Coldplay on their Australian tour.
Currently, the Music of the Spheres 2024 World Tour has Coldplay headlining 11 dates across Australia and New Zealand.
First, Ayra Starr joins Zimbabwean singer Shone and Australian X Factor contestant Emmanuel Kelly as opening acts for the multi-award-winning group. Consequently, this opportunity allows her to perform in front of large international audiences.
Moreover, at their Coldplay concert at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, Ayra Starr energetically entertains thousands of fans. Specifically, she performs her hit single “Rush” and additionally thrills the audience with popular tracks from her sophomore album, ‘The Year I Turned 21’.
Her engaging stage presence and unique sound made an impression on Coldplay’s fans. Further marking yet another success for the Nigerian star, she continues to expand her global influence.
Adding to her impressive achievements, Ayra Starr features on Coldplay’s latest album, ‘Moon Music’. She collaborates with the band on the track “Good Feeling.”
This collaboration is particularly historic, as she becomes only the fourth woman to feature on a Coldplay track. Interestingly, she follows the likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Selena Gomez, in the band’s nearly 30-year history.
Ayra Starr has enjoyed an exceptional 2024, which began with a historic Grammy nomination. Furthermore, this makes her the first Nigerian female lead artist to earn this recognition.
Her album, ‘The Year I Turned 21’, continued to build her commercial success with standout guest appearances from Nigerian stars Asake and Seyi Vibez, American R&B artists Giveon and Coco Jones, and Brazilian sensation Anitta.
Each collaboration has contributed to her global appeal, further establishing her as one of Africa’s top music exports.
Recently, Ayra Starr received nominations for the 2024 MTV EMAs in two categories—Best New Artist and Best Afrobeats.
As her global presence grows, she is set to represent Africa proudly at the awards show on November 10 in Manchester. This would mark another milestone in her remarkable journey.
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Michael Collins Ajereh, the visionary founder of Mavin (Records) Global, better known by his stage name Don Jazzy, announced a significant expansion within the company. He announced Tega Oghenejobo as the new president of Mavin Records.
Tega has been an integral part of Mavin’s journey. Now, his position as President has elevated his status in the company. In addition, he has been in the existing role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Don Jazzy expressed his admiration for Tega’s passion and resilience. He acknowledged his ability to spot these qualities in Tega from the early stages of their professional relationship.
He said,
“I’m proud to announce @TEGAMAVIN expanded role as President and COO of Mavin. I am often praised for being able to spot and raise superstars, but I can proudly say the most genius thing I have done in my life was being able to spot the passion and resilience in Tega.”
I’m proud to announce @TEGAMAVIN expanded role as President and COO of Mavin. I am often praised for being able to spot and raise superstars, but I can proudly say the most genius thing I have done in my life was being able to spot the passion and resilience in Tega. From the… pic.twitter.com/q55TSODQMP
“From the early days, I’ve watched him be curious about the business, build teams, develop executives, and ensure our talents have sustainable careers from the start. His commitment to growing Mavin and shaping the future of African music has been relentless, and I’m confident that with him in this role, we’ll continue to break new ground and achieve even bigger milestones for our artists and company,” he added.
Accepting the appointment gracefully, Tega Oghenejobo said,
“I’m honored to step into this new role as President & COO of Mavin Records. It means embracing new challenges, setting new goals, and reaching new heights. Thank you, Supreme Leader @donjazzy, for your unwavering belief and trust in me to lead the Mavin team.”
Released on October 18, 2024, Wizkid’s single “Piece of My Heart“, featuring Brent Faiyaz quickly achieved early success, setting new streaming records across platforms. This RnB track, blending Wizkid’s favoured mid-tempo bounce with rich RnB fusion, has captivated fans and secured impressive milestones.
Most notably, “Piece of My Heart” now holds the record for the largest streaming week on YouTube Nigeria, accumulating an astonishing 1.20 million streams. This feat surpasses the previous record of 1.18 million streams held by Fireboy’s “Peru” remix featuring Ed Sheeran.
Adding to its list of accomplishments, “Piece of My Heart” also shattered the record for the biggest opening day streams on Spotify Nigeria, taking the lead from Wizkid’s previous record, which he shared with Asake’s “MMS.”
Notably, the single became the first song from any African artist to achieve over 1 million streams on its release day on Spotify, reflecting the impressive reach of Wizkid’s music and the growing influence of African artists in global streaming metrics.
These achievements underscore Wizkid’s status as one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful artists, whose music continues to resonate widely across digital platforms.
Not only does the record-breaking performance of “Piece of My Heart” reinforce Wizkid’s influence, but it also highlights the rapid expansion of streaming in Nigeria.
Platforms like YouTube and Spotify have increasingly become vital for music distribution, with YouTube remaining a particularly popular streaming choice for Nigerian audiences.
This single also marks the beginning of Wizkid’s “Morayo” era, setting the stage for his highly anticipated sixth album, which is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024.
As the Grammy-winning artist prepares to unveil this new project, the unprecedented success of “Piece of My Heart” positions him to continue breaking barriers and elevating the presence of African music in the global arena.
