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.
Following the release of her debut album, “Born In The Wild,” Tems has embarked on a world tour, where she thrilled audiences with her chart-topping songs; Ayra Starr joined her for a performance of one of the songs.
In the New York leg of her “Born In The Wild” tour, Tems surprised fans by bringing sensational superstar Ayra Starr on stage for a joint performance. The duo, cheered by the enthusiastic crowd, showcased their friendship and support for each other.
American Grammy-winning star John Legend also made a special guest appearance at Tems’ New York concert, delighting the audience with a rendition of his hit single “Ordinary People.”
While Tems and Ayra Starr have yet to collaborate, many fans, including Rihanna, are eagerly anticipating a future song together. Rihanna has even expressed her willingness to join the track with the talented Nigerian stars.
Tems and Ayra Starr are two of Nigeria’s most successful global exports, whose music has garnered millions of fans and prestigious awards. Tems made history as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, receiving an award for her contributions to Future’s “Wait For U,” which won Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 65th Grammys.
Ayra Starr also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to be nominated as a lead act for her hit single “Rush,” which earned a nod for Best African Song Performance at the 66th Grammys.
Both stars have continued their global ascent with the release of new projects in 2024. Tems released her highly anticipated debut album “Born In The Wild.” At the same time, Ayra Starr dropped her acclaimed sophomore album “The Year I Turned 21,” featuring guest appearances from Giveon, Coco Jones, Aniita, Seyi Vibez, and Asake.
Fireboy‘s “Peru,” released in 2021, quickly became a global sensation, securing a diamond certification in France. The song charted in several countries, including the US, UK, and France. The Afrobeats rhythmic song resonated with audiences worldwide, earning it a commercial success across multiple regions.
Significantly, the song secured the highest certification for a song in France. The remix features British superstar Ed Sheeran, who played a crucial role in propelling the track to international stardom. This version of “Peru” not only charted in over 20 countries but also made a showing on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 53. In the UK, it soared to No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart. Again in France, it reached No. 28, solidifying its status as a global hit.
The success of “Peru” extends beyond just chart performance.
Across both the original and remix versions, the track has amassed over 450 million streams on Spotify alone. It has been awarded a gold plaque in Denmark and achieved double platinum status in the UK. Notably, “Peru” is one of the select Afrobeats songs to earn a platinum certification from the RIAA, further cementing its place in the genre’s history.
Fireboy DML’s “Peru” featuring Ed Sheeran is now certified Diamond in France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/o3Wm75zJS6
Featured on Fireboy’s third album, “Playboy”, “Peru” catapulted him to international fame. This success earned him a BET nomination and a coveted performance slot at the 2022 edition of the awards. Fireboy’s ability to fuse Afrobeats with global appeal has established him as one of Nigeria’s leading musical exports.
With its recent diamond certification in France, “Peru” joins the ranks of other Nigerian hits.
This includes Oxlade’s “Kulosa,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” and Rema’s “Calm Down,” all of which have received SNEP diamond certification.
Building on this momentum, Fireboy continues his global ascent with the release of his fourth album, “Adedamola”. The project features collaborations with prominent artists such as Lagbaja, Grammy nominee Seun Kuti, Lojay, and Grammy Album of the Year winner Jon Batiste, showcasing his ever-expanding influence in the music industry.
Grammy-winning artist Ayodeji Balogun, widely known as Wizkid, proudly emphasized his natural ability to create hit songs with minimal effort. In a candid studio interview, Wizkid disclosed that he records all his major tracks while seated.
This underscores the ease with which he produces chart-topping music. He made it clear that the process of making hits is entirely stress-free for him.
Additionally, Wizkid expressed his strong aversion to traditional music promotion and press interviews, noting that he has a deep understanding of his audience’s preferences and is fully prepared to meet their expectations without the need for extensive publicity efforts.
Further, Wizkid elaborated on his approach, stating, “All my biggest songs from ‘Holla At Your Boy’ to ‘Soco’, ‘Joro’, ‘Ojuelegba’, I recorded them sitting down. You [P2J] know how my things be for Lagos. You’ve been in my house. You know what I do. I’m chilling.”
‘‘I hate doing Promo’’
‘‘ I Recorded All my biggest Songs Sitting Down’’
He went on to explain his disdain for promotional activities, adding, “You get me, no stress. You see promo, I hate doing that sh*t. You know press, I hate doing all that sh*t, bro. I know exactly what the people want. [Producer] P2J is the only n*gga that understands me. All we have to do is turn on the mic.”
Wizkid also touched on the impact of globalization on the music industry, noting that artists no longer need to rely on others to create a buzz around their work. The amazing thing is that the world is now globalized, you don’t need anyone to lie to you,” he concluded.
Furthermore, this insight into Wizkid’s creative process and his approach to the music industry sheds light on why he remains one of the most influential and successful artists of his generation.
His confidence in his talent, combined with his understanding of the evolving global music landscape, continues to set him apart in the industry.
