Nigeria is going through one of its most difficult periods in its storied history. Led by tone deaf leaders who could care less about the people they govern, Nigerians are forced to contend with back breaking inflation. As inflation continues to frustrate the lives of Nigerians, the security of Nigerians continues to be threatened by bandits whose activities continue to leave death, tears, sorrow, trauma and pain in its wake. It almost seems like a cloud of doom hovers over citizens as the country’s realities feel heavier by the day.
As Nigeria’s economic realities get harsher by the day, social media conversations around celebrity responsibility remain a recurring one, always resurfacing in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack or another one of the administration’s strangling policies.
The conversation around celebrity responsibility is sharply split into two camps. On one side are those who believe artists and entertainers have a responsibility to consistently use their platforms to speak on national issues and reflect the realities Nigerians are facing. On the other side are those who argue that celebrities are simply citizens with no obligation to comment, and that their creative output alone should be enough.
To understand how everyday Nigerians feel about this ongoing debate, we asked four people to share their honest opinions on whether our celebrities should be speaking out more, and if music itself is a valid way to reflect the nation’s reality.
“Yes, I believe that their voices are louder; they have a bigger audience and stronger influence. Many of them also have government affiliations.” – Isaac
I think their music can also be used as an instrument of reason. They can talk about the misdeeds of the government, but they have to back what they sing with their actions too. They can’t sing songs about bad governance and then be seen praising the government in real life. They still need to be vocal. It’s fair to expect that of them. For example, in 2020, when SARS agents were harassing and killing young youths, Burna Boy was seen on IG Live calling Nigerian youths “cowards,” saying we were too scared to go out and protest. The next day, Falz The Bad Guy came online and asked youths in Lagos to come out for a peaceful protest. And that’s how the EndSARS movement started. That’s the power these celebrities have. Falz, Psquare, and some other celebrities came out the day after Falz’s announcement, the youths saw it, and they went out to join them.
“They have a responsibility of speaking on national issues, the question should be “why they are not”.” – Abdul
The question “do you think” is giving them options. They have a responsibility to speak on national issues. Being a celebrity is a responsibility not only to themselves but also to society. That’s why most of them are tagged not only celebrities but influencers. They have the power to influence society both in a good and bad manner. So asking what’s fair or not fair from a celebrity doesn’t sound right to me.Most artists always sing or rap about their struggles from their young, building career days, and it always revolves around love, oppression from fellow friends, money, women, and sex. Why not about the situation of the country?
“First thing I’m going to say is that it’s a matter of choice.” – Rahma**
This whole thing started when Nicki Minaj spoke on the issue and people were saying outsiders were commenting. Then there are celebrities in Nigeria who don’t even give a shit. It’s not like nobody cares, every single person cares. People are dying, people are being killed, but it’s still a matter of choice, not just for celebrities but for regular citizens too.
Like me, for example. Do I want to speak? It’s left for me to decide, yes or no. It doesn’t mean I’m unconcerned or that I don’t care about what’s happening. The thing is, why it matters is that if a regular person like me speaks, people might say, “Oh, this person actually cares.” But when celebrities take part, they have a bigger voice, a bigger audience. If they speak, it gets more traction and attention. Like, if Wizkid comes out to talk about this, imagine how much attention it would get from the world. That’s why people want them to speak, they know how far it can push the issue.
But everything comes down to choice. You can’t force a person to speak on something. Them not speaking doesn’t make them apathetic, they may not be ready, or they may still be finding the right words to articulate what they’re trying to share.
For everybody, celebrities and regular individuals, it’s our responsibility to speak on what is affecting our nation. I think everyone should speak on it, but again, it’s a matter of choice. If no one is willing to come out on their socials and give opinions, they can also address the situation through their music.
When celebrities speak, there’s a way it gets taken seriously. People started talking about the situation more after Nicki Minaj spoke. It’s not like we’re expecting too much from them; we have solid reasons for wanting them to do it. But everything falls down to one thing: it’s a matter of choice. We can’t force them to do it.
“Yes, they do have a responsibility to speak up.” — Alvari
I’ve always believed that celebrities and artists have a responsibility to speak out, especially with everything happening in Nigeria right now. Nigerians’ support is what elevated them to where they are today; as the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. Beyond fame, they are Nigerians first before anything else. Internationally, we see examples like award-winning actress Gal Gadot, who is very vocal about issues concerning her country. Even Nicki Minaj has not only supported her own nation but recently spoke up about Nigeria at the UN. If foreign celebrities can do that, what then is stopping our own Nigerian artists?
I also believe that every one of them should use their platforms and influence to speak out through their music. Music is a powerful tool, and even subtle messages can inspire awareness, reflection, and change. They don’t have to be activists, but they can reflect the reality of the nation in their art.
And honestly, I don’t think the public expects too much from them. The public is asking for the bare minimum, just their voices. We are not asking them to serve in the military or to make financial donations. All we need is for them to stand with us as patriotic Nigerians and use their platforms responsibly.
The Nigerian celebrity is first and foremost a Nigerian.” — Seyi Vortex
The Nigerian celebrity or the Nigerian artist is first and foremost a Nigerian who also lives with the complexities of the Nigerian social, political, and economic situation. And yes, their economic position might sort of distance them from the reality of the everyday Nigerian, but the fact that they live in Nigeria is indicative of the single fact that they can also be affected by Nigeria, right? I think a Nigerian celebrity should be concerned about the economic, social, political, and cultural happenings in their society, and they should speak out on it. And this is not because they are celebrities or public figures, but also because they are patriotic individuals in the country. And it also speaks to everybody, whether you are a public figure or whoever, you should speak out.
But again, it’s also interesting that we operate in a very capitalist, consumer-driven world, right? So you have certain celebrities who, maybe because of the brands they’re associated with or the kind of politics they play, it sort of makes it impossible for them to want to participate in public or civil disobedience, or in civil demands, or in civilly asking for change and all. So yeah, there’s that nuance. Which brings me back to the first point I made, they are Nigerians, and as Nigerians we should continually demand, question, and speak on national issues.
Yeah, I think it was Nina Simone who said something about the artist reflecting the times. And I think maybe James Baldwin must have said something similar, I can’t remember the exact words. But I think every other thinker agrees that as an artist, a musician, a filmmaker, or a thinker, it is impossible for you to disentangle your art from the current reality you are faced with. Even an attempt to not reflect the time in your work is also a political act of trying to reflect the time.
I just feel like art can’t be distanced from reality. And the Nigerian reality superimposes itself on you as an artist. And in that sense, it’s not really something you are always conscious of, but it just creeps into you, creeps into your work. The work might not be resistance or activist politics, but it is still politics in itself. So that’s what I think. I think filmmakers, musicians, artists should reflect the time because it is a way of documenting the time, a way of creating public documents and archives.
And yeah, that’s what I think. I think it still goes back to the first point: yes, they are public individuals, they are whoever, but it’s not as if they are shielded from the Nigerian economic reality. Yes, their economic position, because they are wealthy, because they have X amount of money, because they can easily leave the country and that sort of places them away from the everyday Nigerian. But it is also that they are still Nigerians, right?
But I also feel like this speaks to the general political apathy that we have in the country, where everyday Nigerians who are suffering don’t see the reason to question, reflect, think deeply, or even protest against injustice. I think Fela interestingly captured this in his song Suffering and Smiling. So it’s still the same thing.
Yeah, I think it’s fair for everyday Nigerians to expect celebrities to speak on issues like insecurity and to demand public accountability. But I also don’t think, from a Marxist point of view or political point of view, that it is the responsibility of celebrities. Yes, they have public attention and influence, and someone like Fela is a better example. Fela’s music, his life, and his politics were all geared towards public emancipation. Fela even had a political party because he realized that music wasn’t enough, we needed political organization, we needed to protest against injustice, we needed alternative political movements, maybe socialist movements, which Fela championed.
But now the point is: yes, musicians should demand change, right? But we are in a country where public and intellectual discourse is at its lowest and at its most shallow. So everybody just expects musicians to be saviors. But a public figure isn’t Nigeria’s savior. The saviors of the Nigerian masses are Nigerians themselves. And it’s from that thinking that I feel like—yes, if Nigerians are demanding artists to reflect the time or fight against injustice, they are not out of place. But the same way, if a public figure comes out to say, “I’m not your savior, don’t put me on a pedestal,” it might sound dismissive, but it is also the reality of things.
