Over the years, a number of Nigerian music stars have made it a point of duty to release protest songs as their way of advocating against the ills and wrongs in the society. Through their lyrics, they have also called out the Nigerian government for its actions and inactions, asked for accountability and better governance.

Below are the lists of some of the songs Nigerian artistes have written to criticize the Government;

• ITT – Fela Kuti

Before the death of the Afrobeats pioneer Fela ‘Anikulapo’ Kuti, He was known for his vocal criticism of the military governments that ruled Nigerians with an iron fist. The track was released in 1980.

Anikulapo-Kuti satirically used the acronym to mean “International Thief–Thief,” in this record, he called out and directly attacked former president General Olusegun Obasanjo and late M.K.O. Abiola.

 The track is a powerful methaphor for the way multinational corporations, in collusion with corrupt local officials, exploit African resources and citizens for their own gain. 

• Jaga-Jaga – Eedris Abdul-kareem  

Jaga-jaga is a slang of the Yoruba culture that means shambles, scattered or disorderly. The song pointed out on corruption and suffering of Nigerians coupled with non-working infrastructure and bad governance. The song was released in 2004.

This soundtrack is a bold and provocative anthem that criticizes the Socio-Political state of Nigeria. The song was controversial and got banned from radio by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

• Jailer – Asa

Asa presents this song as a sort of protest made by the oppressed against both literal and figurative jailers with a depiction of actual prison guards, employers and governments.

This song is inspired by those who have been wrongfully accused and convicted, with their lives forever changed by a system that prioritizes ostentation over truth. This is the second single from her album titled ‘Asha’ which was released in 2007.

• 20-10-20 – Burna Boy

Grammy winning artiste Burna Boy, popularly known for sampling Fela’s song. Some of his songs are protest about Nigerian’s Problems. This track is inspired by the Lekki Massacre that took place in Lagos on the 20th of October, 2020, peaceful Nigerian Youths were killed by the country’s military forces while having their peaceful protest that very day.

• This is Nigeria – Falz

Falz’s 2018 controversial hit “This Is Nigeria” is a criticism of corrupt politicians, places of worship and the security forces.

 His album “Moral Instruction” boasts of songs criticizing politicians, corruption, police brutality, prostitution, social injustice and internet fraud.

 The song cover was of Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’.

According to Falz, the song “addresses numerous political and social ills”, and is an attempt “to spark a reaction in the positive direction”

By: Idris Olayinka