30/07/2026
Nigerians and emotions are like five and six. Sometimes, we forget too quickly.
Tell me why, just a few months after reports of Nigerians and other Africans being attacked in South Africa, some people are now excited about bringing a South African artist to perform in Nigeria. This is happening while many Nigerians still believe there hasn't been enough accountability or strong condemnation of the attacks.
This isn't about hatred or discrimination against an individual artist. It's about principle. If Nigerians are being told to "go back to your country" and are facing violence in another country, then we should think carefully before celebrating and enriching entertainers from that same country without any acknowledgment of what has happened.
Nigeria is not lacking in talent. We have world-class musicians who have won Grammy Awards, dominated international charts, and sold out arenas across the globe. We also have incredible female and male artists who continue to represent the country with excellence. Beyond music, Nollywood remains one of the largest film industries in the world. Nigeria has enough talent to entertain its own people.
So why are we acting as if we desperately need a South African artist to headline a show here? We don't.
This isn't about saying South Africans are our enemies. It's about standing in solidarity with Nigerians who have suffered. Until there is genuine respect and a stronger commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, many people will understandably feel uncomfortable supporting events that allow artists from that country to profit here.
For me, it's a simple answer: no. Nigeria has more than enough talent, and we should value and support our own while demanding respect for Nigerians everywhere.
