26 Years of Democracy: 10 songs that show nothing has changed
On June 12, 2025, Nigeria will be celebrating 26 years of uninterrupted democracy.
While this suggests that the nation has had nearly three decades to correct some of the wrongs and evil meted out by years of military government, the current reality shows that nothing much has changed.
26 years after the return to democracy, Nigerians are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy. A bulk of its 200 million citizens earn far below the poverty line.
Insecurity is rift, unemployment is at an all-time high, inflation has hit record figures, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s government is widely unpopular as his biting reforms are yet to have any tangible impact on the economy.
Elections are riddled with an unprecedented level of malpractice as the umpire INEC continues to woefully fail the nation.
26 years after independence, elections are no longer determined at the polls but by the judiciary, whose judgment continues to truncate the will of the populace.
The religious institutions, which are the opium of the masses, continue to cash in on this hope while courting the political elites whose wanton corruption has impoverished their flocks.
Nothing documents Nigeria’s socioeconomic reality more than musicians who have, for decades, used their work to capture the nation’s socio-cultural and political climate.
These artists have held the government accountable through their songs and called for good governance.
Here are 10 timeless songs that capture Nigeria’s sociopolitical reality.
1. Fela Anikulapo Kuti – International Thief Thief (ITT)
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti is known for his vocal criticism of the military governments that ruled Nigerians with an iron fist.
Fela Kuti has several songs that criticize the government and also speak to the conscience of Nigerians.
Fela Kuti’s ‘ITT‘ which is a thorough indictment of the Nigerian government’s corrupt practices can help inspire a wave of anger that will sustain the current drive to change the system.
2. Majeck Fashek – Police Brutality
The famous rainmaker recorded ‘Police Brutality’ in 1988 as a way to draw attention to the brutality the security forces visited on Nigerians.
Decades later, #ENDSARS which is perhaps Nigeria’s biggest civilian mass movement was necessitated by police brutality which remains a serious issue confronting Nigerian youths and the larger population.
3. Lagbaja – Suruu Lere
This classic song by Afrobeats legend Lagbaja captures the myriads of challenges that have hindered Nigerians from enjoying the dividends of democracy.
The song is a reminder to Nigerians that after 63 years of independence, Nigeria is still grappling with the same challenges of corruption, tribalism, and poverty. ‘Suruu Lere’ should inspire you to demand better from the corrupt leaders who have put the country in a sorry state.
4. Eedris Abdulkareem – Jaga Jaga
When Eedris Abdulkareem released ‘Jaga Jaga,’ the single resonated with Nigerians and quickly became a hit. The single was so big that it was banned on radio and even drew criticism from President Olusegun Obasanjo.
18 years after ‘Jaga Jaga,’ Nigeria has suffered further decline, and the poverty rate has significantly increased. ‘Jaga jaga’ captures the state of the nation in 2004 and it does today, and this painful lack of progress should inspire you to demand a change.
5. 2baba – 4 Instance
2baba made ‘4 Instance’ to decry the high level of corruption and bad governance in Nigeria. Released in 2006, this single is a reminder that nothing has changed as the politicians still treat the public purse as their private credit card.
6. Asa – ‘Jailer’
Asa’s ‘Jailer’ is a sober reminder of the metaphorical jail that’s Nigeria and how Nigerians are locked in a psychological, economic, social, and religious jail.
This song should inspire you to free themselves from the ideological, economic, and religious incarceration the political elite has placed them.
7. African China – Mr. President
This song is still as fresh in memory and relevant today as it was when it was released in 2006. ‘Mr. President’ was African China’s reminder to the political class to govern rightly and ensure there’s justice, fairness, and equity in the land irrespective of status, religion, or creed.
16 years later, ‘Mr. President’ is a reminder that African China’s plea that conveyed the sentiments of Nigerians has been ignored.
