Everyday, Nigeria’s army of young social media influencers and celebrities, take the fight of poor governance, inequity and inadequate infrastructure, to their governments at all levels.
It’s a never-ending battle in a country where poverty levels are at an all time high, where the economy continues to nosedive and where inflation has spiralled out of control.
In no particular order, here are some of Nigeria’s social media warriors who have sometimes taken the fight for social justice to the streets as well:
Falz
Born Folarin Falana, musician and rapper Falz, continues to rail against poor governance and injustice as it affects millions of Nigerians.
Using his star power and huge social media following, Falz has galvanised millions of other young people to hit the streets to protest police brutality, profiling, extra-judicial killings and to register to vote.
The 31-year-old continuously uses his music and social media pages for awareness, enlightenment and to preach for social change
Using his star power and huge social media following, Falz has galvanised millions of other young people to hit the streets to protest police brutality, profiling, extra-judicial killings and to register to vote.
The 31-year-old continuously uses his music and social media pages for awareness, enlightenment and to preach for social change
Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, aka, Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer whose lyrics and music videos are surfeit with themes like social justice, better governance and environmental degradation.
Grammy award-winning Burna Boy is always defiant and in a combative mood. And he never misses an opportunity to point out poor governance indices from his social media pages.
Grammy award-winning Burna Boy is always defiant and in a combative mood. And he never misses an opportunity to point out poor governance indices from his social media pages.
Aproko Doctor
Dr Chinonso Egemba has thousands of followers hanging on his every word on Twitter and Instagram.
A medical doctor by profession, the self-styled ‘Aproko Doctor’ deftly segues between handing out daily health tips like drinking plenty of water daily, to lashing out at government, perceived injustice and societal malaise.
His tweets typically enjoy plenty of retweets and interactions.
A medical doctor by profession, the self-styled ‘Aproko Doctor’ deftly segues between handing out daily health tips like drinking plenty of water daily, to lashing out at government, perceived injustice and societal malaise.
His tweets typically enjoy plenty of retweets and interactions.
Aisha Yesufu
There’s a viral image of Yesufu in her flowing hijab, fist balled and raised to the heavens, while staring down the barrel of police guns and tanks, as an unarmed army of young protesters form a defiant wall behind her.
The photo was taken during the #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests of October 2020; and the image remains one of the most iconic photographs of the protest movement.
It also succinctly describes Yesufu: never afraid to call out government on Twitter, always defiant, outspoken and fearless.
The photo was taken during the #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests of October 2020; and the image remains one of the most iconic photographs of the protest movement.
It also succinctly describes Yesufu: never afraid to call out government on Twitter, always defiant, outspoken and fearless.
Segalink
The history of the #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests won’t be complete without handing Segun Awosanya a deserved mention.
Long before the historic October 2020 ‘police brutality’ nationwide protests, Awosanya was the one man young people called once they had been unfairly targeted or profiled by police officers.
And he always intervened.
The top police officers in every division and the police hierarchy in the nation know his name.
When Segalink isn’t fighting for police reforms, he’s calling out government and giving as good as he gets on Twitter.
Long before the historic October 2020 ‘police brutality’ nationwide protests, Awosanya was the one man young people called once they had been unfairly targeted or profiled by police officers.
And he always intervened.
The top police officers in every division and the police hierarchy in the nation know his name.
When Segalink isn’t fighting for police reforms, he’s calling out government and giving as good as he gets on Twitter.
Dr Funmilayo
Another medical doctor who is not just content with saving lives and handing out health tips.
There was a time when Dr. Olufunmilayo was everyone’s favorite online doctor because he called out government and relevant ministries of government when injustice is being perpetrated, or when communities are suffering from poor policy decisions.
The man is proof that doctors can be activists–and very effective ones at that.
There was a time when Dr. Olufunmilayo was everyone’s favorite online doctor because he called out government and relevant ministries of government when injustice is being perpetrated, or when communities are suffering from poor policy decisions.
The man is proof that doctors can be activists–and very effective ones at that.
Seun Kuti
The son of famous Afrobeat legend and impresario, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Seun has effortlessly slipped into the shoes his dad left behind.
His methods can be unconventional and combative, but here’s one singer who detests the poor governance that has bedevilled his nation, with every fiber of his mortal being.
His methods can be unconventional and combative, but here’s one singer who detests the poor governance that has bedevilled his nation, with every fiber of his mortal being.
Rinu Oduala
Oduala is young, brave and outspoken.
It is a testament to Oduala’s tenacity and doggedness that she was one of the leading voices/organisers of the #EndSARS movement, she has hosted top politicians like ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki on her Twitter spaces, she has addressed national and international fora, she has sat on government panels, she’s appeared on prime time television to talk policy and she continues to rail against poor governance–all while still in her 20s and in university.
She’s one young activist government spokespersons and aides now dread…and for good reason as well.
It is a testament to Oduala’s tenacity and doggedness that she was one of the leading voices/organisers of the #EndSARS movement, she has hosted top politicians like ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki on her Twitter spaces, she has addressed national and international fora, she has sat on government panels, she’s appeared on prime time television to talk policy and she continues to rail against poor governance–all while still in her 20s and in university.
She’s one young activist government spokespersons and aides now dread…and for good reason as well.
Deji Adeyanju
If it’s a street protest in Abuja with police brandishing sophisticated weaponry and teargas canisters, be sure to find bearded Adeyanju on the frontlines–chanting solidarity songs and addressing the press at the top of his voice.
Adeyanju has been railing against government and police authorities and he’s been manhandled, roughened up by hired thugs, bruised and bundled into jail for his troubles.
Once out of the gulag however, Adeyanju picks up his smartphone and continues to hold government to account.
They don’t make them like Adeyanju no more.
Adeyanju has been railing against government and police authorities and he’s been manhandled, roughened up by hired thugs, bruised and bundled into jail for his troubles.
Once out of the gulag however, Adeyanju picks up his smartphone and continues to hold government to account.
They don’t make them like Adeyanju no more.
Kate Henshaw
This actress remains as ageless, delectable and spotless as they come.
And so has her fight for equality, social justice, infrastructure provision and everything in between.
A radio show host these days as well, Cross River-born Henshaw deploys every media at her disposal as a bully pulpit.
And she’s got millions of young Nigerians admiring and cheering her on daily.
And so has her fight for equality, social justice, infrastructure provision and everything in between.
A radio show host these days as well, Cross River-born Henshaw deploys every media at her disposal as a bully pulpit.
And she’s got millions of young Nigerians admiring and cheering her on daily.