Made Kuti, the singer and grandson of the legendary Fela Kuti, recently expressed his lack of interest in activism, stating that his family has already made significant contributions over the years.
In a recent interview, he conveyed his growing skepticism about the effectiveness and consequences of fighting for change in a country where his family has historically faced severe repercussions.
He remarked, “When you look at Nigeria, you see how many years Fela fought. My dad fought; Uncle Seun is speaking out now. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a righteous person dedicated to the growth of Africa, and they threw her from a storey building. She risked her life for her beliefs, and ultimately, they killed her for it.”
Made acknowledged that witnessing the slow pace of change in Nigeria, despite generations of activism, often leaves him feeling disillusioned. He reflected, “You might think, ‘What’s the point if all these people couldn’t bring about change? What are the chances that my song or my performance can really make a difference?’”
However, he believes that change is not solely in the hands of individuals but in the power of the collective. He stated, “When the right number of people come together at the right time and take the right actions, that can create the spark for change. But whether that will happen in my lifetime, I don’t know. I’m not an idealist. Still, I believe that everyone has a role to play in making the country better.”
He added, “We cannot keep expecting change without putting in the effort ourselves. For me, I want to live my life knowing that I’ve done what I can. I want to have children and be able to look them in the eyes and say, ‘I did my best.’”
Made reflected on the concept of selflessness, stating, “I’m very careful about it. It’s about giving without expecting anything in return. In my view, we have already done enough, and I have no interest in activism. I’m happy to be on the right side of history, but not at the cost of the well-being of my family and the people around me.”