Grammy-nominated Afrobeats singer, Made Kuti, has said lasting change in Nigeria cannot be achieved through individual activism alone, emphasizing instead the power of collective action.
Speaking in an interview on the ‘Breakdown’ podcast by Pulse, Made, the grandson of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and great-grandson of renowned women’s rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, reflected on his family’s deep legacy of activism and the personal costs it has incurred.
“My family has already given a lot,” he said. “I’m not willing to compromise the well-being of my loved ones in the name of activism.”
While reaffirming his commitment to the progress of Nigerian society, the musician expressed doubt about the effectiveness of individual efforts. He noted that despite decades of sacrifice and advocacy by members of his family—his father, Femi Kuti; uncle, Seun Kuti; and great-grandmother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti—substantial change remains elusive.
“They threw Funmilayo from a seven-story building. She was so dedicated to the growth of Africa. She risked her life for everything. They killed her for it,” he said.
Reflecting on these past sacrifices, Made said, “You might reflect and just say, ‘Well, what’s the point of it [fighting for better governance] if all these people couldn’t bring change? What’s the chance that my song or my performance can really bring change?’”
He concluded that meaningful transformation can only come when “the right amount of people at the right time do the right thing.”
“I’m not an idealist. But I do believe that everybody has to play a part for the country to be better. We cannot keep expecting what we didn’t deliver,” he added.
Made also spoke candidly about his desire to live a life of purpose and responsibility. “I want to live my life knowing that I do what I have to do. Because I want to have children and I want to be able to look them in the eyes and say, ‘I did my best.’”
On the issue of selflessness, he said, “I’m very careful with that. Giving and getting nothing in return. I’m of the opinion that we (the Kuti family) have done enough already.”
Though distancing himself from activism, Made maintained that he is committed to being on “the right side of history”—but not at the cost of the well-being of his family and those around him.
