Nigerian music sensation, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has described Nigeria as “collateral damage” in a striking commentary on the nation’s historical and current challenges.
In a candid interview with Tidal on Friday, the Grammy-winning artist delved into Nigeria’s cultural and socio-political landscape, shedding light on how the country’s diverse heritage has become more of a hindrance than a strength in its quest for growth.
Burna Boy, known for his unflinching views on national issues, expressed deep concern over the socio-political struggles Nigeria continue to face. He argued that the nation and its people were often casualties of poor governance and external influences, which have left the country vulnerable and underdeveloped.
“The area called Nigeria was first known as the Niger Area before the Royal Niger Company acquired it,” Burna Boy explained during the interview. He further elaborated on how the British amalgamated the northern and southern protectorates without considering the existing cultural and ethnic diversities, which, according to him, laid the foundation for Nigeria’s current predicament.
“The amalgamation of the North and South was against running them as separate entities, and it was at this point that the country Nigeria was birthed,” he stated, emphasising that the creation of Nigeria was “nothing but the result of a bad business enterprise entered into by the British,” leaving the people of Nigeria as “nothing but collateral damage of a business deal gone south.”
Burna Boy’s remarks have ignited widespread discussion across social media platforms, with many Nigerians resonating with his sentiments.