By Sulaymon Ruqoya
August 24th, 2024.
Nigerian singer Burna Boy has recently made a striking statement, describing Nigeria as “collateral damage” due to its current state of affairs. In an interview with Tidal, the Grammy-winning artist expressed his discontent with the nation’s governance and highlighted the lasting impact of colonial exploitation.
Burna Boy did not mince words as he likened Nigeria to the “Royal Niger Company,” a British enterprise established in the late 19th century to control trade in the region. He pointed out that the country’s foundation was never designed for the benefit of its citizens.
In a now-viral video circulating on social media, Burna Boy passionately criticized the way Nigeria was formed and the subsequent suffering of its people under poor governance and external manipulation. “We were not even supposed to be Nigerians in the first place. We are the Royal Niger company. So, we are basically a company for the British to take resources and go for Britain,” he stated.
He further elaborated on his point, explaining that Nigeria’s creation was more of a transaction between the colonizers rather than a union for its diverse people. “Then somewhere along the line, the company decided to buy the whole place and amalgamate it. So at the end of the day, the people that sell the place and the people that buy the place are the winners. While the rest of the people are collateral damage,” Burna Boy remarked.