Afrobeat singer and activist Seun Kuti has weighed in on the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, arguing that social media campaigns alone are not enough to secure meaningful action or results.
In a video shared online, Seun referenced the “Bring Back Our Girls” movement that followed the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, saying the campaign generated massive attention but failed to bring all the victims home.
“Over this week, two weeks now of Oyo girls, you know, we don bring back our girls. Let’s just remember that one. And they didn’t still bring back the girls. They don’t bring them back.
“If you remember well, as we shout every day, the government change, new government enter. That new government of Buhari, wey ride on ‘Bring Back Our Girls.’ Jonathan, bring back our girls. Because Buhari enter himself, no bring back the girls. Shey una remember?”
According to him, Nigerians have fallen into a cycle of repeating the same methods while expecting different outcomes.
“As usual, as the mad people that we are in Nigeria, we have started the same tactics again. Again. And again, expecting a different result.”
Seun also challenged the widespread belief that social media is a powerful tool capable of forcing change on its own, insisting that digital activism has limitations.
“Your nation deserve more than video from you. Let me tell you people something. This social media, I have told you people, is not as powerful as you think it is.
“If this social media get that power wey una think say e get, there is no way the government will allow you use it.”
The singer further claimed that social media platforms are heavily controlled through algorithms and moderation systems, making them less influential than many users assume.
“This social media is regulated. The algorithm, they know. They can off… my last video they off the audio. I come back, they no come let me post am. They can decide. They can do what they like.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians not to mistake online outrage for genuine action, arguing that recording videos and making posts should not be seen as the ultimate response to national crises.
“So we believe say we just need to do video. Once we don go online do video, that’s what we need. Once we have done…” he said, stressing the need for efforts beyond social media activism.
