‘My Family Has Done Enough for Nigeria’ – Made Kuti
Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer Made Kuti has shared his reservations about engaging in activism and political struggles in Nigeria, citing the long history of sacrifices made by members of his family without yielding lasting change.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Breakdown podcast, the grandson of Fela Kuti said he is committed to standing on the right side of history, but not at the cost of his family’s wellbeing. He explained that despite the tireless efforts of his great-grandmother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, his grandfather Fela Kuti, his father Femi Kuti, and his uncle Seun Kuti, Nigeria remains stuck in systemic dysfunction.
“You might reflect and just say, ‘Well, what’s the point of it if all these people couldn’t bring change? What’s the chance that my song or my performance can really bring change?’” Made said.
He added that meaningful transformation in Nigeria cannot rest on the shoulders of a few individuals, but must be a collective effort: “It’s not so much in the power of the individual, it’s the power of the collective. I believe that it’s when the right amount of people at the right time do the right thing that real change can happen.”
Made also recalled the fate of his great-grandmother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a prominent women’s rights activist, who was reportedly thrown from a building during a protest and later died from her injuries. “They killed her for it,” he said. “She was righteous, dedicated to Africa’s growth, and risked everything.”
Reflecting on his own path, Made clarified that while he supports social progress and justice, he no longer feels compelled to take up the activist mantle at the expense of his personal life. “I’m happy to be on the right side of history,” he said, “but not at the cost of the wellbeing of my family and the people around me.”
He concluded by stating: “Selflessness – I’m very careful with that. I’m of the opinion that we [the Kuti family] have done enough already. I’ve really no interest in activism.”
The comments come amid ongoing debates about the role of artists in advocating for political reform in Nigeria, particularly within the tradition of Afrobeat, a genre historically tied to protest and social commentary.
