Nigerians have sparked a debate over a resurfaced video of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu discussing Africa’s challenges on an international platform, drawing comparisons to the recent criticism Davido faced for his remarks on Nigeria’s economic struggles.
In the video, President Tinubu candidly outlined Africa’s pressing issues, including terrorism, insecurity, climate change, flooding, and out-of-school children. Speaking about the difficulties of funding free education and providing meals for children in schools, Tinubu stated, “It is better to give you the true picture of what is going on in Africa.” He also highlighted problems in Sudan and the global impact of protectionism on the continent’s development.
These statements have drawn parallels to Davido’s recent interview, where the artist criticized Nigeria’s economy and leadership, pointing to high oil prices, a weak exchange rate, and the paradox of Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, paying exorbitant prices for fuel. Davido’s comments, which he claimed were rooted in honesty, led to backlash from TVC presenter Akashat Ny’mat, who accused him of painting the country in a bad light and discouraging foreign investment.
However, many Nigerians on social media have questioned the double standard. They argue that if President Tinubu can highlight Africa’s challenges on a global stage without backlash, Davido should not be vilified for speaking out about Nigeria’s issues. One Twitter user wrote, “If Tinubu can talk about our insecurity and education crisis abroad, why attack Davido for pointing out our economic problems? Truth is truth.”
The controversy has reignited conversations about accountability and the role of public figures in discussing Nigeria’s issues. While some argue that honesty is necessary to attract genuine solutions, others maintain that airing the country’s challenges on international platforms could harm its image and deter foreign investment.
As the debate continues, it underscores the tension between promoting national pride and addressing systemic issues, whether by a sitting president or a globally recognized artist like Davido.