Femi Kuti Urges Nigerians to Focus on Nation-Building Amid Wizkid-Seun Kuti Feud

LAGOS – Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti has expressed regret over the recent feud between singer Wizkid and his brother Seun Kuti, describing comparisons between his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and today’s Nigerian music stars as unnecessary.

In an interview with Arise Television, shared on social media on Saturday, Femi said he intentionally avoided joining the debate, emphasizing that Nigeria faces far more serious challenges than celebrity rivalries.

“Fela is our father. All younger artists respect him, and I don’t think this issue should have been brought up,” he said. “He is the template for so many things musically and artistically in Nigeria.”

Femi acknowledged the global achievements of contemporary Nigerian artistes, particularly their growing recognition at the Grammy Awards, calling it a positive development for both the country and the continent.

“Nigeria has been participating in the Grammys so much these days. It’s good for Africa, good for the country. We should all be happy and use this to build our music industry and the nation,” he added.

However, the Afrobeat singer expressed concern that critical national issues such as tribalism, terrorism, and corruption are being overshadowed by less important public debates. He urged young Nigerians to focus on governance and nation-building rather than celebrity disputes.

Reflecting on his father’s activism, Femi said Fela had long warned about corruption and poor governance, lessons that remain relevant today. “Fela saw that corruption was killing Nigeria even in the seventies,” he said. “If we keep discussing trivial issues instead of serious ones, we are part of the nation’s downfall.”

Femi also revealed that political themes continue to dominate his music and that of his family. “Even after 40 years in the business, 90% of my songs are political,” he said. “How long are we going to sing about poverty, kidnapping, and terrorism without real change?”

The controversy reignited after Wizkid was quoted as claiming he is “bigger than Fela,” sparking debate across social media.