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Why Africans abroad won’t tell you their reality – Seun Kuti
Nigerian singer and activist Seun Kuti has sparked heated conversations with his recent remarks about Africans living abroad, accusing them of adhering to an “unwritten rule” of not sharing the harsh realities of life overseas.
Speaking during an Instagram live session, Seun criticized the tendency of some migrants to conceal the struggles they face abroad, which he believes fuels the romanticized notion of life in foreign countries.
“There is no single African who has *Japa* that can come and tell you that what I’m about to say is a lie. There is a silent, non-spoken, non-written agreement between every African who has travelled not to relay his true experience to his people,” he claimed.
Seun suggested that if Africans abroad openly documented their experiences, many aspiring migrants might rethink leaving their home countries.
“Every single African here who has left Africa for greener pastures, they have an unwritten code among themselves not to tell you the reality of their day-to-day experience. If the Africans abroad create a blog to tell you their real experiences, nobody from Africa would go again. We would end up saying, ‘I would rather die.'”
He also shared his personal perspective, revealing that even with his success, he finds himself missing Lagos whenever he travels. He contrasted this with individuals who have been abroad for decades but still avoid sharing their true feelings or struggles.
“Even I that is successful and have everything I want, wherever I travel, I always miss Lagos. Meanwhile, there are people who have been abroad for 25 years and won’t tell you the truth. They won’t tell you because they have agreed to abandon their cores.”
Seun also pointed out that some Africans, even those still on the continent, have mentally “abandoned” Africa, waiting for the opportunity to leave.
Seun’s remarks have sparked debates online. While some agreed, acknowledging the challenges of migration and the cultural disconnection it can bring, others argued that individual experiences differ greatly, and not all stories of living abroad are negative. Critics also pointed out that his comments might overlook the broader socio-economic challenges that push many Africans to seek opportunities abroad.
The discussion highlights the complexity of migration and the need for more honest conversations about its benefits and challenges.
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