-
Seun Kuti Speaks Out: Feminism Often Fuels Gender Conflict, Not Social Change
-
Feminism is an excuse for people to engage in gender wars – Seun Kuti
Nigerian musician and activist Seun Kuti has voiced his perspective on feminism, arguing that in many cases, it is used as a tool to escalate gender conflicts rather than drive meaningful social change.
During a recent Instagram livestream, Kuti shared his thoughts while discussing the ongoing legal battle between Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The lawsuit stems from sexual harassment allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President during an interview on Arise Television.
Kuti criticized the way feminism is approached in Nigeria, stating that women should have united in solidarity with both Akpoti and Natasha instead of allowing divisions to persist.
“Feminism in Nigeria feels more like a tool for division than a force for empowerment,” he said. “We seem to embrace anything that fuels conflicts—be it gender wars, tribal disputes, or other divides.”
“Feminism is an excuse for people to engage in gender wars…”
– Seun Kuti pic.twitter.com/8C3Xr9Jo1e
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 3, 2025
According to Kuti, feminism should be a collective movement that challenges injustice rather than an excuse for gender-based battles. “If Nigerian women were truly feminists, they would rally behind this senator and call out the Senate President for his actions,” he asserted.
He also referenced the ongoing legal issues, highlighting how some women prioritize protecting their husbands over demanding accountability.
“I wanted to go live to talk about this Akpabio matter, but I didn’t get the chance. Later, I saw that the senator’s wife sued another woman for allegedly defaming her husband. That’s when I realized—if any young woman crosses paths with her husband, she’s the type who would attack the woman instead of addressing her husband’s actions,” Kuti remarked.
View this post on Instagram