We need constant agitation not riots, says Baba Dee
Veteran musician Dare Fasasi aka Baba Dee, has weighed in on the rising tension in the country, warning that while protest remains a legitimate civic tool, it can easily be
Veteran musician Dare Fasasi aka Baba Dee, has weighed in on the rising tension in the country, warning that while protest remains a legitimate civic tool, it can easily be hijacked in Nigeria’s fragile social climate.
Speaking during a chat with The Nation Newspaper, the Sweden-based artist expressed concern over what he described as growing public discomfort and unrest.
“Nigerians are uncomfortable because years back, Nigerians used to be very advocating,” he said, reflecting on what he sees as a shift in civic engagement.
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Asked whether protest remains the best way forward, Baba Dee was measured in his response.
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“I don’t think so. Protest is a big tool that people can use to manipulate unrest. Protest is a good way, but there are ways to go about it. Not until we form a riot and everybody comes in. Because of the environment that we find ourselves in and the nature of things, protest is a very strong word that could be hijacked.”
According to him, the problem in Nigeria is not agitation itself but the manner in which it is expressed and amplified.
“What I mean about constant agitation — there is something in need of constant agitation,” he explained. “We have a lot of blogs. We have a lot of different kinds of blogs in Nigeria. These people are opinion leaders. They have thousands of people going to them every time they write things. If there are important issues, they don’t amplify them. But if me and one of my celebrity friends do something, you put it everywhere. Are they really helping?”
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The music star argued that while social media reflects dissatisfaction among citizens, it has also altered the country’s social order in subtle but dangerous ways.
“What’s the general consensus feeling in society? Unrest. People are not happy. But what is the general feeling you feel from social media? The social order has been altered — and this is just the beginning, if care is not taken.”
Baba Dee also referenced a previous warning he made about public safety and recklessness, suggesting that recent incidents could have been avoided.
“Last year, I made a tweet and a video about sirens and reckless driving. Exactly one year later, we’re having this kind of thing that happened today. I woke up very, very sad regarding that Anthony Joshua thing, because it could have been avoided.”
Though he did not elaborate extensively on the incident, his comments underline a broader concern about accountability, civic responsibility, and the power of public discourse in shaping national outcomes.
For Baba Dee, the solution to making Nigeria great again lies not in chaos but in sustained, focused advocacy — a culture of consistent engagement rather than explosive confrontation.
In his view, Nigeria stands at a delicate crossroads. The discontent is visible. The voices are loud. But without structure and sincerity, he warns, even well-intentioned actions could spiral beyond control.
