“I Wish for Better Government” – Wizkid Speaks on African Leadership and Creative Freedom

Afrobeats icon Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has voiced his hope for improved governance across Nigeria and the African continent. The globally acclaimed musician made the remark during the premiere of his documentary, “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos,” at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York on Friday.

Wizkid emphasized that effective leadership is a key factor in shaping the future of Africa. He expressed a desire to see African creatives empowered to share their stories on global platforms.

“I hope every African artist gets the opportunity to tell their story like this. We all come from the same struggle, and every voice matters,” he said. “From music to film to sports, I always hope for more success for our culture—and I truly wish for better government.”

Wizkid maintained a tone of optimism, noting that despite ongoing challenges, he remains positive about Africa’s potential and proud of the artistic talent emerging from the continent.

Meanwhile, fellow Afrobeats artist Bella Shmurda has raised concerns about reckless spending among Nigerian musicians. Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, he pointed out that excessive investment in luxury items often leaves many artists financially dependent on major record labels.

Shmurda revealed he once fell into the same trap but learned the value of financial discipline and branding through simplicity.