Italian-Nigerian singer and songwriter Charles Onyekachi Onyeabor has shared a sobering reflection on the state of Nigeria following the recent road accident involving world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua.
New Daily Prime recalls that Joshua was involved in a fatal accident in Ogun State, which claimed the lives of two of his friends. The boxer reportedly survived the incident narrowly.
Reacting via his Instagram page, Onyeabor first expressed gratitude for Joshua’s survival while sympathising with the bereaved families.
Read Also: Nigerians criticize reckless truck parking amid Anthony Joshua car accident
“This Anthony Joshua situation got me thinking out loud once again. Thank God he is alive, and sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” he wrote.
The singer then used the incident to reflect on Nigeria’s long-standing challenges, questioning the popular belief that the country will inevitably improve.
According to Onyeabor, his perspective is shaped by over two decades of living abroad and watching conditions at home deteriorate rather than progress.
“Whenever I say that Nigeria may never get better, people think I’m trying to downgrade the country or talk it down. But this is not about hate, it’s about reality,” he stated.
“During that time, instead of things improving back home, the situation has actually gotten worse. So when someone confidently tells me, ‘Nigeria will get better,’ I honestly ask myself, based on what evidence?”
Onyekachi also lamented what he described as Nigerians’ inability to confront uncomfortable truths, noting that critics of the country are often attacked rather than listened to. “Anytime you try to state the obvious about Nigeria’s problems, or when a foreigner speaks the truth, Nigerians don’t reflect, they attack, insult, and troll,” he said.
He criticised the tendency to focus on individual success stories while ignoring systemic failures, pointing to constant comparisons among celebrities and wealthy individuals.
“We compare Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid every day, forgetting that all three are successful Nigerians who have already won. But we refuse to compare Nigeria itself with other nations,” he wrote.
Highlighting infrastructural shortcomings, Onyeabor questioned why necessities remain luxuries in Nigeria. “Why don’t we compare a country with no constant electricity, poor roads, bad hospitals, weak emergency services, and lack of clean water with countries where these things are normal?” he asked.
He further blamed tribalism, religious divisions, and online hostility for distracting citizens from demanding accountability and better governance.
According to him, meaningful change can only happen when Nigerians accept hard truths and focus on fixing systems rather than idolising individuals.
“This is not hate. This is not bitterness. This is an observation,” Onyeabor concluded. “As things stand today, it is hard to see Nigeria truly getting better again.”
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news.
