Nigerian music star Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has shared his perspective on the country’s slow pace of development, pointing to what he sees as an overdependence on religious practices.
The singer made the remarks on Wednesday during a listening session for his album Beginning of Wisdom, held in Yaba.
Speaking at the event, 9ice reflected on his personal experiences with both Christianity and Islam, noting that despite widespread religious devotion, the nation has not witnessed the level of progress many expect.
He argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem partly from a failure to address foundational issues and called for a return to indigenous values and cultural identity as a pathway to better governance and development.
According to him, although the country is richly endowed with natural resources such as oil and bitumen, it continues to struggle due to misplaced priorities.
The singer also compared Nigeria’s work culture with that of the United Kingdom, suggesting that citizens there tend to focus more on productivity than religious activities.
In his words, Nigeria’s future depends on tackling problems at their roots and fostering a mindset that prioritises hard work and accountability over excessive religious engagement.
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