“Why is Nigeria still like this?” Singer to Anthony Joshua’s accident

Italian-Nigerian singer and songwriter Charles Onyeabor has shared a sobering reflection on the state of Nigeria following the recent road accident involving world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua.

Joshua was involved in a fatal accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which reportedly claimed the lives of two of his friends. The heavyweight boxer narrowly escaped death.

Reacting to the incident via his Instagram page, Onyeabor expressed gratitude for Joshua’s survival while offering condolences to the bereaved families.

“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 used the incident to reflect on Nigeria’s long-standing challenges, stating that his views are often misunderstood.

“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,” Onyeabor said, noting that he has lived outside Nigeria for over two decades.

According to him, rather than seeing improvement during that period, conditions in the country have worsened.

“So when someone confidently tells me, ‘Nigeria will get better,’ I honestly ask myself — based on what evidence?” he questioned.

Onyeabor also lamented what he described as Nigerians’ resistance to honest self-assessment.

“The most painful part is this: anytime you try to state the obvious about Nigeria’s problems, or when a foreigner speaks the truth about the situation in the country, Nigerians don’t reflect; they attack, insult, and troll the person,” he said.

He criticised the tendency to focus on comparing individuals instead of evaluating national progress.

“We compare Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid every day, forgetting that all three are rich, successful, unique Nigerian artists who have already won. We compare Obi Cubana and Jowizaza. We argue about who has a Grammy and who doesn’t. But we refuse to compare Nigeria itself with other nations,” he added.

Highlighting infrastructural deficits, Onyeabor questioned why basic amenities remain a challenge.

“Why don’t we compare a country with no constant electricity, poor road networks, bad hospitals and emergency services, lack of clean water and basic amenities, with countries where these things are normal, not luxury?” he asked.

The singer further criticised tribalism, religious divisions and online hostility, arguing that these distractions prevent citizens from holding systems accountable.

“Until we learn to accept truth, stop being defensive, and start holding systems accountable instead of worshipping individuals, nothing will change,” Onyeabor wrote.

He concluded by stressing that his comments were not borne out of bitterness.

“This is not hate. This is not bitterness. This is an observation. As things stand today, it is hard to see Nigeria truly getting better again.”