Abstract
Culture and politics have gained renewed scholarly attention, especially within the context of non-traditional diplomacy and soft power. Soft power is the ability of a country to attract and co-opt rather than coerce and often finds its strongest expression in culture, values, and institutions. In the case of Nigeria, one of the most potent cultural exports in recent decades has been its music industry. This industry, once rooted in traditional folk sounds and later politicized by artists like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has evolved into a global force of influence through genres like Afrobeat, Afropop, and Afrofusion. Historically, Nigerian musicians have not only entertained but also challenged state authority, interrogated societal injustices, and shaped public opinion. Artists such as Fela, Eedris Abdulkareem, and more recently, Falz and Burna Boy, have transformed their musical platforms into vehicles of resistance and civic engagement. Music has become a channel through which disillusionment, national trauma, and the desire for reform are expressed particularly among Nigeria’s politically conscious youth population. This was most visible during the #EndSARS protests, where music provided both a soundtrack and a unifying call for justice.
