Afrobeats sensation Simisola Kosoko, better known as Simi, has voiced mixed feelings about Nigeria, expressing deep pride in her roots while wishing the nation provided better living conditions for its people.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the 90s Baby Show, the award-winning singer highlighted what she sees as Nigerians’ most admirable trait, their unwavering resilience and strong spirit, even as she bemoaned the country’s ongoing social and economic struggles.
“My favourite thing about Nigeria is just the spirit of Nigerians. You can’t replicate it. Nobody else can be a Nigerian other than a Nigerian. Even when they are faking African accents in Hollywood movies, they never actually fake a Nigerian accent. Being a Nigerian doesn’t just come naturally, it just feels like home,” she said.
The Joromi crooner added that while she remains proud of the nation’s cultural richness and the determination of its people, she often feels disheartened that many Nigerians are forced to leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
“That is why I wish the country was better, because I feel like no one would want to leave if things were working,” she added.
This is not the first time Simi has spoken openly about Nigeria’s challenges and identity.
In July 2024, she recounted her experience in Kenya, admitting she once assumed all Africans could speak Nigerian pidgin English. The incident, she said, helped her appreciate Nigeria’s distinctive culture and the individuality of its people.
Earlier in January 2024, she took to social media to address the heavy expectations placed on firstborn children in Nigerian families, writing, “Y’all need to let your firstborns breathe… They came first does not mean they should carry everybody’s load.”
In June 2024, the award-winning singer opened up about struggling with imposter syndrome, revealing that she once felt like “a stranger” to herself.
Beyond her chart-topping hits like ‘Duduke’, ‘Joromi’, and ‘Smile for Me’, Simi has built a reputation for using her platform to address critical national issues. She has previously lent her voice to causes centred on gender equality, youth empowerment, and political accountability.
