In 1976, the song ‘Zombie’ by Fela Kuti became an emblem of resistance for Nigerian youths like Yunusa Yau, frustrated by military excesses in schools. Emerging during a decade of military rule following a coup, this song satirized the unthinking obedience of soldiers. High schoolers found in Fela’s lyrics a voice against both the military and other oppressive figures like school teachers.
The military ruler at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo, deployed soldiers to enforce discipline in schools, showcasing the authoritarian grip of successive juntas that had controlled Nigeria since its independence in 1960, leading to a devastating civil conflict. Fela frequently clashed with the regime through performances and provocative commentary. With the release of ‘Zombie,’ these confrontations reached a peak.
“Zombie no go turn, unless you tell ’em to turn (Zombie) / Zombie no go think, unless you tell ’em to think.”
This track, deeply critical of the military’s rigidity, mimicked a parade with commands to march and fire. Fela’s career was marked by such defiance. Born in 1938, he became a pivotal figure in Afropop, collaborating with Tony Allen to fuse West African music with jazz and funk, standing as a chronicler of Nigeria under military rule. The transition from military to civilian rule in Nigeria was fraught, occurring only in 1999 after multiple coups.
Released as a 25-minute two-track album, ‘Zombie’ stood out for its bold political commentary. The second track, ‘Mister Follow Follow,’ also criticized blind obedience. Fela’s collaborator, Lemi Ghariokwu, noted the album’s significance as a daring political statement.
The term ‘zombie’ draws from West African mythology, symbolizing beings without will, later popularized globally, as seen in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ The imagery resonated with Nigerian frustrations over broken promises from oil wealth. Despite massive reserves, the oil boom failed to uplift the general population, fueling military rhetoric about government corruption to justify their control. This legacy of military rule remains, as seen in recent allegations against soldiers in a coup plot.
Currently, 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, indicating systemic failures in providing basic amenities and jobs, compounded by security crises. Fela’s critiques seemed prophetic as he warned against the decaying influence of military leadership on Nigeria.
Following the release of ‘Zombie,’ Fela faced dire repercussions. The military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to destroy his home, which he had declared independent from Nigeria. His mother, a notable activist, was injured in the attack and died from these injuries. The song was banned, and there were reports of arrests for playing it publicly.
Fela’s confrontational style remains unmatched among Nigerian artists, despite attempts to critique the government in other musical genres. His work has left a lasting impact that challenges contemporaries to match his fearless critique amidst Nigeria’s ongoing struggles.