Itohan

I grew up on Fela’s music, but wasn’t until I got older that I understood the value of his message; anti-govt corruption, African unity, and cultural preservation. His songs were antidotes for the times. For example: the generation before me was taught using 1960s British curriculum in Nigeria, shunning many traditional Nigerian practices and beliefs. Like many Western/Colonial governments, they put Black self-hate in the textbooks. Imagine that for homework. Fela’s “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” was in direct response; use African textbooks for African children living in Africa with African problems and African culture. And they called him radical for it, amongst many other reasons lol. But that’s no surprise. He was ahead of the times.

Photos from the 25th Anniversary “Felabration!”. The exhibition beautifully showcased his radical expression, cultural pride, and political resistance.
Lagos, NG // October 2025