Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has openly criticized the government for its failure to address the country’s deepening economic struggles, saying Nigerians have become dangerously comfortable with hardship.
During a recent interview with Madame Joyce in the UK, the “Zanku” star didn’t hold back his frustration about how citizens have accepted suffering as normal.
“We’re used to it, suffering and smiling. That’s just how things have always been, and the government isn’t lifting a finger to change it,” Zlatan said, pointing fingers at leaders who seem disconnected from everyday Nigerians.
His remarks came after British rapper Dave highlighted the stark contrast he noticed in Nigeria: club-goers spending extravagantly while beggars outside struggle to survive.
For Zlatan, this scene perfectly captures the country’s troubling inequality.
The rapper admitted that hardship has become so normalized that many Nigerians no longer expect better. But he also shared a more nuanced perspective on the issue.
While holding the government accountable, Zlatan didn’t shy away from addressing individual responsibility.
He observed that some people have become too reliant on handouts rather than actively seeking ways to improve their situation.
“The less privileged need to look for productive ways to earn a living,” he said, stressing that waiting for help alone won’t solve anyone’s problems.
Zlatan, who regularly uses his platform to speak on social issues, believes Nigerians need a balance: demanding better governance while also taking personal initiative to create change.
