Name: Merotiwon Faith Oluwafunmilayo

Level: 300

Course: Pharmacy

Department: Pharmacy

Institution: Olabisi Onabanjo University

Bridging Idealism and Reality: The Enduring Pursuit of Collective Happiness in Fela’s Nigeria and Today’s Nigeria

Imagine a world where success is not measured by personal wealth but by the happiness of an entire community. This was the dream of Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti, the fearless Nigerian musician and activist, who challenged society’s obsession with individual success. In a time when modern life prioritizes self-interest over collective well-being, Fela dared to imagine something different—a society built on unity, equality, and shared happiness. At the center of Fela’s philosophy was the idea of collective happiness. He criticized individualism, arguing that focusing only on ‘me’ instead of ‘us’ harms the community. He promoted Ideals like equality, fairness, freedom, and resistance to oppression. As selfishness grows stronger, Fela’s dream feels both urgent and distant. His idealistic vision stands out like a bright light. Yet, as inspiring as his philosophy is, we must ask: Can such a vision survive in today’s harsh reality? In a world shaped by competition and self-interest, where “every man for himself” has become the rule, can we really live by his ideals? How, then, might we balance his idealism with the realities of the modern world?

Fela Kuti believed deeply in the power of collective happiness, viewing it as central to the well-being of both individuals and society. His vision was rooted in his critiques of the political systems in Nigeria, the oppressive structures, and the ways in which colonial legacies and corruption had disempowered the people. Fela envisioned a world where the collective, rather than the individual or the elite, was the focus of societal progress. His music, which blended Afro beat, jazz, highlife, and funk, became the vehicle for his radical ideals. Through his songs, Fela advocated for unity among the people, calling for social justice, equality, and self-determination. His messages weren’t merely political; they were deeply rooted in a spiritual sense of community, where joy, freedom, and equality could be collectively achieved. Fela’s idealistic vision went beyond just politics or music; it was about the liberation of the soul, as he sought to break free from the mental and cultural chains imposed by colonialism. He wanted Africans to reconnect with their roots and their shared heritage, using music as a tool for resistance and enlightenment. The collective happiness, for Fela, wasn’t just about material wealth or success—it was a deeper sense of empowerment, unity, and personal and collective freedom. His ‘Kalakuta Republic,’ a commune he created, reflected his ideal of a society built on cooperation, self-reliance, and mutual respect. Fela lived out this vision in his everyday life, creating a space where people could come together, live freely, and work towards a common purpose. It was his attempt to escape the systems that he felt stifled the natural joy and potential of the people. Though his journey was fraught with personal and political struggles—including numerous arrests, harassment, and the eventual destruction of his commune by the Nigerian government—Fela’s unwavering commitment to his vision of collective happiness left an indelible mark on the world. His music continues to inspire movements for social change, and his ideals of freedom, unity, and justice still resonate with people striving for a more equitable world.

While Fela Kuti’s vision of collective happiness remains deeply inspiring, the realities of modern society expose the profound challenges of realizing such a dream. The capitalist system, which emphasizes profit, competition, and individual success, stands in direct opposition to Fela’s communal ideals. In capitalist economies, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the majority of people struggling to survive. In 2023, the World Inequality Database shows that income inequality varies significantly across regions. It highlighted this disparity, revealing that Sub-Saharan Africa, often described as one of the poorest regions in the world, ranks among the most unequal. The richest 10% capture 55% of the national income, and the top 1% earn 20%. This growing inequality mirrors the situation in Nigeria, where, despite being one of Africa’s largest economies, over 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, and about 63% are multidimensionally poor (National Bureau of Statistics, 2020). Fela, in his song “Shuffering and Shmiling” (1978), powerfully critiqued this economic divide, saying, “You are suffering and smiling, you are dying inside, you are smiling on the outside.” His words reflect the painful disconnect between the outward appearances of a prosperous society and the deep social and economic struggles that many Nigerians face—struggles driven by a system that values individual accumulation over the collective good. Fela’s critique of capitalism and individualism is also rooted in his broader understanding of human nature. Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes argued that human beings are inherently selfish and competitive, famously stating that “the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Hobbes’ bleak view of human nature helps explain why Fela’s ideal of collective happiness has struggled to gain traction in today’s world. Modern individualism, exemplified in what we call “hustle” in Nigeria, promotes the idea that personal success—often achieved through exploitation and competition—is the ultimate goal. This shift has led to a society where economic success is valued above all else, and collective well-being is often overlooked. As Fela put it In his song “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” (1977), “You cannot have food and have peace without equality.” This powerful statement critiques the social and economic systems that perpetuate inequality, where the poor are left to fend for themselves while the rich and powerful accumulate more resources.

Fela’s attempts to create a more collective way of life also faced major challenges, further revealing the difficulty of applying his idealism in the real world. One of the most striking examples was the Kalakuta Republic, Fela’s self-declared independent commune in Lagos. Founded in the 1970s, the Kalakuta Republic was a symbol of Fela’s commitment to communal living, where he and his followers lived without the constraints of government control. However, the Nigerian government viewed the Kalakuta Republic as a threat, and in 1977, soldiers raided the commune, destroying it and severely injuring Fela. This violent attack on his community shows how deeply entrenched political power and corruption can undermine efforts to create a society based on collective welfare. Fela, who was never one to back down from confrontation, responded with his song “Zombie” (1976), in which he condemned Nigeria’s military for blindly following orders and perpetuating state violence. The lyrics, “Zombie no go think unless you tell am to think,” criticized the mindless obedience of those in power, highlighting the failure of the state to support the people.

Additionally, the failures of African socialist projects further illustrate the difficulty of realizing Fela’s vision. In Tanzania, Julius Nyerere’s Ujamaa program, which sought to create a collective, socialist society, ultimately failed due to economic difficulties, lack of political will, and resistance from the local population, who were unwilling to abandon individual land ownership. Similarly, in Nigeria, the post-independence attempts to build a unified and equitable society were sabotaged by military coups, corruption, and political instability. The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), which arose from ethnic and political divisions, further exposed the fragile nature of attempts at collective unity. Fela’s own reflections on the war, such as in his song “Beasts of No Nation” (1989), highlight how political and ethnic conflicts tear apart any hopes of collective social harmony.

Despite the significant obstacles facing Fela Kuti’s vision of collective happiness, his dream remains alive today through the efforts of social justice movements and community-based initiatives that seek to balance idealism with realism. Collective happiness, at its core, involves building societies where economic justice, political freedom, and social well-being are prioritized over selfish ambition and material accumulation. While Fela’s radical vision may seem utopian in today’s fragmented and capitalist world, it continues to find expression in grassroots actions that adapt his ideals to modern realities. Recent celebrations of World Happiness Day 2025, as reported by Punch.ng, emphasized social bonds, community support, and a sense of shared purpose—principles that mirror Fela’s philosophy. In Nigeria, several initiatives embody this spirit by focusing on community empowerment and collective welfare. An inspiring example is the Aiyeku Foundation, which believes in helping the needy, the poor, or the marginalized with no strings attached in this presently corrupt community, reflecting Fela’s ideal of serving humanity selflessly and striving for a just society despite prevailing corruption. Foundations like Aiyeku’s show that the spirit of collective happiness continues to live through those committed to humanitarian causes without selfish motives. Similarly, organizations such as the Slum2School Africa project provide free education and healthcare to thousands of children living in marginalized communities. Another is BudgIT, which promotes transparency and citizen participation in government budgeting, reflecting Fela’s call for accountability and grassroots empowerment. In his song “Power Show” (1975), Fela warned against leaders who flaunt their wealth and power without serving the people, urging instead: “Show me your power by working for the people, not by killing the people.” Other notable movements that capture Fela’s spirit include The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s entrepreneurship program, which has funded over 15,000 small businesses across Africa. This demonstrates how economic empowerment at the grassroots level can create collective prosperity. Programs like Teach For Nigeria, which trains young Nigerians to serve in underserved schools, and LEAP Africa, which nurtures leadership and social innovation among youth, also embody Fela’s belief in the power of the people to transform society from the ground up. Social justice movements like EndSARS and the rise of politically conscious youth platforms like The Future Project demonstrate that Fela’s revolutionary spirit is far from dead. Though the EndSARS protests were violently repressed, they showed that young Nigerians can unite to demand justice and dignity, embodying Fela’s belief that the people’s collective voice is their most powerful weapon. In “Unknown Soldier” (1979), Fela asserted: “The man is dead, but the struggle continues.” That spirit of resilience continues to energize social movements today. A recent example is the NYSC controversy in early 2025, where a young female corps member publicly called out alleged unfair treatment by NYSC officials. With the collective action of Nigerian youths mobilized across social media platforms to demand justice, using hashtags and collective outrage to pressure authorities, there was a swift resolution of her case, which resulted in an official apology and policy reviews, highlighting the extraordinary power of collective youth action—a living proof that Fela’s dream of people-powered change is not only possible but ongoing.

Furthermore, empowerment programs such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative show practical efforts at building a society where collective welfare is prioritized. These projects reflect the new generation’s understanding that collective happiness requires not only resisting injustice but also innovating new solutions that directly uplift the masses. Fela’s dream also lives on through the arts and popular culture. Musicians like Burna Boy, whose album African Giant draws heavily from Fela’s messages, and activists like Aisha Yesufu, who continue to demand accountability from political leaders, keep Fela’s ideals alive in both the political and cultural space. As Fela said in an interview, “Music is the weapon. Music is the weapon of the future.” Today, not just music, but art, activism, entrepreneurship, and education serve as weapons for building collective happiness.

In balancing idealism with realism, Fela’s vision teaches that true progress requires both moral clarity and practical strategy. His life and legacy remind us that collective happiness is not a naïve dream but a concrete possibility—one that demands persistence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to justice. As the Punch.ng article for World Happiness Day 2025 pointed out, “Communities that invest in each other create not just happiness, but lasting strength.” It becomes clear that true progress lies not in selfish accumulation or isolated success but in the creation of societies where each individual’s dignity is protected and celebrated. The powerful resurgence of collective efforts—from youth-led protests to education-focused initiatives to popular projects and grassroots movements—reminds us that the dream is alive whenever people come together with a shared purpose. Fela’s ideals are not only surviving—they are adapting and thriving, offering a roadmap for a more just, joyful, and united Nigeria. Overall, the economic and political systems that dominate modern society create significant barriers to the realization of Fela’s ideal of collective happiness. While Fela’s ideas remain relevant, the systems of capitalism, individualism, and political corruption make them incredibly difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, his vision continues to inspire movements for change, serving as a powerful reminder of the potential for collective action to overcome the forces that divide us. Fela Anikulapo Kuti did not simply make music — he made a movement, a message, and a mirror for society. His dream of collective happiness is not a relic of the past but a challenge to the present. We must no longer wait for leaders to change the world; we must become the collective force that reshapes it. As Fela so powerfully stated, “I don’t want happiness for myself alone, but I want it for everybody.” This principle demands that we dismantle the walls of individualism and invest in community-building, solidarity, and empathy, ensuring that happiness is a collective journey, not a solitary destination. Through unity, activism, and a renewed commitment to justice, we can reclaim the power of the people. Let us invest not only in ourselves, but in each other — in our communities, in the marginalized, in the unheard. For in that investment lies the true wealth of a nation. Just as he once said, “My people are scared of the air around them, they always have an excuse not to fight for freedom.” Let that no longer be true. Now is the time to fight — not with violence, but with vision. To rise — not alone, but together.

References

Moore, C. (2009). Fela: This bitch of a life. Chicago Review Press.

National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria. (2020). Poverty and Inequality Report.

Punch Nigeria. (2025, March 20). World Happiness Day: True joy lies in community, experts say. Punch Newspaper.

Tony Elumelu Foundation. (2025). Annual impact report.

World Inequality Report. (2023). World Inequality Database.

Veal, M. E. (2000). Fela: The life and times of an African musical icon. Temple University Press