Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, better known as Illbliss, has raised the alarm over the current state of the nation, describing Nigeria as being in “a very dangerous part” of its history.
Speaking during an episode of the Real Shareholders podcast, Illbliss expressed deep concerns over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, widespread corruption, and what he described as a sophisticated government propaganda machine.
The rapper recounted how his politically conscious track, Country, was removed from radio playlists shortly after release because of its critical message.
“I had this record in 2020 called ‘Country.’ It was taken off the radio. Before ‘Country,’ I released other conscious songs like, ‘A Different Kind Of War’ and ‘National Cake.’ But OAPs are always saying that they cannot play such songs because they could get fined,” he said.
Illbliss alleged that the government now employs digital tactics to suppress dissent, with coordinated online responses and subtle censorship of critical voices.
“Every now and then, you put out a record and you see like a 100 or more tweets come at you like, ‘Why are you always trying to make a mockery of the country? The country is not as bad as it is.’ And you just know that it is an artificial pushback, perhaps, a digital response to whatever.”
He noted that propaganda has moved beyond traditional media, now permeating podcasts and online platforms.
“Because I know that propaganda can’t just be on traditional media anymore. Propagandists can have a podcast just to say the government is doing great. And you will see people from our generation sit proudly with their faces showing and say, ‘But this government has created jobs. You can tell.’”
According to Illbliss, the digital landscape that once gave Nigerians a voice has now become a battleground where state-sponsored narratives are pushed aggressively.
“That is where we are. We are in a very dangerous part of our history where the government is matching our energy. We thought we had social media but so much happens on the same social media space and you begin to wonder: has the government begun to fund theories of distraction or is this government a lot more advanced now? I mean, look around us.”
Illbliss’ comments add to a growing chorus of public figures and citizens expressing disillusionment with the state of governance and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
