Akon stated: “Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet”

Akon, the iconic Senegalese-American musician who rocked the early 2000s with his amazing R&B and hip hop music, has made a bold statement about Nigerians. In an interview with the popular podcast “Drinking Champs”, Akon described Nigerians as the smartest people on the planet.

The musician, who has contributed immensely to the export of Afrobeats to the global space, left listeners stunned when he called Nigerians the most intelligent beings on Earth. In his words, “This may be debatable but Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet…There’s nobody smarter than the Nigerian.” Akon draws a similarity between Nigeria and the bustling city of New York, saying that Nigerians are super smart and can match up to the forces that dominate the American city.

It’s no news that Nigeria has produced the finest of intellectuals, researchers, scientists, and inventors in history. From the likes of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in literature, to Philip Emeagwali in computing, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who recently emerged as the first African and first woman to head the World Trade Organization. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated intelligence in various fields of endeavour and as Akon puts it, “you cannot dispute that.”

However, the music star admits that there are bad apples amongst the bunch, as some use their intelligence negatively. Nevertheless, Akon’s statement on Nigerians’ intelligence is a testament to the immense talent, creativity and brainpower found in Nigeria.

The interview also saw Akon touching on the topic of Jollof Rice, a famous delicacy in West Africa. Despite being Senegalese-American, Akon confesses his love for Nigerian Jollof Rice while acknowledging the differences in the preparation style between Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia.

On the subject of Afrobeats, Akon’s contribution in connecting Nigerian music to the world cannot be overstated. As early as 2007, the musician had been connecting with Nigerian music and in 2012, he famously collaborated with Nigerian megastar duo P-Square in their hit single ‘Chop My Money’. Akon also signed Wizkid to his label Konvict Music, further showcasing the fusion between Afrobeats and western music.

In conclusion, Akon’s interview offers a unique perspective on Nigeria’s intellectual prowess and its position in the global space. The musician’s remarks can be seen as a nod to the rich intelligence and cultural heritage found in the country. Nigerians should not only take pride in it, but also continue harnessing those talents and making significant contributions to the world.