Veteran Nigerian rapper and cultural critic, Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, popularly known as Illbliss, has delivered a scathing assessment of the Nigerian government's treatment of its youth, calling out a system he says has left young people disillusioned, impoverished, and mentally exhausted.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Real Shareholders podcast, the rapper did not hold back as he addressed the intertwined issues of bad governance, societal decay, and the damaging effects of so-called “wokeness” on Nigerian youths.
“Youth Are Defeated Mentally”—Illbliss Speaks on the Cost of Survival
According to Illbliss, today’s generation of Nigerian youth is facing unprecedented pressure and uncertainty, not only due to a crumbling economy and unemployment but also from the lack of guidance and a culture that has normalized unhealthy behaviors.
“This generation celebrates not just mediocrity but also lack of decision,” he said. “Everything is ‘cool.’ So, under that ‘cool theory,’ people are allowed to overdose on drugs, live however they want, not work, and yet feel entitled.”
He shared real-life stories of young Nigerians forced into internet fraud (“we dey press”) simply to survive, including one individual who turned to crime because his mother’s cancer medication was unaffordable.
“Someone told me he has to do fraud because salary can’t buy his cancer patient mother’s drug. That’s their reality,” Illbliss said solemnly. “Young people are mentally defeated. They are tired. They are just doing whatever they can to keep their lives going.”
Harsh Realities: A Nation Where Dreams Are Deferred
Illbliss went further to indict the Nigerian government, which he believes has consistently failed its citizens, particularly the youth. He described the current environment as hostile to both growth and hope.
“The government has woefully failed young people in this country in the last years,” he emphasized. “It’s a tough time being a young person in Nigeria. It’s a tough time aging in Nigeria. It’s a tough time being born in Nigeria.”
A Cultural Voice of Conscience
Known for his socially conscious lyrics and bold political commentary, Illbliss has long used his platform to shine a light on the systemic issues plaguing Nigeria. His latest comments echo a growing sentiment among many Nigerians who feel trapped in a cycle of survival, inequality, and institutional neglect.
His message isn’t just a critique; it’s a warning—that the nation’s failure to invest meaningfully in its youth is creating a generation at risk of losing faith in society altogether.
As more artists and thought leaders speak out, Illbliss’s voice adds to the urgent call for reform, compassion, and a reawakening to the dire conditions facing Nigeria’s most vibrant demographic.