Nigeria’s music scene has long been a powerful mirror of society, shaping attitudes as much as it reflects them. At a time when popular culture is increasingly criticised for normalising internet fraud, drug abuse and excess, a small but deliberate countercurrent is emerging—one that insists music can do more than entertain. It can caution, educate and redirect.
This belief sits at the heart of the work of Akinbami Ebenezer, popularly known as Ben Akinbami. Rather than celebrate illicit wealth or reckless lifestyles, the singer has positioned his music as a tool for social reorientation, aligning his message with the broader fight against crime and corruption in Nigeria.
Akinbami recently brought this message to an unusual stage during a performance at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Officers Night Out, where his music echoed the realities faced daily by law enforcement officials. For the artist, the choice was intentional.
“Music is powerful, and people internalise it more when the lyrics hit differently,” he explained. “If music can influence people into drugs and other vices, then it can also influence younger generations to act better.”
With internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, and drug-related offences raising alarm across the country, Akinbami’s approach is both timely and provocative. His songs speak directly to youths tempted by shortcuts to wealth, as well as to public office holders accused of abusing their positions for personal gain.
His latest single, Hand Go Touch You, is a blunt warning about the long-term consequences of criminal behaviour. Rather than moralising, the song frames accountability as inevitable, urging listeners to respect the rule of law. According to the artist, the record was born out of frustration with how fraud and corruption are often glamorised in everyday conversations and online spaces.
“It’s a song for the season,” Akinbami said. “Criminal acts are on the rampage in our society, and people now glorify fraud and the embezzlement of public funds. The lyrics are a sensitisation—no matter how smart you think you are, the EFCC will catch you.”
Unlike the dominant commercial soundscape driven by flashy visuals and controversy, Akinbami’s music leans heavily on storytelling. Drawing inspiration from news reports and real-life encounters, his work reflects the human cost of crime—both for victims and for officers tasked with enforcing the law. In the video for Hand Go Touch You, he pays tribute to the late EFCC Assistant Superintendent, Aminu Harisu Sahabi, who was killed in the line of duty last year.
The artist’s journey into music began early. He started singing at the age of eight and has since released two studio albums and an Extended Play project. Yet, despite years in the industry, he remains clear-eyed about the limits of socially conscious music in a market driven by trends and virality.
“When you fight corruption, it will definitely fight back,” he admitted. “I’ve faced criticism, especially from people who already hate the anti-graft agency.”
Still, commercial success is not his primary motivation. Akinbami, who also works as a writer and social entrepreneur, says his goal is longevity and meaning rather than momentary popularity.
“I want people to act better and be blessed each time they listen to my music,” he said. “I don’t want to sing songs just to trend. I want to sing songs that will be evergreen.”
His efforts have drawn cautious praise from law enforcement officials and social advocates, who see value in creative approaches to crime prevention. While music alone cannot solve Nigeria’s deep-rooted social challenges, they argue that voices like Akinbami’s help reshape conversations in a culture where musicians wield enormous influence.
In choosing conscience over convenience, Ben Akinbami is testing an alternative path—one where music does not merely soundtrack society’s excesses, but challenges them.