Veteran Nigerian highlife legend, Bright Chimezie, has urged Africans to focus on developing their home countries rather than chasing opportunities overseas.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Chimezie expressed concern over Africa’s growing dependence on the West and the increasing number of young people leaving the continent in search of “greener pastures.”
According to the renowned musician, the belief that success can only be achieved abroad is a damaging mindset that continues to hinder Africa’s growth. “We Africans must find a way. Our problem is here. We are helping those people over there,” he said.
Chimezie, celebrated for his unique fusion of traditional highlife music and cultural activism, emphasized that foreign countries no longer offer the limitless opportunities many imagine. “We always feel that the grass is greener outside. The grass is not greener there. I’ve travelled a lot — there are no more opportunities there. This is one Africa where you can develop something meaningful,” he added.
He further criticized the Western influence on African society, arguing that colonial legacies have distorted the continent’s self-perception. “I blame the white man for it, I’m sorry to say it. Because of the pattern they used to package Africa. When they came, their approach affected our psyche seriously,” Chimezie lamented.
The veteran performer’s remarks have sparked conversations about brain drain, youth migration, and the need for Africans to invest in local innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural development.
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