Senegalese-American singer and entrepreneur Akon has praised Nigerians for their “unlimited talent” and “unlimited population,” calling them the “smartest people on the planet” while urging greater collaboration to unlock Africa’s global potential.
Speaking on Paul Brunson’s ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, Akon held up Nigeria as the perfect example of a nation with a system that has successfully spread its music worldwide.
“The Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet, next to the Jamaicans,” he said, noting that tracing any Jamaican lineage leads back to Nigeria. “I don’t know any African that ain’t got Nigerian DNA somewhere.”
However, Akon criticised the intense competition within Nigeria’s creative space. “No one took the time to say, ‘Let me create an opportunity for who you may even deem your competitor,’” he said, arguing that mutual support could open doors for everyone.
The singer, who has long championed African development through his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, stressed that harnessing Nigeria’s intellectual brilliance and fostering collaboration could accelerate the continent’s rise in global music and beyond.
“They’re so brilliant mentally, but it’s because there’s so much competition within the system,” he added.
