Senegalese-American singer Akon has shared a vision of how Nigeria could have transformed the global economic landscape if it had retained full control of its oil wealth.
In an AI-curated video posted on Instagram, the Grammy-nominated artist posed a compelling “what if” scenario, suggesting what Nigeria might look like today if it had kept 100% of its oil revenues since gaining independence in 1960, rather than sharing profits with foreign oil companies.
In this alternate scenario, Akon claims that Lagos would have become the world’s financial center, surpassing major cities like London and New York.
Akon’s vision goes beyond just a single city’s skyline. He envisions an Africa-led renaissance, where Nigerian universities would serve as epicenters of global innovation, producing the next generation of tech giants. In this reality, Nollywood would not simply compete with Hollywood but would “completely dominate” the global entertainment industry.
“What if Nigeria had kept 100% of its oil money since 1960 instead of letting Shell and Exxon take it? We’re talking about two trillion dollars that could have stayed in African hands. Lagos would be the world’s financial capital today, not London or New York,” said the video post.
“Nigerian universities would lead global innovation, producing the next generation of tech giants. Nollywood wouldn’t just compete with Hollywood, it would completely dominate global entertainment.”
The singer detailed a dramatic reversal of global power dynamics. He suggested that London’s banking district would be deserted as financial firms relocated to Abuja, and that a Nigerian passport would be more coveted than an American one. The flow of migration would invert, with Europeans seeking work opportunities in a thriving Africa.
“The ripple effects would be even more dramatic. London’s banking district would be empty as major firms relocate to Abuja. Nigerian passports would be more valuable than American ones. Europeans would be crossing the Mediterranean in search of work opportunities in Africa,” it continued.
“The global power structure would flip entirely. Instead of brain drain, Nigeria would attract the world’s brightest minds. One decision in 1960 could have changed everything, Africa controlling its own resources would have reshaped the entire world order.”
