Seun Kuti Criticizes Aisha Yesufu's Women’s Liberation Advocacy: "Liberate Yourself from Your Hijab First"

Seun Kuti recently criticized Aisha Yesufu, the Bring Back Our Girls Movement convener, regarding her approach to women’s liberation.

Kuti expressed his disapproval while recounting a disagreement they had during a televised discussion about women’s rights.

Kuti openly questioned Yesufu’s advocacy, suggesting it was contradictory for her to promote women’s liberation while wearing a hijab. He argued that embracing Islamic or Christian beliefs, in his view, equates to a departure from African cultural identity.

In a post shared on his official social media page, Kuti stated, “It’s the Africanness in us that is helping your European behaviour. That is why Aisha Yesufu and I engaged in an argument on TV, she wan dey talk anyhow, and I told her father off.”

Continuing his critique, Kuti asserted, “Once you are a Christian or Muslim, you have abandoned Africanness. That one tied hijab saying she wanted to liberate Nigerian women. Mherfker liberates yourself from your Hijab first.”