Afro-pop sensation Davido and a trio of young, female Nigerian activists have been named to Time Magazine’s TIME100 Next list, which honors 100 individuals who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership.
Like the members of the Time100 list, the Time100 Next honorees each have a tribute written by someone in their field.
“Davido is one of the biggest voices in Afrobeats because his music connects with people, often in ways that transcend his expectations,” wrote Big Brother Naija winner and rising artist, Laycon.
“When he released the song “FEM” in 2020, a title that loosely translates to “shut up” in Yoruba, he didn’t know it would become a major #EndSARS protest anthem, as youth banded together to demand the government take action to end police brutality in Nigeria last October.”
Nigerian women and youth were the driving force of those anti-police brutality protests, with the group the Feminist Coalition perhaps the most recognisable for raising more than N140 million ($387,000) to provide food, medical aid, legal aid, and other necessary support for protesters.
Damilola Odufuwa, Odunayo Eweniyi, both founders of the group, and member Feyikemi “FK” Abudu, were spotlighted by Time Magazine for their role in the protests.
“Drawing on their expertise in tech, they raised donations in Bitcoin to offer protesters medical assistance, legal aid and mental-health support. Simultaneously, Feyikemi “FK” Abudu acted quickly, raising funds from both Nigeria and the diaspora to organize food and security arrangements for protesters on the ground,” the magazine said.
“The coalition’s leaders hope their crucial role in the protests demonstrates the importance of having women in leadership.”
An expansion of the TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world, TIME100 Next highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, and more.
“Everyone on this list is poised to make history,” said Dan Macsai, editorial director of the TIME100. “And in fact, many already have.”