The BBNaija star’s controversial take on colonialism has set Nigerian Twitter ablaze
BBNaija alumnus and socialite Kiddwaya* has stirred the pot once again — and this time, it has nothing to do with reality TV drama. The son of billionaire Terry Waya took to **X (formerly Twitter)** to share a spicy opinion that has since divided Nigerians across the country: that Nigeria would have been significantly more developed today if the British had extended their colonial rule by *10 to 15 more years before granting independence.
Yes, you read that correctly.
What Exactly Did Kidd Say?
In his post, Kiddwaya argued that a longer period of British administration would have better prepared Nigeria for self-governance, suggesting that the foundations for infrastructure, institutions, and national development were not sufficiently laid before the Union Jack was lowered on October 1, 1960.
The comment, as you can imagine, landed like a thunderbolt in the harmattan season — dry, sharp, and impossible to ignore.
Nigerians Are Not Having It
It did not take long before the replies section became a full-blown town hall meeting. Many Nigerians were swift to drag the assertion, pointing out the deep irony of suggesting that the same colonial system responsible for exploitation, resource extraction, and ethnic manipulation would somehow have been Nigeria’s saving grace with just a few more years on the clock.
“So the people who drew our borders carelessly, pitted our ethnic groups against each other, and carted away our resources needed more time to help us?” one user fired back. The sentiment was shared by thousands.
Critics reminded Kiddwaya — and anyone nodding along — that colonialism was never a development project. It was, at its core, a system designed to benefit Britain, not Nigerians. The railways built during that era? They ran from resource-rich interiors straight to the ports — for export, not for the Nigerian commuter.
But Some Agreed With Him
To be fair, Kidd’s opinion did find a few defenders. Some argued that post-independence Nigeria has struggled with corruption, poor institutional capacity, and political instability* — challenges that perhaps point to a rushed transition to self-rule. A handful of commenters noted that countries like *Botswana and Singapore, which had more structured transitions, managed to build stronger foundations early on.
It is a perspective that exists in academic circles too, though it remains deeply controversial and uncomfortable for many.
The Bigger Conversation
Whether you agree with Kiddwaya or not, his comments have cracked open a very important conversation that Nigerians need to keep having: Why, over 60 years after independence, are we still battling the same demons?
Bad roads. Epileptic power supply. A struggling naira. Ethnic tensions. Institutional rot.
The honest answer, however, is not that we needed more colonialism — it is that we needed, and still need, better leadership, accountability, and a genuine commitment to nationhood from those we elect and those who seize power by force.
Blaming the British for leaving “too early” risks letting our own leaders off the hook for decades of mismanagement, looting of the treasury, and outright negligence.
The Verdict
Kiddwaya, a young man raised in privilege with a British education, may have spoken from a place of genuine frustration about Nigeria’s slow development. But frustration, no matter how valid, should not lead us to romanticise the very system that set the stage for many of our current struggles.
Nigeria’s problems are real. But the solution has never been, and will never be, found in looking backwards at colonialism with longing eyes.
We have everything we need — the human capital, the natural resources, the cultural richness. What we need now is the political will and collective resolve to build the Nigeria we all know is possible.
Abi, how many of you agree? Let us know in the comments. 👇
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