KIDDWAYA: NIGERIA WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED FASTER IF COLONIAL RULE LASTED LONGER

August 9, 2026

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Reality TV star Tersee Waya, popularly known as Kiddwaya, has argued that Nigeria might have achieved greater development if British colonial rule had continued for a longer period.

Britain granted Nigeria independence in 1960 following sustained pressure from nationalist leaders and political activists. The country later became a republic in 1963, formally ending its remaining constitutional ties with Britain.

Kiddwaya made the remarks in a recent social media post, where he suggested that Nigeria may have gained more from a longer period of colonial rule and described the country’s independence as premature.

He claimed that the country would have been better developed if the colonial masters had stayed 10 to 15 years longer than they left.

On his X handle, he wrote, “Unpopular opinion. The British should have stayed in Nigeria for 10/15 more years. You go see better development.”

His claim elicited mixed reactions, with many agreeing that his claims were hard to dismiss considering the kind of leaders that Nigeria has produced since independence.

Others argued that the colonial masters would have ignored development and continued exploiting Nigeria’s resources if they had remained longer.