Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charly Boy has called on musicians and celebrities to use their platforms more responsibly, warning that Nigeria risks a major crisis if those with the loudest voices continue to stay silent on issues affecting ordinary citizens.

Speaking recently, the 75-year-old, born Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, argued that entertainers carry a social responsibility that goes far beyond entertainment, insisting that musicians in particular have the power to shape public discourse in ways that even politicians cannot. He challenged them to produce music that speaks to the struggles and realities of everyday Nigerians rather than shying away from controversy for the sake of commercial comfort.

“They can do more. They have larger platforms than politicians. It won’t hurt them to speak up or make music that reflects reality,” Charly Boy said, stressing that the silence of Nigeria’s celebrity class at a time of widespread hardship was both irresponsible and dangerous.

The outspoken entertainer, widely known as Area Fada, has long positioned himself as one of the few public figures in Nigerian entertainment willing to confront power directly and mobilise citizens around social causes. His latest comments are consistent with a career defined by using art as a vehicle for activism, from his politically charged 1988 album, which drew national controversy and was banned from several radio stations, to his more recent campaigns against government impunity.

Beyond his advocacy, Charly Boy also announced details of his forthcoming memoir, titled ‘999’, which is scheduled for release in July 2026. He described the title as a symbol of transformation, renewal, and the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Promising readers an unfiltered account of his journey, he said the book would contain the good, the bad, and the ugly, noting that too many people pass through life without ever telling their full story. While many still associate him primarily with his iconic biker persona, Charly Boy said he has evolved into a phase of his life centred on storytelling, reflection, and legacy. He acknowledged that he was rebellious and irresponsible in his younger years but maintained that he never lost sight of his purpose, even through clashes with his father and society at large.