Nollywood actor Femi Branch has issued an impassioned plea to Nigerian politicians, urging them to stop using the lives of schoolchildren as political currency in their power struggles. Speaking in a video shared on social media Saturday morning, the veteran performer responded to escalating tensions surrounding mass abductions of students across Nigeria, particularly following the release of 46 kidnapped students and teachers from Orire in Oyo State.
The victims, who regained their freedom on Friday after enduring 56 harrowing days in captivity, have become the latest flashpoint in what Branch characterized as dangerous political gamesmanship. His appeal came in direct response to remarks made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde about the incident, which the actor suggested were turning a human tragedy into political theater. Branch stopped short of naming individuals but made clear his frustration with what he views as the weaponization of child safety for partisan advantage.
In his emotional appeal, Branch drew attention to the compounding vulnerabilities facing Nigerian children, from deteriorating educational standards to inadequate security. He emphasized that young people in the country are already bearing an unfair burden without being dragged into adult political conflicts. The trauma inflicted on children who spent nearly two months in the hands of kidnappers, he argued, demands urgent psychological intervention rather than being reduced to talking points in political speeches.
Branch specifically referenced Governor Makinde’s controversial statement appearing to link the timing of the abduction to political events, including the governor’s presidential declaration. According to the governor’s timeline, the mass kidnapping occurred the morning after his 4pm announcement, an observation that Branch believes inappropriately frames the incident through a political lens. While careful to frame his comments as a general appeal rather than a personal , the actor’s message carried unmistakable criticism of those who would connect such dots publicly.
The broader context of Branch’s intervention reflects a disturbing pattern across Nigeria, where school abductions have become increasingly common in recent years. Communities in the northern and central regions have borne the brunt of these s, with hundreds of students kidnapped from educational institutions since the infamous Chibok girls abduction in 2014. Each incident brings fresh trauma to families and communities while exposing the fragility of security infrastructure meant to protect the most vulnerable citizens.
As Nigeria grapples with this ongoing crisis, voices like Branch’s highlight growing public frustration with the politicization of security failures. Whether his appeal will influence political discourse remains uncertain, but the actor’s intervention underscores a widespread desire to see children’s welfare elevated above partisan interests. Moving forward, the focus must shift to comprehensive security reforms, trauma care for survivors, and creating an environment where education can proceed without fear, free from the shadows of both kidnappers and political opportunism.
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