Akon hails Nigerians, says they are ‘the most intelligent people on earth’

Senegalese-American singer Akon has praised Nigerians for their creativity and achievements in music, describing them as “the most intelligent people on the planet.”

The singer made the remark during a recent episode of the We Need To Talk podcast, where he also reflected on his experience working with late pop icon Michael Jackson.

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According to Akon, collaborating with Michael Jackson remains one of the proudest moments of his career.

“My photo with Michael Jackson is my proudest photo. I was already a full-blown celebrity at the point the photo was taken. But I am a child compared to this man. He is like everybody’s idol,” he said.

The 53-year-old artist also spoke about his contribution to the growth of African music, particularly Afrobeats, noting that he worked closely with Banky W through Empire Mates Entertainment and supported several Nigerian artistes.

He referenced acts such as P-Square and Wizkid while praising the global rise of Afrobeats.

“Nigerians are the most intelligent people on the planet. They have done amazingly well with Afrobeats,” Akon added.

The singer’s comments have since sparked positive reactions online, with many fans applauding his recognition of Nigeria’s impact on global music and entertainment.