A voice
for the voiceless
Passing the torch to a new generation of activists
The York Centre for Applied Human Rights welcomes activists to the University, offering them training and sanctuary.
Since 2008, more than 100 human rights defenders from 50 different countries have joined the Centre on protective fellowships.
Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkarim is one of the Centre's current Fellows. We caught up about his legacy of awareness-raising and vision for the future of Nigeria.
My name is Eedris Abdulkarim
“I don’t play with dreams. I follow them. For me, dreams are a form of communication. As a child, I had dreams of a gold microphone swinging towards me and struggled to understand the meaning.
"One day, as a cadet at a military school, I was introduced to the world of rap. I realised that this was my calling: to use my voice to speak for the voiceless."
Artistry and activism
"I consider myself a sociopolitical activist, using my music to expose corruption and educate people about their rights. People need to read up about their constitution and find out what their government is planning. If it’s no good for the people, say no!
"My songs resonated with young people, inspiring 30 million youths to vote for me to carry the Olympic flame. I felt as though I was literally passing the torch to the next generation.
"Determined to continue to use my music to fight injustice, I released Jaga Jaga, meaning ‘shambles’, as a reflection of the state of Nigeria. The government condemned the song as blasphemy, but it has become almost a second national anthem to my people.
"In 2020, I took part in a protest of about 6 million people, demonstrating against police brutality. In response, the government sent in the troops. A lot of my friends died, and I was seriously injured. I’m grateful to be alive to continue my work."
“COMING TO THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT, I FEEL ENERGISED. IT MAKES ME WANT TO DO MORE.”
A platform for change
"I am part of Unchained Vibes Africa, an organisation developing arts and cultural projects for social causes. My coordinator introduced me to the Human Rights Defenders Fellowship at York. I grabbed the opportunity and I’m loving it.
"As a Human Rights City, there is no better place to conduct my research, focusing on artists and activists killed in Nigeria. Coming to this new environment, I feel energised. It makes me want to do more. York definitely succeeds in its mission to be a University for public good".
From lyrics to legacy
"When I return to Nigeria, I will be recording a new album and organising concerts to help my people navigate society, and educate them on police brutality, government policy and campus injustices. I want to encourage fresh arts movements and teach people to become socially conscious artists.
"I want to be remembered as the guy who stood up for Nigerians during hard times. As an honest man who stands up for dignity and refuses to be silent."
The University of York welcomes those who are displaced.
We seek to be a safe place for refugees, asylum seekers and other people who have been forced to migrate.
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