Is Africa Under The First Son Curse?

Being an offspring of any country’s president should be one of the most coveted privileges in today’s possession-obsessed world.

The opportunities and privileges are endless. They can practically wish for the moon on a stick at sunrise and have Santa at their beck and call.

One would expect those greatly favoured to use their positions to make an impact, touch lives, and build up rather than scatter and tear down.

Take the United States, for instance. Several of the First Children in recent history have excelled in different areas of their interests, like Caroline Kennedy, Chelsea Clinton, and Barbara Pierce Bush. Even Donald Trump’s Children, Ivanka and Eric, have held their own.

Africa has its share of shining examples, too. But the continent is also littered with stories of First Children who have either been in the news for the wrong reasons or are only mentioned when they get married, have accidents, or engage in any other activity that does not ultimately contribute to the bottom line.

Of irresponsible first sons
It is sad to say that, to a large extent, Nigeria and its First Sons seem to fall into the second category. For some of these first sons, leveraging the different platforms for the public good isn’t on their menu.

The 42-year-old Duduzane Zuma, son of former South African President Jacob Zuma, falls into the first category. Since his father was president, he has been dogged by various scandals, ranging from a road accident that became a culpable homicide case to corruption allegations.

Concerning the accident, Duduzane was said to have lost control of his Porsche on the road and hit the rear of a taxi. The Taxi driver, a mother of a two-year-old, died instantly. Three other people were also severely injured. One of the accident survivors had narrated that Duduzane was speeding before hitting their minivan taxi.

Profligacy as lifestyle
The eldest son of President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang (nicknamed Teodorin), is no stranger to controversies and scandals. He has been embroiled in various probes and sanctions over what has been described as his ill-gotten assets.

In January 2025, money laundering charges from the Brazilian government landed on Teodoro’s door. Long before now, the United Kingdom and United States authorities prosecuted him for one corruption or embezzlement allegation. He was once convicted in France and received a suspended licence and a fine of €30 million, a fine he could have paid by simply dipping his hand into his back pocket.

Nguema was said to have paid £400,000 to hire a Superyacht Tatoosh for a Christmas cruise on which he entertained Eve, a rap singer.

The international media has also criticised him for spending about R10,000,000 (more than $500,000) on a weekend of Champagne in South Africa, property renovations, and luxury cars.

One can safely say that Mr. Teodorin Obiang is better known for his profligate lifestyle than for policy-making and governance, despite being a significant staple in his father’s government.

Another President’s son notorious for his outrageous lifestyle is Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, the son of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

Like his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Dennis-Christel, who turned 50 in January 2025, has been integral to his father’s administration and has held several significant positions within the Congolese government and public enterprises.

Of course, like his African peers above, Denis-Christel has been embroiled in corruption and embezzlement-related controversies. Reports have it that Investigations have linked him to significant financial misconduct, including a case in which he was accused of corruptly obtaining $50 million from national treasury funds. Either he keeps the key to the treasury or has a spare under his pillow.

Millions Blown on Fashion
In 2007, Global Witness, a UK-based NGO, published documents, including Sassou Nguesso’s credit card bills, which showed that he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on shopping sprees in Paris, Marbella and Dubai.
The documents revealed that on 3 June 2006, Denis-Christel spent €10,225 on Louis Vuitton and $35,000 on purchases from designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Louis Vuitton in August 2006 alone.

Though he took the NGO to court in London for publishing the documents, the presiding judge dismissed his case.

The French government has also investigated him for using proceeds of embezzled public funds to acquire luxury properties in France.

As said earlier, the story has been slightly different but not necessarily better back home in Nigeria.

A new dawn?
Since 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, children of the first family have been embroiled in one controversy or another. Not much can be ascribed to them regarding positive contributions to Nigeria’s well-being and growth.

But who knows?
With the prominent but quiet and persistent acts of public service and philanthropy we have seen from certain quarters, we might be turning the corner on that chapter in this new dispensation.

It appears there is hope for Nigeria and Africa yet.

Maxwell Uzochukwu wrote from Lekki, Lagos.