5 Popular Nigerian celebrities who are university dropouts (Photos)

Education, especially in most Nigerian homes is hailed as one of the most important things a child has to go through. But for the musicians on today’s list, as a result of a number of different reasons, they weren’t able to complete their university education and had to drop out. From trying to focus on their music to not having the funds to continue, here are 5 Nigerian musicians who dropped out of university and why.

1. Crayon

Nigerian singer and MAVIN artiste Crayon is the first person on our list. The Ijo (Laba Laba) singer actually quit school right in the middle of writing an exam to dedicate his time fully to doing music. Still, just because he dropped out doesn’t mean he doesn’t see the importance of school. Crayon said in an interview about his decision to leave school:

For me, I knew I was going somewhere. By then, I had already met Don Jazzy and Baby Fresh and I’m sitting around these two great people, and they would want to work with me. I had a conviction from day one. When I walked out of the exam hall, it was scary. People looked at me like, “Who is this guy? Why would you walk out of the exam hall after you waited for hours? It’s crazy”. But I knew that it will be something great. I’m just really happy about where I’m at right now and we’ll keep going up from here. I’m definitely going back to school to study Music Business though, school is really important.

2. Don Jazzy

Another musician who dropped out of university to focus on his music career is MAVIN boss and hitmaker, Don Jazzy. Don Jazzy attended Federal Government College, Lagos and then proceeded to study Business Management at the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma in Edo state where he dropped out in his first year. After his father graduated with BA Hons in Film and Television Production in 2018, Don Jazzy saw it as a challenge to himself saying maybe he would go back to university. He said after his father’s graduation:

Everybody plsss help me congratulate my super dad as he just got his BA Hons Film and Television production. I am soooo proud of you dad. 4 years of learning at this age is not beans. But you did it and did it well. You have set an example for me to follow. I might just go back to Uni too.

3. 2Baba

Another musician who actually dropped out of university to focus on a career in music is the legend 2Baba. 2Baba actually enrolled at Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in Business Administration and Management. 2Baba was balancing music and education but then after getting robbed, he decided to drop out and focus on music. 2Baba said about the decision in an interview:

I got robbed sometime in school. All my audio cassettes that I recorded they took them. I was sad for like a year plus. I dropped out and I am like look I am not continuing this thing I am going to follow music. I actually confessed to my parents. I told them the truth that I am not going back to school. I am going to Lagos, Festac town.

4. Omah Lay

Another singer who dropped out of school to focus on a career in music is musician Stanley Omah Didia popularly known as Omah Lay. Omah Lay actually stayed in university for only about six months before he dropped out. Speaking about the decision during an interview with DW The 77 Percent, Omah Lay said:

Somehow, I just loved music production so much that I could let go of school for it. I felt like maybe sometime I would come back to school, but when I got really deep into music production, I couldn’t go back to school; I didn’t even have the time.

5. Olamide

The final musician on today’s list is rapper and musician, Olamide. Olamide attended the Tai Solarin University of Education but ultimately had to drop out because his parents could not afford the school fees. Speaking an interview about it, Olamide said:

I came from a poor background. I had to drop out of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, when it was getting difficult for my parents to pay my school fees. However with doggedness, perseverance and hard work I was able to find myself where I am today.

Which, if any, of these musicians surprised you to find out about today? Let me know by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

That’s All.