Eldee: Why I gave up on Nigeria, stopped music

Lanre Dabiri, a Nigerian musician and entrepreneur, says he gave up on the country after realizing that it was far too gone for the kind of redemption he had sought.

The 42-year-old real estate mogul, better known as Eldee, disclosed this during an online question and answer session with his fans. He also spoke on leaving music and moving to the US.

He said, although the decision to leave a thriving music career and move to the western world was a tough one for him, he has no regrets as everything eventually panned out well.

Making an analogy of Nigerian politicians, Eldee said that the need to be closer to his family while handing over the music baton to the younger generation also informed his exit.

“I’m really sad about this one but a deeper understanding 0f the root cause of Nigeria’s problems gave the clarity I needed. I figured that Nigeria is too far gone for the kind of redemption that I was personally seeking,” he wrote in a series of posts on his Instastory.

“The decision to quit a thriving music career and leave Naija for good is the most difficult and impactful decision I ever made. Honestly, it was just time to move on.

“I felt it was just time to hand the baton over to the next generation and proud of what they’re doing with it. It’s very easy to become an agbaya… look at our politicians.”

He also advised young Nigerian graduates who plan on joining the mass exodus.

“Never stop fighting for a better life. Leaving Nigeria is one of the many options you have but it shouldn’t be the only option you pursue. I did well in Nigeria and I know many people who still do,” he added.

Eldee had earlier slugged it out with Olu Maintain, a Lagos-born recording artiste, after he accused the latter of trying to steal his song, ‘Big Boy’.