Joeboy: I was humiliated as kid for owing school fees

Joeboy, the Nigerian singer and songwriter, says the embarrassment he got as a kid for owing school fees affected his self-esteem.

In a chat with Chude Jideonwo, TV host, the 24-year-old disclosed that life was difficult for him while growing up.

The singer also spoke about some of his struggles before stardom, adding that he worked under the sun to promote a product in Ogun state.

“Sometimes I felt everything should just end because it was difficult,” he said.

“I remember after secondary school, I didn’t have money, I was looking for a job. I remember going for a full month looking for a job. 

“I would prepare my CV. There was a time I trekked from Ilaje to Sabo in search of a job with my friend. We submitted our CVs but didn’t get the jobs eventually. 

“I eventually got a job to promote products for a company under the sun. They took us to redeem camp in Ogun state, it was difficult. We were paid N5000 a week.

“At that point, life was hard, I remember I only had one Nike shoe and it was fake. So, one promise I made to myself was that when I finally blow, I’ll always buy shoes.

“So, these days, when I’m down, I just step out to buy shoes. Life was more difficult than failing an exam or owing school fees.

“There was a particular time this happened to me. I’ll just say when a child is owing school fees, don’t call the child out. Just tell the child not to go to school.

“Don’t flog kids for owing school fees, the child doesn’t have money. School owners should not embarrass a child for owing school fees.

“It was really embarrassing for me at the time because it affected my esteem at that point.”

Joeboy, whose real name is Akinfenwa Joseph, made his music incursion with the single ‘Baby’ under the platform of ‘Empawa Africa’, a record label owned by Mr Eazi, the musician who discovered him in 2017.

‘Sip (Alcohol)’, his 2021 hit track, has continued to enjoy massive airplay.