Nigerian singer Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, popularly known as Oxlade, has opened up about the reason he dropped out of Lagos State University (LASU) during his final year.
In a recent podcast appearance, the Afrobeat sensation shared that his decision was driven by safety concerns.
Oxlade revealed that he became a target of gangs due to his appearance.
“I dropped out of the university in my final year because it was a crazy time. There were some gangs after me because I’m a fine boy. Being a fine boy makes you a target. It’s either you join them or they off you. So I had to leave that environment,” he explained.
Reflecting on his time at LASU, the singer noted that the school environment has since changed. “Now, they’re more focused on academics. .
I think they’ve realized how fragile life is and how important it is to pursue your dreams, so they’ve cracked down on that kind of behavior,” he said.
After leaving school, Oxlade felt immense pressure and ran away from home, fearing his family wouldn’t understand his reasons for dropping out.
“I couldn’t tell my family why I dropped out. They would just think I was making excuses. It felt like I let my family and my grandma down,” he said.
However, his concerns turned out to be unfounded when his grandmother received him with unexpected calmness, easing the self-imposed pressure he had been carrying.
Oxlade’s candid account sheds light on the challenges he faced during his university days and how they shaped his journey.
