A TikTok video by Legit.ng features the mother of Afrobeats sensation Asake explaining the singer’s early career struggles and a pivotal decision to stay in Nigeria. She revealed that Asake had a “life-changing” offer to relocate to the UK years ago, even going as far as securing his passport, but he ultimately rejected it to focus on his education at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
The revelation has touched fans, as it highlights the “Sungba” crooner’s dedication to his roots before his global explosion. His mother noted that while the family initially had concerns about his music career—leading him to leave home at age 15—his insistence on finishing his degree in Dramatic Arts at OAU provided the foundation for his current stagecraft and theatrical performances.
* The Punch (National Daily): “I left home at 15 after my father opposed my music career, but I knew I had to find my own path.”
* Vanguard News: “Asake’s success is a testament to the ‘OAU culture’ of arts and resilience that he chose over an early exit to the UK.”
This backstory adds a layer of “pre-destined” success to Asake’s persona. In an era where “Japa” (emigrating) is the dream of many Nigerian youths, Asake’s choice to stay and refine his craft locally serves as a powerful narrative for the “Street-Pop” movement. It also explains why his music feels so deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience despite his international fame.
Source: Legit.ng — https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1701930-asake-mother-shares-rejected-life-changing-uk-offer-oau-i-passport/March 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Legit.ng
