Oxlade's Battle With Cultists Made Him Drop Out Of University

[Oxlade/Pan African Music]

Written by Pharis Kinyua

In the realm of Nigerian music, where stars are born and dreams are pursued with unwavering determination, a revelation from the rising star, Oxlade, shines a spotlight on a chapter of his life that remained shrouded in silence until now. The singer, whose real name is Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, recently disclosed a remarkable yet harrowing twist in his journey - he dropped out of Lagos State University (LASU) in his final year because the looming presence of cultists posed a grave threat.

This startling revelation came to light during a candid interview on the "Tea with Tay Podcast." Oxlade opened up about a tumultuous period during his university days, a time when he was dedicated to his studies and found solace within the embrace of the church. He was diligently immersed in reading his Bible and expanding his knowledge through books, fully devoted to his academic pursuits.

However, as the singer recounted, he was ultimately compelled to make the painful decision to leave the university because of the persistent and menacing presence of cultists. "During my university days, I was always in the church reading the Bible and books," he began, "Then I dropped out in my final year. I've never said this before. I dropped out when some boys were trying to make me join a gang."

Oxlade's narrative takes a darker turn as he reveals that the cultists were relentless in their efforts to coerce him into their fold. They persistently pursued him, attempting to sway him into a perilous path. It was only through a stroke of providence and the vigilant eye of his beloved grandmother that he escaped their clutches.

He recounted the pivotal moment when his grandmother, sensing the impending danger, urgently called him and directed him to return to their family home in Ibadan. It was a directive he followed without fully comprehending the gravity of the threat that loomed. Shortly after he left LASU, the cultists descended upon his hostel in search of him, only to unleash their violence on his unsuspecting roommates, inflicting severe injuries.

"One day, my grandma called me asking where I was. I said I was on campus, and she said I should start coming to our family home in Ibadan. I went to Ibadan. That day, those boys almost killed my roommates," Oxlade revealed with a sense of gratitude for his grandmother's intuition. Her inexplicable knowingness saved him from a grim fate.

With genuine appreciation, he emphasized the importance of his grandmother's presence in his life. "That's why I appreciate my grandma's importance in my life," he expressed. "Forget all these things we say we dey do, God dey, truly, there's God. And I'm saying this with my full chest, God has saved me countless times. That's why I could come back twice as tall, just as Burna Boy called it."

His grandmother's wisdom and timely intervention turned out to be a lifeline for Oxlade, as his roommates bore the brunt of the cultists' fury in his absence. It was a chilling reminder of how close he had come to potential catastrophe, and the ordeal marked the end of his journey at LASU.

His revelation serves as a testament to the unpredictable and often tumultuous journeys that aspiring artists navigate on their paths to success. It is a reminder that the pursuit of one's dreams can be fraught with unexpected challenges and the need to make difficult choices to preserve one's well-being.

As Oxlade continues to ascend in the world of music, his story of resilience and courage in the face of adversity adds depth to his narrative. He is not only a talented musician but also a testament to the strength of the human spirit when faced with adversity. His journey serves as an inspiration for all those who dare to follow their dreams, regardless of the obstacles that may stand in their way