Nigerian music star Ayra Starr has shared emotional memories of growing up without firm electricity, revealing how the experience shaped her resilience and determination from an early age.
The Afrobeats singer spoke during the Global Citizen NOW event held in New York City while discussing equitable energy access with Zain Asher.
Reflecting on her childhood, Ayra Starr explained that her grandmother struggled to preserve goods because of the lack of electricity supply in Nigeria. According to the singer, tomatoes and pepper had to be sold quickly before they spoiled.
“My grandma used to sell tomatoes and pepper; we had to sell it quick because we didn’t have electricity to store them. I had to find ways to do what I had to do,” she said.
The singer noted that growing up without steady power supply forced her to adapt to difficult conditions and become resourceful at a young age. She added that having basic comforts such as a fan or air conditioning could have made school life and studying much easier.
Ayra Starr explained that many Nigerian children can relate to the challenges of unreliable electricity, describing it as a common reality across the country.
“Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issues or not having to depend on electricity to do a lot of things,” she stated.
The music star also admitted that before attending the event, she had limited knowledge about global energy solutions. However, she described the discussion as inspiring and educational, especially for young Africans who are eager to contribute positively to the continent’s development.
According to her, young people across Africa are determined to work hard and create ce despite the challenges they face daily.
Ayra Starr has continued to gain international recognition not only for her music but also for speaking on issues affecting young Africans, including education, opportunities and access to basic infrastructure.
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