Joseph Akinfenwa, a Nigerian artist known as Joeboy, has spoken about how his childhood troubles prompted him to start his foundation.
In November 2024, the singer established the Young Legend Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides scholarship grants to students who cannot afford to continue their study.
During a recent chat on the Backstage Banter podcast, Joeboy shared an embarrassing school memory where he was referred to as a “perpetual school fees debtor.”
The ‘Baby’ crooner disclosed that back in JSS 3, the school’s bursar would call out the names of students owing school fees, but his classmates would shout his name before the bursar even began.
“When I was younger, I used to owe school fees a lot. And it used to get very embarrassing. So, I was in JSS 3, there was a secretary or a bursar that announced the names of the people that used to owe school fees,” he said.
“Before she even started announcing, the whole class just started shouting ‘Akinfenwa Joseph’. It pained me. It hurt me so much that I went back home and told my parents I was not going to that school again.
“That I do not care. I pulled myself out that I was not going again. I said you will rather kill me.”
Joeboy revealed that the unpleasant experience fuelled his determination to assist others who cannot afford to pay their school fees.
“That actually gave me a dream. Which was like to help people that cannot afford to pay their school fees. That is the Young Legend Foundation. We opened it about two months ago,” he added.
Joeboy rose to prominence after signing with emPawa Africa, Mr Eazi’s musical company.
The singer’s debut album, ‘Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic’, was published in 2021. He has now become a well-known figure in the music industry.
He has also received numerous accolades and recognition for his profession. In 2019, he received the ‘Best Artiste in African Pop‘ award at the All Africa Music Awards.
