Nigerian artiste Oxlade has disclosed the circumstances that forced him to discontinue his education at Lagos State University in his last year.
In an appearance on the ’90s Baby Show podcast, Oxlade revealed that gang threats caused him to quit university.
The musician described the school scene as “crazy” and “hot” during his stay there, forcing LASU to later tighten down on similar activity.
He stated: “I dropped out of university in my last year because it was a crazy time.”There were some gangs after me because I am a good boy. Being a fine boy makes you a target. It’s either you join them or they kill you. So I had to leave that environment”.
“I attended Lagos State University (LASU).Go read about the school. They are now more academically focused. I believe they have understood how delicate life is and how vital it is to chase your aspirations, so they have cracked down on that type of activity. Everyone is now seeking money, but that was a hot period.”
Oxlade also discussed the emotional struggle of concealing the truth from his family.
“After leaving school, I ran away from home because I couldn’t explain to my family why I dropped out. They would not understand; they would assume I was making excuses. So I couldn’t return.
“ It felt like I let my family and grandmother down. The craziest aspect was that when my grandmother eventually saw me, she remained calm.
“All of the pressure I put on myself was just in my head,” he explained.
Final Thought
His reflection on the emotional toll and the pressure he felt from his family also speaks to a common dilemma many young people face balancing their personal struggles with familial expectations.
Oxlade’s fear of being misunderstood by his family highlights how difficult it can be to explain such complex situations to loved ones, especially in a culture where academic success is highly valued.
Moreover, his observation that LASU has since cracked down on such activities and become more academically focused suggests progress.
However, it also underscores the need for more systemic efforts to ensure that universities remain safe spaces for learning, free from violence and coercion.
