Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr has spoken about how Nigeria’s unstable electricity supply had a significant impact on her upbringing and early life experiences.
The award-winning artist made the remarks while speaking at the Global Citizen NOW event held in New York, where she reflected on the broader effects of inadequate infrastructure on children across Africa.
Starr explained that growing up without reliable electricity affected both her education and her family’s economic activities, noting that everyday tasks often had to be adjusted due to power shortages.
She recalled assisting her grandmother in selling tomatoes and pepper, a process that required urgency because there was no refrigeration to preserve the goods.
“Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issues. My grandma used to sell tomatoes and pepper and I used to assist her. We had to sell it quickly because we didn’t have electricity to store them,” she said.
The singer added that the lack of basic amenities also shaped her resilience and creativity, as she often had to complete schoolwork under difficult conditions.
According to her, consistent electricity would have significantly improved her learning environment and overall childhood experience.
“Growing up, having electricity would have made a big difference. If I came back from school and I had AC or even a fan in the heat while doing my assignments, that would have made a big difference,” she noted.
Starr used the platform to call on African leaders to prioritize access to stable electricity and other essential infrastructure, stressing that every child deserves a supportive environment for proper development.
