Nigerian event sensation Segun Johnson has candidly revealed that economic hardship, not passion, was the driving force that led him into music. Speaking during a new episode of The Teju Babyface Deep Dive released on April 25, 2025, the popular hype singer traced his journey to the biting struggles he faced while growing up.
When Teju Babyface asked whether music had always been his dream, Segun Johnson, without hesitation, responded in Yoruba: “Ebi ni, hunger ni” — translating to “It was hunger that led me.” His response quickly resonated with millions who have experienced Nigeria’s unrelenting economic challenges firsthand.
Born in Lagos, Johnson built a career singing at live events, weddings, and high-profile parties, crafting an energetic style that catapulted him to fame. His catchy anthems like ‘Sho Fine Gan’ and ‘Sho Ma Nawo Yen Tan’ became massive hits in 2022 and 2023, turning him into one of the most sought-after performers on the Nigerian party scene.
The 32-year-old singer emphasized that surviving Nigeria’s unstable economy leaves many young people with little choice but to pivot towards talents that can immediately generate income. “If you’re in Nigeria and you are hungry, you don’t have the luxury of waiting for destiny,” Johnson stated, pointing to his own experience hustling his way up from obscurity.
Since bursting into the limelight, Segun Johnson has performed at over 500 major events across Nigeria and West Africa between 2022 and 2025, earning a reputation as a must-have live performer for the country’s elite weddings and corporate parties. His viral performances regularly dominate Instagram and TikTok trends, further establishing his brand.
Teju Babyface, who anchored the session, praised Johnson’s tenacity, noting that his story mirrors the resilience of millions of young Nigerians finding hope and success amid staggering inflation, unemployment, and a cost of living crisis worsened since 2020. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 33.3% as of Q4 2024.
Segun Johnson’s story has now sparked conversations online about how economic adversity continues to shape the creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive of Nigeria’s youth — a narrative many believe deserves more national attention and policy action.
