I still have crisis – Adekunle gold My battles with sickle cell, says Adekunle

Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has disclosed that he continues to experience sickle cell crisis, despite managing the condition since childhood.

In a recent interview with Nandoleaks, the award-winning artiste spoke candidly about living with the inherited blood disorder, revealing that he remains on lifelong medication to control the illness.

“I still have crises,” the 38-year-old singer said, recounting how his diagnosis was first made when he was a child.

“The first time I ever heard of sickle cell was when I used to fall sick every time — my joints would hurt, my legs, sometimes my stomach. One night, my dad wasn’t home, and my mum carried me on her back for miles to the hospital. That’s when the doctor told me I had sickle cell and that I would be taking folic acid and B complex for the rest of my life. And that’s my life — even till now,” he recalled.

Adekunle Gold also emphasized the need for Nigerians to know their genotypes before marriage, warning that ignorance about genetic compatibility contributes to new cases of sickle cell disease.

“Where sickle cell is most common is my country, Nigeria. It happens when an SS matches an SS. That’s why knowing your genotype is very important — so you don’t bring more kids into the world to suffer,” he said.

The singer, known for hits such as Orente and Something Different, added that he has learned to manage the condition better as an adult.

“I still have crises once in a while, but not as bad as when I was a child. Maybe because I’ve found a way to take care of myself properly. I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that,” he said.

Adekunle Gold’s openness adds to ongoing public conversations around genotype awareness and the need for improved support for people living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria.