Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has spoken openly about his ongoing struggle with sickle cell disease, revealing that despite years of treatment, he still experiences occasional crises.
The singer, 38, said his journey with the condition began at a very young age, recalling nights of severe pain that often left him helpless.
Learning to live stronger
Adekunle Gold explained that his early experiences shaped his outlook on life and music.
He shared how his mother once carried him to the hospital on foot during a crisis, a moment that remains etched in his memory.
According to him, those difficult times taught him resilience and the importance of gratitude. “I still have crises once in a while but not as bad as when I was a child,” he said, adding that he is thankful for the resources that now help him manage the illness.
Advocacy for awareness
Beyond his personal journey, the singer urged Nigerians to take genotype testing seriously, warning against marriages between carriers of the sickle cell trait.
He expressed concern that not enough awareness is being created about the condition, even though Nigeria records a high number of cases.
“My vision is to make more noise about it,” he said, calling on health organisations to step up their advocacy and education efforts.
Watch the video below…
“I still have crises once in a while, but not as bad as I had it when I was a child…”
Adekunle Gold speaks candidly about living with sickle cell. pic.twitter.com/piMudobwGX
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 30, 2025
