Nigerian rapper Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, popularly known as Zlatan Ibile, has opened up about the struggles he faced during his school days, revealing that he once used his prize car to run cab rides just to afford food.
Speaking during a live session with content creator Shanks, the award-winning artiste recalled his difficult student life at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Zlatan said that after winning a brand-new car at the Airtel One Mic talent competition in 2014, he had no choice but to turn the prize into a means of survival.
“Back in school, when I didn’t have money for food, I’d wait till night and use the car I won that year to run cab from Abeokuta to Shagamu for ₦350,” he recounted.
The rapper, who recently released his new album Symbol of Hope, said that despite the recognition that came with winning the competition, he was still broke and struggling to make ends meet.
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“I was grateful for the car, but that was all I had. I had to hustle with it to survive,” he added.
Zlatan’s revelation has drawn praise from fans and fellow Nigerians, who commended his resilience, humility, and determination to succeed despite humble beginnings.
One former MAPOLY student confirmed the story, saying, “No be lie. Inside Mapoly that year.”
Another said, “E no lie, NNPC Abeokuta to Sagamu we gather dey together back then.”