Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has spoken candidly about his lifelong struggle with sickle cell disease, revealing that he still experiences painful crisis despite managing the condition for decades.
In a recent video interview shared on social media, the 38-year-old artiste reflected on his journey with the illness, recounting the painful episodes that began in childhood.
“I still have crises,” he said simply, describing how the disorder has shaped much of his life.
Adekunle Gold explained that he has been on medication since he was five years old, adding that the pain can be severe and unpredictable.
“I’ve been on lifelong medication since I was five,” he said. “The first time I heard of sickle cell was when I kept falling sick. My joints would hurt badly my legs, sometimes my stomach. It’s really crazy.”
The singer recalled a vivid childhood memory that marked the beginning of his awareness of the disease.
“One night, I fell sick and my dad wasn’t home. My mum carried me on her back and walked miles to the hospital. I must have been around five or seven. That was when the doctor explained sickle cell to me and told me I would be taking folic acid and B-complex for the rest of my life,” he recounted.
Although he still experiences crisis, Adekunle Gold said they have become more manageable over the years, thanks to better self-care and access to treatment.
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“I still have crisis once in a while, but not as bad as when I was a child,” he noted. “I think it’s because I’ve learnt how to take better care of myself. I’m also grateful to God for the resources that allow me to do that.”
Beyond sharing his story, the singer used the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of genotype testing, especially among intending couples.
“My vision is to make more noise about it because many people don’t really understand sickle cell. Even some relevant organisations aren’t doing enough,” he said.
“Sickle cell is common in Nigeria, and it happens when an SS matches another SS. That’s why knowing your genotype is very important to prevent bringing more children into the world to suffer what I have suffered.”