Electricity Would Have Changed Everything – Ayra Starr Opens Up On Her Nigerian Journey

According to Ireporter Online, Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has reflected on how unstable electricity supply in Nigeria significantly shaped her upbringing and early life experiences.

Speaking at the Global Citizen NOW event held in New York, the award-winning artist shared that many Nigerian children, including herself, grew up facing persistent power shortages, which affected daily living and development.

She recalled her early years assisting her grandmother in selling tomatoes and pepper, noting that the absence of electricity meant goods had to be sold quickly to avoid spoilage, a situation that directly impacted their income and livelihood.

Ayra Starr further explained that the lack of stable power made studying at home challenging, especially during hot weather when basic comforts such as fans or air conditioning were unavailable.

In her view, access to reliable electricity would have greatly improved her learning environment and overall childhood experience.

The singer used the platform to call on African leaders to prioritize solving electricity challenges across the continent, stressing that stable power is essential for children’s growth and development.

She said the experience of growing up under such conditions helped build her resilience and creativity, adding that adapting to hardship became part of her everyday life.