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Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has opened up about his long and ongoing battle with sickle cell disease, a condition he has lived with since childhood.
The Ogaranya crooner made the revelation during a recent interview, where he spoke candidly about his experience living with the genetic disorder and the impact it has had on his life.
In the video shared on social media, the 38-year-old music star said he still suffers occasional sickle cell crises despite being on medication since he was a child.
“I still have crises,” Adekunle Gold admitted, describing the severe pain associated with the illness. He explained that he was diagnosed at an early age and has had to take lifelong medication, including folic acid and vitamin B complex, to manage his condition.
Recalling his early years, the singer revealed that his first major episode occurred when he was around five or seven years old.
“The first time I noticed that I had it was the night I fell sick and my dad wasn’t home. My mum put me on her back, and we walked miles to the hospital,” he said.
“That was when the doctor told me about it and that I would be taking folic acid and B complex for the rest of my life. That’s been my reality ever since.”
Adekunle Gold further revealed that growing up with sickle cell was a painful experience marked by frequent hospital visits and physical discomfort.
He recalled suffering severe pain in his joints, legs, and stomach during crises. “It’s really crazy,” he said, describing the episodes as moments of intense suffering that often left him weak and bedridden.
Despite the challenges, the High singer expressed gratitude for his current state of health, explaining that he now experiences fewer crises.
“I still have crises once in a while but not as bad as I had it when I was a child, maybe because I have found a way to take care of myself properly,” he said. “And I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that.”
Adekunle Gold also used the opportunity to advocate for greater awareness about sickle cell disease and the importance of genotype testing.
He emphasized that ignorance about genetic compatibility continues to contribute to the high rate of sickle cell births in Nigeria. “My vision is to make more noise about it because a lot of people don’t know about it, and the important organisations are not making so much moves regarding it,” he stated.
The singer noted that his case was a result of his parents being carriers of the sickle cell gene. “Unfortunately for me, my parents are sickle cell, and they brought me to the world.
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 because you should not bring many more kids that have sickle cell,” he cautioned.
Adekunle Gold’s revelation has sparked widespread admiration and sympathy from fans, who commended his courage for speaking up about his condition.
Many praised him for using his platform to raise awareness about genotype compatibility and the realities of living with sickle cell disease.
The award-winning artist, who has consistently inspired many through his music and personal story, continues to show strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
His openness about his health struggles adds a new layer to his public persona one defined not only by talent but also by perseverance and advocacy.
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