Ayra Starr Speaks On Growing Up With Nigeria’s Electricity Challenges

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Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr has opened up about how Nigeria’s inconsistent electricity supply shaped her childhood experience, saying the hardship helped build her resilience and outlook on life.

The “Rush” crooner shared her story while speaking at the Global Citizen NOW summit in New York City, where she joined a discussion on equitable energy access. She was interviewed by broadcaster Zain Asher during the session.

Reflecting on her upbringing in Nigeria, Ayra Starr explained that growing up without stable electricity meant she had to adjust early in life to conditions many people outside the country may not easily understand.

“The experience for me definitely made me who I am today because I’ve had to find ways to do things. I had to do without the comfort of electricity and all of that,” she said.

She added that basic amenities such as fans or air conditioning would have significantly improved her comfort while growing up and even made school life easier.

“If I came back from school and I was able to have AC or even fan in the heat and do my assignments, that would have made a big difference,” she said.

The singer noted that power instability is a shared experience for many Nigerian children, describing it as a common part of everyday life.

“Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issues or not having to depend on electricity to do a lot of things,” she added.

Ayra Starr also recalled how power outages affected her family’s livelihood, especially her grandmother’s small business dealing in perishable goods.

“My grandma used to sell tomatoes and pepper and we would have to sell it quick because there was no light,” she said.

Speaking further, the singer highlighted how her exposure to discussions about renewable energy has grown since working with Global Citizen, admitting she previously had limited knowledge about global energy solutions.

“Before this, I didn’t really know much about global energy solutions, I’m not going to lie. But I’m learning so much and it’s so inspiring,” she said.

She expressed hope that young Africans would become more involved in finding sustainable solutions to energy problems across the continent.

“We are a lot of young people in Africa. They are very eager to work and change the continent for the better,” she noted.

Ayra Starr also encouraged innovation among young people, suggesting that exposure to conversations like the summit could inspire practical solutions in communities.

“A young girl can be watching this right now at home and it’s like, okay, let me try and find solar energy solutions for my country too,” she said.

In a previously recorded message played during the event, she also shared a personal memory of growing up with limited electricity access, recalling how she often waited for power to return just to watch television.

“I would have to wait until 6:00 p.m. for the power to come on so I could watch Hannah Montana,” she said.

She added that while her experience was challenging, she considered herself fortunate compared to many children across Africa who still lack access to electricity entirely.

“But even I was lucky. Some children in Africa have no access to light at all. No child should be left in the dark. They need light to walk, study, and practice. They need light to reach their dreams,” she said.

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