The mother of Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has revealed how he abandoned his plans to pursue studies in the United Kingdom.
According to her, the singer chose to enroll at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
She shared the story on Korty EO’s YouTube podcast, revealing that she had already arranged funds and obtained an international passport for him to study abroad.
According to her, she was surprised when Asake insisted on attending OAU.
A family acquaintance, popular Yoruba actor Muyideen Oladapo, known as Lala, helped convince her and facilitated Asake’s admission to the university.
She admitted she was hesitant at first, unsure if she could manage his strong-willed personality, but agreed after Lala reassured her.
At OAU, Asake studied Performing Arts, a choice he later credited for shaping his creativity.
She said: “Because he was stubborn, I decided to gather money here and there and told him to go to the UK. I had gotten his international passport.
“So I was in my shop one day when he stormed in saying, ‘Iya Ahmed, they asked me to go to school, I want to go to school’.”
On the podcast, Asake also spoke about the meaning behind his nickname Giran, which translates to stubborn in Yoruba.
I got an international passport and wanted Asake to study in the UK, But he insisted he wanted to go to school in OAU- Asake’s Mum pic.twitter.com/Cpo1v0EDN1
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) March 18, 2026