Ayra Starr discusses childhood impact of unstable power supply revealed as singer says unstable power supply shaped her upbringing and calls for better infrastructure in Africa

Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr has said that unstable electricity supply in Nigeria significantly shaped her childhood experiences, affecting her education, daily life and early family livelihood activities.

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Speaking at the Global Citizen NOW event in New York, Ayra Starr reflected on how inconsistent power supply influenced her upbringing and development.

The singer explained that limited access to electricity made basic tasks more challenging and forced families to adapt in difficult conditions.

“Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issues. My grandma used to sell tomatoes and pepper and I used to assist her. We had to sell it quickly because we didn’t have electricity to store them,” she said.

Ayra Starr added that the lack of stable power left a lasting impression on her resilience, noting that it shaped her ability to work through discomfort and limitations from an early age.

“The harsh experience made me who I am today. Because I had to find ways to do what I had to do without the comfort of electricity,” she said.

She further stressed that access to stable electricity would have significantly improved her childhood experience, particularly during school hours and study periods in extreme heat.

“Growing up, having electricity would have made a big difference. If I came back from school and I had AC or even a fan in the heat while doing my assignments, that would have made a big difference,” she added.

Impact of electricity challenges on Ayra Starr’s childhood comments came during a broader appeal to African leaders to prioritise reliable power supply and basic infrastructure across the continent.

The singer emphasised that every child deserves access to essential amenities that support learning, development and quality of life.

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Her remarks have since sparked renewed conversations around electricity challenges in Nigeria and the wider implications for education and youth development.