10 Flourishing Nigerian who are not University Graduates

10 Flourishing Nigerian Celebrities Who Are Not University Graduates

by Anita Oguni

 

A university  is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which grants academic degrees in various academic disciplines. Universities typically provide undergraduate education and postgraduate education.

Although bagging a university degree is important, some folks who do not have university degrees have soared in their careers.

Stargist.com presents you with 10 successful Nigerian celebrities who did not complete their University education.

1. Tuface Idibia

Innocent Idibia was born in Jos, Nigeria. He is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State, in central Nigeria. He attended Saint Gabriela’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. He enrolled at Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in business administration and management.

While attending IMT, he performed at school organised shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science & Technology. He also composed songs and  jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996. He eventually dropped out to pursue his music career.

2. Genevieve Nnaji

Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, the fourth of eight children and was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a nursery teacher. She attended Methodist Girls College (Yaba, Lagos), before transferring into the University of Lagos.

She gained admission into the University of Lagos and dropped out after getting her first role.

3. Don Jazzy

Don Jazzy whose real name is Michael Ajereh was born in Lagos State. His family lived in Ajegunle, Lagos where he was raised. He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos.

Don Jazzy found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar.

He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments.He  enrolled in business management studies at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state but dropped out in his first year.

4. Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Okojie hails from Okene in Kogi State. Born in Lagos to a former naval officer, Mr Daniel Johnson and Mrs Elizabeth Johnson, she is the fourth child in a family of seven.

Right after her secondary education, she auditioned for a role in The Maid, a movie that was to launch her into stardom. Her outstanding performance in that movie paved the way for her into getting more roles in movies such as Hustlers, Baby Oku in America, War in the Palace, and many more.

The curvy actress has never had a university education.

She once revealed she got into the Nigerian movie industry because she failed the university entrance exams (JAMB) several times.

5. D’banj

 

D’banj who just welcomed a son with his wife, Didi Kilgrow  has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards.

He reportedly dropped out of school when he was in 300 Level while studying Mechanical Engineering.

6. 9ice

9ice attended Abule Okuta Primary School and CMS Grammar School, and dropped out from his law course at the Lagos State University to concentrate on music. He grew up in a polygamous home of five wives and nine children. His parents found about his singing career a year after it started around 2000. Before then, 9ice wrote his own songs, beginning at age 14.

As a big fan of Pasuma Wonder, he kick-started his singing career with Fuji music. He derives his inspiration from his environment, and music from the likes of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé, Tatalo Alamu, the late Alhaji Ayinla Omowura, and the late Alhaji Haruna Ishola.

7. Ramsey Nouah

Nouah was born in Edo State to an Israeli father and a Yoruba mother who hails from Owo, Ondo State. He grew up in Surulere, Lagos, where he attended Atara Primary School and Community Grammar School. He obtained a diploma in mass communications at the University of Lagos, after which he pursued a career in acting.

He is married to Emelia Philips-Nouah. The couple have two sons and a daughter, named as Quincy, Camil Nouah and Desiree Nouah.

8. Wizkid

Wizkid was born on 16 July 1990 in Surulere, a residential and commercial area of Lagos. He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian and his father practiced Islam.

In a 2012 radio interview with Tim Westwood, he said that his father has three wives. During his upbringing, he listened to songs recorded by King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley.Wizkid started singing at age 11 and went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006.

He dropped out of Lead City University in his second year.

9. Bisola

Bisola Aiyeola who was one of the popular housemates of the Big Brother Naija Show and well known for her short comic videos on Instagram is not a university graduate.

The talented lady disclosed this while she was still in the Big Brother Naija house, although she mentioned that she would love to go to the University.

Bisola is also a mother of one and a fast-rising Nollywood actress.

10. Chidinma Ekile

Chidinma Ekile, the sixth of seven children, was born in Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos State. Both of her parents are from Imo State. She worked as a business promoter in Lagos prior to auditioning for the third season of Project Fame West Africa. Chidinma started singing at the age of 6, and grew up with a disciplinarian father.

When she was 10 years old, she joined her church’s choir. She attended primary and secondary school in Ketu prior to relocating to Ikorodu with her family.  She initially wanted to study mass communication. Chidinma initially declined her admission into the University of Lagos due to her advancement in the aforesaid competition.

In an interview with YNaija, Chidinma said that she has always taken school seriously and her decision to enroll at Unilag was inevitable.