Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has opened up about his ongoing struggle with sickle cell disease, disclosing that he still experiences painful crises even after years of managing the condition.
The singer, who once dismissed rumours that he had undergone a bone marrow transplant, made this known during a recent interview currently making the rounds on social media.
Adekunle Gold shared that his health challenges started when he was just five years old. The 38-year-old father of one reflected on his journey, noting that although his condition has improved over time, there are still moments of intense pain.
He narrated how he first discovered the illness during a scary episode in his childhood.
“I still have crises,” Adekunle Gold said. “When we talk about crisis, it is pains on your joints, my legs, and sometimes my stomach. It’s really crazy.
The first time I noticed that I had it was the night I fell sick, and my mum had to carry me on her back for miles to the hospital.”
Despite everything, the “Orente” crooner expressed gratitude that his health is much better managed now. He attributed the improvement to taking better care of himself and having access to quality healthcare.
“I still have crises once in a while but not as bad as I had it when I was a child. Maybe because I’ve found a way to take care of myself properly. I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that,” he explained.
Adekunle Gold further stressed the need for Nigerians to know their genotype before marriage, noting that many still underestimate its importance.
“Knowing your genotype is very important. It’s sad that many people still don’t understand the risks. Unfortunately for me, my parents are both sickle cell and brought me into the world. That’s why I’m passionate about creating more awareness,” he added.
Watch the interview here
“I still have crises once in a while, but not as bad as I had it when I was a child…”
Adekunle Gold speaks candidly about living with sickle cell. pic.twitter.com/piMudobwGX
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 30, 2025
Read some comments below:
@damascots2014:”Any parent that births a sickle cell child in 2025 should be jailed”
@rotmantra:”If you think you’re gangsta, try dey with a sickle cell individual in their crisis, you would realise empathy is inbuilt, we only make it a choice.”
@Abimbolabadmu:”I thought he did bone marrow transplant???”
@kaiiyamatta:”Can u imagine u guys wanted them to not born adekunle gold, instead of fighting to empower people with sickle cell to live full lives”