Modola Says She Left Home In Italy Secretly To Pursue Music Career In Nigeria

 Italian-based Nigerian singer-songwriter Modola has disclosed that she secretly left home to pursue her music career after her parents opposed her decision to enter the entertainment industry.

Speaking in an interview on 3Music TV’s Culture Daily show on Thursday, May 21, the singer said she packed her bags overnight and informed her father she was travelling to Nigeria to chase her dream.

“I didn’t tell them. I woke up one night, did my luggage,” she said.

According to Modola, a friend who was expected to pick her up changed their mind because it was late at night, forcing her to wake her father and ask him to take her to the airport.

“Good morning sir, please take me to the airport,” she recalled telling him.

The singer said her parents were shocked by the decision, but she remained determined to continue with her plans.

Modola explained that her parents initially did not want her to pursue music, but her father later encouraged her to succeed after realising she would not change her mind.

“My father called me after the family call like, ‘Don’t come back home. You better bring home that Grammy or don’t disgrace us,’” she said.

The singer said she has not returned home in nearly two years because she fears her family may try to stop her from continuing her journey.

“I’ve not gone back since then because they’re going to hold me tight,” she added.

She also spoke about adjusting to cultural differences after moving from Italy to Nigeria.

According to her, certain body language and gestures she used freely in Italy were interpreted differently in Nigeria, forcing her to adapt.

“Everything is different, so I have to learn to put my hands down,” she said.

The artist, who is currently promoting her song Kupe said the track has been receiving positive engagement online, including user-generated challenge videos on TikTok.

She added that she hopes to tour East Africa and expand her music career across the continent.

During the interview, Modola also named Ghanaian musicians Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy among the artistes she hopes to collaborate with in future.