Olukayode Joshua Taiwo, son of controversial writer Kemi Olunloyo, recently reflected on his personal struggles as he celebrated his 24th birthday.
In a heartfelt tribute, Kemi Olunloyo shared birthday wishes for her son, accompanying them with cherished photographs. While she expressed pride in his ambitions, Olukayode took to social media to reveal a more challenging narrative about his experiences over the past year since relocating to the United States.
In a candid post, Olukayode opened up about the difficulties he has encountered as he navigated life in a new country. He shared the emotional weight of feeling isolated and grappling with the stress of starting anew after facing challenges related to his upbringing in Nigeria.
“Happy Birthday to me and to being in America for 1 year already,” he wrote. “I’m getting closer to my mid-20s and it’s haunting me because I feel alone in this world and I feel like time is running out.”
Reflecting on his journey, Olukayode detailed his painful transition back to a country he hadn’t lived in for over a decade. He reminisced about the abuse and depression he experienced from his extended family in Nigeria, indicating that his mother was his only support during that time.
Describing his struggles in America, he said, “Being here alone with no support system has been hard. I’ve been homeless countless times, lost countless jobs, and faced theft during my lowest moments.” He recounted instances of being forced to leave places where he was not wanted and staying with individuals who treated him poorly.
In addition to the emotional toll, Olukayode faced practical challenges, including a car accident that resulted in the loss of his vehicle and navigating the legal system as a new driver without insurance. “I slept outside, slept in my car—all while working three jobs and trying to pursue a career in modeling,” he shared.
Despite the hardships, Olukayode expressed hope for the future and a desire to document his experiences in a book. “Everything I went through made me stray a bit from God, but I’m writing this as something to look back on when everything eventually gets better,” he said, emphasizing that social media often paints an incomplete picture of one’s life.
As he marked his birthday, he thanked those who reached out with well wishes and encouraged open conversations about the often unseen struggles individuals face. “Cheers to 23. I just wanted to get that off my chest,” he concluded.
