8 Nigerian Celebrities Who Were Once Street Hawkers Before They Became Rich

1. Tope Alabi

Tope Alabi a.k.a ‘Ore ti o common’ is undoubtedly one of the most sought after gospel artistes in Nigeria. Her collaboration with TY Bello ‘Logan ti ode’ was an instant hit. However, her story has been that of grass to grace.

Here is what she said:

”Aside acting, I hawked raw eggs, rice, and stew before going to school in Ewutu. It was in Ibadan that I sold boiled egg.”

2. Mercy Johnson

Award-winning actress Mercy Johnson is known for her versatility and amazing acting prowess. She has attained great heights in her acting career.

But her journey has not always been rosy and smooth. The mother of three once hawked sachet water, lived in uncompleted buildings, but didn’t allow her humble background to deter her from rewriting her story.

3. Mercy Macjoe

Beneath the glamour and stardom that Mercy Macjoe enjoys today are scars that no one can seen The talented actress once sold oranges on the street for survival.

In her words:

"I didn’t have all the opportunities when I was growing up. I grew up with my mum. I lost my dad at a very young age so it was just my mum who took care of me and my other siblings. I am the sixth in a family of eight. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth; I had to do so many things to survive. I assisted my mum in her buying and selling business. I sold so many things with my mum. I remember selling oranges and some other things with my mum. I am proud to say it now because the story is different now. I hawked oranges and some other things, helping my mum and siblings to survive. I am always proud to say it because it was in the past and I can’t sell oranges now.”

4. Bisola Aiyeola

Bisola Aiyeola, the first runner-up of the 2017 BBNaija reality TV show once revealed that she had to hawk macaroni on the street. The multi -talented entertainer said the experience wasn’t a good one.

According to her:

"I hawked on the street it happened. What have I not sold? I have sold jewelleries, make-up etc. I actually sold macaroni in the traffic. I was 21 when it happened. It wasn’t a fun experience.”

5. Salle

This young girl warmed people’s hearts on social media with her sonorous voice. She was seen with an empty tray, sang like a professional singer, and got those capturing her on camera marveled after hopping on a beat for a freestyle.

Many internet users were impressed with her outstanding talent and they flooded the comment section of the post.

Her story transcended the shores of Nigeria to the extent that it was rumored that she was invited by Beyonce, the famous international singer.

6. Don Jazzy

Michael Collins also known as Don Jazzy is a famous singer and one of the biggest record producers in Nigeria. He is also famous for his comic lifestyle which has seen featured in many comedy videos.

The entertainment magnate recalled how he started from a humble beginning, adding that he once sold Nigerian snack popularly known as “akara”.

7. Biola Adebayo

She is gorgeous, famous, and super talented. Sharing her experience on social media, the Ph.D. holder revealed that she hawked on the street and bitterly lost 4 consecutive admissions because she couldn't afford to pay.

She added that she waited for 7 years to finally get admitted into the University. Today, she has acquired a Ph.D. and has become a household name.

8. Patoranking

Popular Handsome Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. He was Born on 27 May, 1990 and raised in Ijegun-Egba Satellite Town, Patoranking hails from Onicha, Ebonyi State.

He is a great and talented Singer with unique creative when you visit his Album, Patoranking is the toast of many in the society today, not only because of his talent but he successfully brought back a genre of music, reggae and dancehall, which was fast going into extinction in Nigeria.

So Going to Patoranking fame, his way to fame was not easy, he grew up in the slums of Ilaje, Ebute Meta, known as a Lagos suburb also in a one bedroom apartment which he also shared with his four siblings.

It was recorded that in February 2015, the well known singer Patoranking took to his instagram page to share his past story of his humble beginnings stating how he sold rat poisons in the Lagos State Traffic, also went over to been a bricklayer all in the name of making money so to help himself and family.

But today thanks to God as he has made it in life, also in 2014, he won the Headies Award as the ‘Next Rated Star.” Today, the dancehall singer Patoranking is one of Africa’s renowned artistes and he has collaborated with some international heavy weights like Elephantman, Sakordie and many more, he is well blessed and satisfied with his fame. He is really an example of Made from the Streets. See some of his recent photos below:

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