On his 24th birthday, Olukayode Joshua Taiwo, the son of renowned Nigerian investigative journalist and chemist Kemi Olunloyo, offered a candid reflection on his journey through adversity, resilience, and independence since arriving in the United States a year ago.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, he revealed the emotional and physical challenges he’s faced in a new country, with no family or close friends to lean on.
“Happy Birthday to me and to being in America for 1 year already,” he began, striking a bittersweet tone that underscored the complexities of his life abroad. “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.”
For Olukayode, the decision to return to the United States wasn’t simply about a fresh start—it was a necessity.
After enduring years of emotional abuse and depression in Nigeria, primarily at the hands of extended family, he was compelled to seek an environment where he could rebuild his life.
The only familial support he had in Nigeria was from his mother, Kemi Olunloyo, a woman known for her outspoken personality and commitment to uncovering the truth. But despite her strength, even her presence couldn’t shelter Olukayode from the internal struggles he faced.
“Coming back to a country I haven’t lived in for 11 years all by myself to restart my life from all the abuse and depression I went through in Nigeria from my extended family,” he shared, adding that the journey has been far from easy.
“Being here alone with no support system has been hard. No parents, friends, or family to support [me], but I’ve made the most of it myself.”
Navigating life in the U.S. as a young adult with no safety net, Olukayode opened up about the hardships he’s endured, from homelessness and job instability to traumatic car accidents and theft.
“I’ve been homeless countless times, losing countless jobs, having accidents, and people stealing from me at my lowest,” he recounted.
These adversities, layered one atop the other, would have been enough to break even the most resilient, yet Olukayode continued to push forward, finding ways to survive.
“From being kicked out because it’s clear I wasn’t wanted there to staying with abusive people that treated me like a sub-human all in the name of that favour,” he shared, painting a vivid picture of the emotional and physical toll these experiences took on him.
He recalled a specific incident involving a car accident with a reckless driver, an event that not only deprived him of his first vehicle but also led him to court—a daunting experience for someone still adjusting to life in a foreign land.
Despite the unrelenting hardship, Olukayode juggled three jobs in his efforts to make ends meet and pursue his modelling aspirations, yet he confessed that these battles sometimes made him feel distanced from his faith. “Everything I went through made me stray a bit from God,” he admitted.
But as he penned these words on his 24th birthday, it was clear that he had come full circle, finding solace in sharing his story with those willing to listen and support him.
His message resonated deeply, capturing the realities that often remain hidden behind the curated snapshots of social media.
“People don’t see the struggle off social media; they just see the good moments,” he observed. With a dream of someday chronicling his journey in a book, Olukayode hoped that his story could inspire others navigating similar struggles to find strength and keep going.
“Hopefully, I can write a book on everything I experienced so far in America. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes, and cheers to 23,” he concluded, adding with a smile, “Lemme stop yapping now, just wanted to get that off my chest.”
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