MI Abaga Recounts How He Was Chased Off 2008 Headies Red Carpet for Omotola

Nigerian rapper Jude MI Abaga has opened up about a humiliating moment early in his career, recalling how he was chased off the 2008 Headies Awards red carpet to make way for Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. Despite being a nominee for ‘Best Rap Single,’ event staff failed to recognize him and repeatedly pushed him aside. MI described watching Omotola take photos while he and his manager were moved from corner to corner. The setback didn’t stop him—MI later won the award that same night, marking the beginning of his rise to stardom.

“Nigeria Has Better Family Support System for Raising Kids” — MI Abaga Explains Why He Prefers Nigeria to the U.S.

Nigerian rapper Jude ‘MI’ Abaga has revealed why he would rather raise his future children in Nigeria than in the United States.

Speaking on the Japa Diaries podcast, the ‘One Naira’ crooner said Nigeria offers a stronger family support system, which makes parenting easier compared to the often demanding lifestyle in the U.S.

“There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system and because there’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents here,” MI said.

He added that while he and his wife, Eniola Mafe, have settled comfortably in the U.S., they still value the sense of community and family connection in Nigeria.

“Our family over here are all professionals. Sometimes you just find your nook in Nigeria. I think we’ve sort of found a space in Nigeria, but definitely, you want your kids to have a mixture of both,” he noted.

MI also hinted that he would like his children to spend their early years in Nigeria before possibly moving abroad later in life.

The rapper married Eniola Mafe in September 2022, a few months after their engagement. The couple is yet to have children.

“Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria: Citizens, Not Politicians, Hold the Power” — Experts Challenge Government at 31st Economic Summit

At the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja, top government officials, civil society leaders, and private sector experts united in a powerful call for citizen accountability, transparency, and participation in governance.

Moderated by Frank Aigbogun, Publisher and CEO of BusinessDay, the engaging panel featured Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Aisha Yesufu, activist and co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls; Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director of Enough Is Enough (EiE) Nigeria; Tola Adeyemi, CEO of KPMG West Africa; and rapper and entrepreneur MI Abaga (Jude Abaga).


Government Promises Measurable Accountability

Hadiza Bala Usman defended President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, revealing that the administration’s Citizen Delivery Tracker is now live — allowing Nigerians to monitor ministry performance in real time.

“Every appointee must show results. Governance is no longer about promises; it’s about measurable performance,” she said.

Aisha Yesufu Fires Back: “The Arrogance in Governance Is Sickening”

Activist Aisha Yesufu countered sharply, saying government rhetoric rarely reflects citizens’ lived realities.

“Which Nigeria is she talking about? The one where leaders act like emperors and arrest those who speak truth to power?”


She emphasized that trust cannot exist without humility, urging Nigerians to stop normalizing bad leadership.


Yemi Adamolekun: “Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport”

Yemi Adamolekun stressed that citizens must be part of the decision-making process, not just observers.

“It’s not enough to tweet outrage — we must vote, attend town halls, and demand transparency,” she said.


Corporate Insight: Trust Grows from Results

KPMG’s Tola Adeyemi argued that Nigeria’s trust deficit can only be fixed through consistent delivery and open communication.

“Citizens don’t want rehearsed talking points; they want sincerity and proof of progress,” he said.


MI Abaga: “Nigeria Must Stop Pretending”

Rapper and entrepreneur MI Abaga brought a cultural lens, describing the nation’s crisis of trust as “spiritual and systemic.”

> “We clap even when we know the truth. Integrity must start with us — from the top to the bottom,” he said.


Despite their differences, all panelists agreed that rebuilding trust requires partnership between citizens and the state — grounded in honesty, performance, and humility.