Nigerian music star Rema has revealed that he once secured admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) but chose not to enroll due to prolonged strike actions that disrupted Nigeria’s university system.
In an interview circulating online, the singer explained that he had planned to combine part‑time studies with his music career, but the industrial action forced him to reconsider.
“I got admission last year to the University of Lagos, but I bailed on it,” Rema said.
He explained that the decision was influenced by the nationwide strike, which brought academic activities in public universities to a standstill for several months.
“I bailed on it because they went on strike. In fact, all schools in Nigeria went on strike. They are back in business but it took like eight months. I wanted to really strategise how I was going to do part-time schooling and touring, but the whole strike just made it look awkward. It was like a glitch, so I just had to move on,” he stated.
Rema said he has no immediate plans to return to school, noting that the demands of his flourishing music career leave little room for academic pursuits.
“I’m going to pass on it because right now life is crazy, life is fast. Right now, full music. I told my mum, she’s fine with it and she travels with me too. She was in London with me, but it was quite cold; she had to run back home,” he added.
The “Calm Down” hitmaker has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the global music scene, with international tours and chart‑topping releases cementing his status as one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
“I got admission to study Creative Arts at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), but I bailed on it because they went on an eight-month strike. I had to pass on it and told my mom sorry” — Rema pic.twitter.com/1y0kCVvxo1
— carter🌚 (@carter8f) September 1, 2026 PAT/EB