Nigerian rapper YCee has spoken publicly about his long battle with bipolar disorder, revealing that he was diagnosed with the condition in 2020 while living in London.
The award-winning rapper said his experience with treatment exposed major challenges in Nigeria’s mental healthcare system, including a shortage of specialists and persistent stigma surrounding mental illness.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the 33-year-old artist, whose real name is Oludemilade Martin Alejo, explained that he spent time in and out of hospitals before doctors arrived at the correct diagnosis.
“I have been living with bipolar disorder since 2020. I was diagnosed in London because I was in London during that period, and I was in and out of hospital. I went through different diagnoses before we arrived at that.”
YCee says mental health support is limited in Nigeria
Reflecting on his journey, YCee said discussions about mental health were almost non-existent during his early years in Nigeria, making it difficult for many people to understand conditions such as bipolar disorder.
He compared the support available in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic with what he later experienced after returning to Nigeria for continued treatment.
According to him, the difference was significant, as mental health services were more accessible abroad.
He explained that finding adequate care in Nigeria proved difficult because there were not enough psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to meet the growing demand.
“I was supposed to continue treatment in Lagos, but that was where I saw how much of a challenge it is to deal with that kind of condition.
There was a lack of personnel. As at 2024, there was very little staffing within mental health; psychiatrists, psychologists, and people that are supposed to be servicing those fields.”
The rapper added that the shortage of specialists reflects wider problems affecting Nigeria’s healthcare sector, where access to quality medical care remains a challenge for many citizens.
Read Also: Why Rodiyah Omotoyosi Mikhail Call to Bar Appearance Is Making Headlines Across Nigeria
Rapper opens up about stigma and music career
Beyond the healthcare challenges, YCee said societal attitudes toward mental illness continue to discourage open conversations. According to him, many people wrongly believe depression and other mental health conditions only affect wealthy individuals.
“Where a lot of people believe that if you are depressed, it is a big man’s disease. There is a lot of stigma around it.”
He noted that speaking publicly about his diagnosis has attracted questions from people who wonder why he continues to discuss the issue.
However, he believes sharing his experience can help create awareness and encourage more conversations around mental health.
YCee also disclosed that bipolar disorder affected his music career, contributing to his prolonged absence from the industry.
He explained that his 2021 project, Love Drunk, did not receive the level of promotion it deserved because he was dealing with the effects of his condition at the time.
