Veteran Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, one half of the iconic duo P-Square, has spoken candidly about the toll that fame has taken on his life, despite once dreaming of stardom.
In a heartfelt interview with Naija FM, Okoye shared that after nearly three decades in the music industry, the glamour of celebrity life has been accompanied by a significant loss of personal freedom and privacy.
Reflecting on the irony of fame, Peter confessed, “Back then, we prayed so hard for this game. But now, at this point in my life, after being in the industry for three decades, I think it’s time to live my life.”
Peter Okoye, alongside his twin brother Paul, rose to prominence in the early 2000s as P-Square, a group that delivered numerous Afrobeats and R&B hits that helped shape the Nigerian music industry. Over the years, they have remained a cultural force, even through periods of separation and reunion.
However, beneath the surface of success lies a longing for the simplicity of a life unburdened by public attention. Okoye admitted that one of the things he misses most is the ability to perform everyday tasks—like buying food on the street—without fear of being mobbed by fans.
“There are some days that I’d be driving and I’d want to stop at the roadside and buy food like hot akara, but I’d have to send someone, to avoid being spotted. By the time the person goes, buys the snacks, and gets back, it’s no longer hot,” he lamented.
In an especially relatable moment, Okoye described his fondness for local street foods like akara bread and ABC bread, which he affectionately called “the best burger ever.” These simple pleasures, which once brought him joy, have now become nostalgic reminders of a life that fame has complicated.
Despite his immense popularity and career accomplishments, Peter’s remarks underscore a recurring theme in the lives of many celebrities—the loss of normalcy. He noted that while he still appreciates the lifestyle that fame has afforded him, the price has often been his privacy.
“I still like that life, but I miss privacy,” he concluded.
Peter Okoye’s revelation serves as a sobering reminder that celebrity status, while enviable on the surface, comes with emotional costs that can erode the joy of everyday life. His honesty opens up a broader conversation about the human side of fame and the importance of balancing public success with personal well-being.
