Nigerian rapper Lil Kesh has shed light on his personal battles with mental health, revealing in a 9am News report that he self-diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and grapples with anxiety.
In a candid interview on The Esther Show, the artist admitted he doesn’t like to box himself in with labels but has long experienced symptoms that extend beyond what many casually dismiss as simple hyperactivity.
“I diagnosed myself, but trust me, I know,” Lil Kesh said. “Everyone has a little of it in them, but it becomes a problem when it turns into a disorder. I’ve had my fair share since I was a child.”
He emphasized that while dealing with challenges can naturally bring anxiety, a lack of emotional clarity tends to amplify it for him.
“Once I know what I’m dealing with or what type of emotions I’m facing, then my problem is half solved and the anxiety goes away,” he explained. “Lack of clarity can cause anxiety for me.”
Despite being open about his struggles, Lil Kesh admitted he’s never undergone formal therapy due to deep-seated trust issues and what he perceives as substandard mental health services in Nigeria.
“When I needed it the most, I wasn’t privileged to get it,” he said, highlighting a broader issue of mental health infrastructure gaps in the country.
Beyond personal revelations, Lil Kesh also spoke on Nigeria’s larger systemic problems, stressing that governance and infrastructure weaknesses remain deeply rooted.
“Change in Nigeria is going to take years; it’s not happening anytime soon,” he warned, encouraging citizens to stay persistent in their push for progress while tempering expectations.
“The earlier we make peace with that, the better for us. The change we seek is not going to happen tomorrow. Nigerians are trying their best; we’re trying now,” he added.
Lil Kesh, who has spent time in the UK, contrasted the environments, pointing out that the UK’s structured governance and law enforcement foster a sense of order often missing in Nigeria.
“On the roads in Nigeria, everyone is mad. It’s lawless. Here in the UK, there are speed limits, restrictions… things work,” he observed.
His remarks have reignited conversations around mental health awareness and the urgent need for infrastructural reforms in Nigeria.
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