On his 24th birthday, writer Kemi Olunloyo’s son, Olukayode Joshua Taiwo, shared a heartfelt message on social media that revealed the hardships he has faced over the past year since relocating to the United States. What began as a celebration of his birthday quickly turned into a raw and emotional account of the personal challenges he has encountered during this pivotal time in his life.
In an open and candid post, Olukayode, who had been living in the U.S. for just one year, expressed how he felt as though his 20s were slipping away, and the pressure to succeed was weighing heavily on him. “Happy Birthday to me and to being in America for 1 year already. I’m getting closer to my mid-20s and it’s haunting me because I feel alone in this world and I feel like time is running out,” he wrote, adding a somber tone to what should have been a celebratory occasion.
He continued by reflecting on the emotional challenges he faced after returning to a country he hadn’t lived in for over a decade. “Coming back to a country I haven’t lived in for 11 years all by myself to restart my life from all the abuse and depression I went through in Nigeria from my extended family and only having my mom while I was there,” he shared. His words resonated with anyone who has ever had to rebuild their life after enduring emotional and psychological hardship.
The young man’s post painted a vivid picture of isolation, struggle, and perseverance. Olukayode went on to explain how he faced extreme adversity in the U.S. without a support system. “Being here alone with no support system has been hard. No parents, friends, or family to support, but I’ve made the most of it myself,” he said. His words reflect the deep loneliness that comes with being far from home and family while trying to make a fresh start.
His journey has been marked by hardships that many could not imagine. Olukayode shared the devastating experiences of homelessness, job loss, and personal setbacks that he endured during his time in America. “I’ve been homeless countless times, losing countless jobs, having accidents and people stealing from me at my lowest,” he revealed.
One of the most harrowing moments of his story was the car accident that cost him his first car. “Had a car accident and lost my first car to a reckless driver,” he recounted, noting the financial and emotional toll this took on him. “Had to go to court for the first time because I didn’t have insurance and I was a new driver,” he added, underlining the steep learning curve he faced in adapting to life in the U.S.
The struggles didn’t end there. Olukayode also described the emotional and physical abuse he experienced while staying with individuals who took advantage of his vulnerable situation. “I stayed with abusive people that treated me like a sub-human all in the name of that favor,” he wrote, a reflection of how people sometimes take advantage of others in need of help.
Despite the hardships, he found solace in his work and his aspirations. “I slept outside, slept in my car, all while working 3 jobs and trying to pursue a career in modeling,” he said, showing the resilience that has allowed him to keep pushing forward, even when the odds were stacked against him. His determination to pursue his dreams, despite overwhelming obstacles, is a testament to his character.
In the post, Olukayode also admitted that his struggles had led him to drift away from his faith. “Everything I went through made me stray a bit from God,” he confessed. However, he expressed hope that this chapter of his life would eventually lead to better days. “I’m writing this as something to look back on when everything eventually gets better,” he wrote, looking toward the future with a glimmer of optimism.
Before concluding his emotional post, Olukayode shared a message of gratitude for those who had reached out to him with birthday wishes. “Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and cheers to 23,” he wrote, offering a final note of appreciation for the support he has received. “Lemme stop yapping now, just wanted to get that off my chest,” he concluded, ending the heartfelt post with a sense of closure.
