Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has shared that she was admitted to university at the age of 14. She explained that her early enrollment was due to her mother’s insistence that she complete her degree before pursuing a music career, as she aspired to become a teenage pop star.

Starr revealed this during a recent interview with Billboard News, recounting how her mother encouraged their move from Benin Republic to Lagos, the hub of Nigeria’s music industry.

She emphasized her determination to achieve her musical ambitions at a young age, leading her to take her secondary school exams early. Despite not achieving exceptional results, she gained admission to a reputable university, where she studied International Relations for three years. Shortly after graduating, she began sharing music covers online, ultimately leading to her signing with Mavin Records label the same year.