Jay on-air recalls selling ‘okrika’ before fame

By Aderinola Abimbola

Nigerian media personality Joseph Onaolapo, also known as Jay On-air, has recounted his experience with selling thrfted wears and how covid affected his life.

In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Jay On-air revealed that he quit his corporate job because he felt undervalued and was being owed salaries.

He stated that he had relocated to Lagos from Benin with high hopes but was humbled by unpaid wages.

“I want to roll with the big boys and big girls and all of that. I came to Lagos from Benin. In two seconds, they were employing me. I sent my CV to every radio station. Every radio station. Nothing happened. I found a way to work with an online radio station. It did not quite pan out like I wanted. That’s how I got into the corporate world. Worked as an executive assistant. Worked as a communication executive. Was owed salaries a lot. I was treated like I was not worth anything. That all just crippled me. And then, eventually, I left the job. And I started a business,” he said.

Jay On-air also recalled how he sold thrift wears just to make ends meet and survive. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic however changed the course of his life.

“And COVID-19 hit. I am like, oh my God. The business just, well, because it’s buying clothes,” he said. I was selling Okrika by the way. And it was becoming a thriving business. I was becoming the shorts guy. People would come to me to buy shorts. I tried. This one was actually starting to work. It was starting to work. I remember, I am a big fan of Waje. And I remember she was having a concert at the time. And I could afford it. Right. To use this money. So it was such a big deal to me,” he said.

The popular content creator known for creating characters like ‘the finished man’ and so many others said he stumbled on TikTok and content creation by luck.

“And COVID-19 hit. Yeah. And everything just. Silent. Became silent. I was home. I didn’t have a job. Nothing was working for me. And then people were on TikTok, and I was just like, what is happening here?. And that is how I, you know, got on TikTok. Live syncing sounds. Just to have fun. And that’s why I love creating so much. Because when I was depressed. When I was sad. I wake up in the morning and I have my bath. I have my shower. And i would be on TikTok. How many sounds can I create in one hour? How quickly can I live sync sounds,” he said.