Blindness is in the mind: Keyboardist Olatunji Ajibola on overcoming adversity

Olatunji Ajibola, a professional keyboardist, producer, and singer, lost his sight at the age of 10. Despite this profound challenge, he taught himself to play the keyboard and built a successful career in music, driven by a deep-seated passion and a belief that disability should never define a person.

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Blindness, I feel, is in the mind.

Ajibola's journey began in Ogun State, Nigeria, where he attended the School for the Blind in Lagos. He later moved on to King's College. During his formative years, he realized that self-reliance was crucial, stating, "nobody is coming to help you." This realization, coupled with his innate love for music, propelled him forward. He started playing the drums at five and, after losing his sight, began teaching himself the keyboard, drawing on his exceptional listening skills.

"Blindness, I feel, is in the mind," Ajibola asserts. He views his visual impairment not as a limitation but as an experience that makes him a "mystery for everybody to study." While acknowledging that people often react with surprise or panic to his actions, he maintains a sense of calm, understanding that their perception is based on his lack of sight, which differs from their own experience.

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Everything you do amuses people. Sometimes, I’m the one going out, but people are the ones panicking. I always ask those panicking because I went out, “What’s happening? I’m just going out. I know that nothing is going to happen to me.”

His musical talent is rooted in a family tradition. His grandfather and father played the local conga, and his uncle, Adebayo Ajibola, known as Holy Malam, was a renowned drummer. Ajibola's own prowess on the drums, even at a young age, amazed older musicians. This rich musical background, combined with his personal resilience, has enabled him to forge a unique path in the music industry, proving that his vision extends far beyond what his eyes can see.

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nobody is coming to help you.