In a recent interview with Kiss FM in London, United Kingdom, Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, opened up about the challenges she faces as a Nigerian and a woman, describing the experience as “tough.” Despite the hardships, she emphasized the inherent blessings that come with being Nigerian, especially for women who embrace their talents and share them with the world.
Tems, who earned an Oscar nomination for her outstanding contributions to the music industry, delved into the complexities of being a Nigerian woman. She acknowledged the resilience required to navigate the challenges that come with the nationality, stating, “Being a Nigerian woman is a miracle. Because being a Nigerian, for anybody, is tough.”
However, Tems passionately expressed her belief that amidst the difficulties, there lies a unique honor in embracing one’s gifts and identity, being unapologetic about it, and sharing it with the world. She sees the ability to tap into one’s potential and take it to a global audience as a special privilege.
“I think if you can tap into your gifts and own who you are and be unapologetic about it, and take that to the world, that is an honour,” she shared, highlighting the transformative power of embracing individuality and showcasing it on a global stage.
In Tems’ view, Nigerian women hold a special place in her heart, and she considers them to be particularly blessed. While acknowledging that everyone is blessed in their unique way, she emphasized the distinctiveness and significance of Nigerian women, stating, “Nigerian women are very special to me. They are very dear to me, and I believe that it is such a huge blessing to be a Nigerian woman and to be living in this time.”
