Nigerian music icon Eedris Abdulkareem delved into the inspiration behind his 2002 hit song “Mr. Lecturer” during Season 5, Episode 4 of the “Honest Bunch” podcast.
The song, known for its critical commentary on sexual harassment prevalent in Nigerian universities, was unveiled to be based on a real-life encounter the artist had during a campus tour at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Abdulkareem recounted how, while on a university campus tour following the release of his second studio album, he encountered a distressed girl who confided in him about a lecturer demanding sexual favors in exchange for grades. The singer advised her on a plan to expose the lecturer by having her meet him as planned while his team documented the encounter.
This real-life incident prompted Abdulkareem to compose “Mr. Lecturer,” a song that became one of the most impactful Nigerian hits of the early 2000s. The artist emphasized the urgency he felt after the encounter, stating that he went straight to the recording studio, skipping the next scheduled show.
The girl, now a practicing doctor in the United States, later expressed gratitude to Abdulkareem for “saving her life” in a heartfelt message. The undisclosed tape of the encounter, which was part of the plan to expose the lecturer, was revealed to have been destroyed by Abdulkareem four years ago.
In addition to sharing the backstory of “Mr. Lecturer,” Abdulkareem discussed various societal issues on the Honest Bunch podcast, including reflections on Nigeria’s economy, commentary on contemporary music artists such as Falz and Burna Boy, and expressing his views on the industry’s dynamics.
The “Honest Bunch” podcast, known for its blend of humor and candid discussions on serious issues, features four main personalities: Nedu, Husband material, Deity, Cole, and Ezinne. The episode sheds light on the genesis of one of Abdulkareem’s iconic songs and the impact it had on addressing academic sexual exploitation in Nigeria.
Watch the full episode here.