Meet Abiodun Koya

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abiodun Koya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abiodun below.

Hi Abiodun, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence, for me, did not appear suddenly; it was formed in the quiet moments of surrender, reflection, analysis and self-discovery. I believe true confidence is not the absence of fear, but the steady awareness of divine purpose and presence in my life that overrides it.

My self-esteem grew as I began to understand that I am not merely a performer, but a vessel ; an instrument through which something higher expresses itself. So when I sing or create, I am reminded that every note, every word, and every gesture is a sacred offering. This realization gave me a deep sense of peace, confidence and belonging.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a classical singer, poet, and humanitarian whose work bridges art, spirit, and purpose. Through music, I seek to awaken beauty, hope, and dignity in the hearts of those who listen. My journey began in Nigeria and has taken me to stages around the world: from the White House to royal palaces but the true stage for me has always been the human soul.

What excites me most about my work is that it allows me to serve; to use art as a form of healing and inspiration. Whether I’m performing an aria, composing a love song in Yoruba, or mentoring young musicians through my non-profit, the CLEF Foundation, my heart is always centered on the idea that music is a divine language that connects us all.

My brand and artistic vision are deeply rooted in African elegance and spirituality. I am passionate about redefining how the world sees African excellence- through fashion, music, and storytelling, all wrapped in grace and authenticity.

This year is particularly special because I am celebrating my 20th anniversary on stage with a grand black-tie classical concert in Lagos this December. It’s not just a performance; it’s a homecoming, a spiritual thanksgiving, and a celebration of 45 years on planet earth and two decades of divine purpose in music.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I would say the three most impactful qualities on my journey have been inner conviction, discipline, and emotional intelligence.

Inner conviction gave me the courage to begin, and the strength to continue when there was no applause, no spotlight, only the quiet awareness that my purpose mattered. It anchored me when doors closed and reminded me that delay is not denial, it is preparation to strength and greater heights in progress.

Discipline was the bridge between my dreams and my reality. Talent is a gift, but discipline turns it into legacy and gold. The hours of practice, the humility to keep learning (even after ascending and conquering great heights), and the consistency to show up even when unseen these are the silent architects of greatness.

And emotional intelligence, learning to be diplomatic, navigate people, energy, and seasons with grace, has been the wisdom that keeps me steady. It teaches you to be intuitive, to listen deeply, understand, forgive quickly, and move forward with love.

For those beginning their journey, my advice is simple: DEVELOP your inner world as much as your outer skill. Nurture your conviction, intuition, stay teachable, and guard your peace. Success built on soul-work endures far longer than success built on fleeting hits, accolades and praises.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I’ve been blessed with many guiding lights along my journey, but if I were to name the greatest source of strength and inspiration, it would be my parents and a few remarkable mentors who saw my potential long before I fully did.

My mother’s quiet resilience and my father’s discipline shaped my foundation. From an early age, they taught me the power of excellence, humility, godliness and perseverance. Not through long speeches, but through how they lived their lives.

Along the way, I’ve also had extraordinary teachers, mentors, supporters, artists, and spiritual guides who refined not just my voice, but my mind and character. They reminded me that artistry is not just about performance but it’s about becoming a vessel for truth, beauty, joy and purpose.

But beyond individuals, I’ve learned by myself to draw wisdom from life itself, every experience, every disappointment, and every triumph has been a mentor in disguise. Growth often arrives wrapped in silence and painful challenge, but it leaves behind strength, wisdom, confidence, and greater capacity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photographer: Donald Starks
Make up artist: Nikolas Belauskas
Celebrity stylist: Orlando Cueva

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