Nigerian star Patoranking draws on his childhood dreams to help African youth

CNN

12-03-2025

While fans worldwide know him for his chart-topping hits, behind the scenes, Nigerian Afro-dancehall artist Patoranking has set out to change the lives of one million young people by 2035.
Born Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, Patoranking rose from the slums of Ebute Metta, Lagos, to become one of Nigeria's most versatile and successful musicians. Blending reggae, dancehall and Afrobeats, he has captivated audiences globally. However, beyond his musical talents, Patoranking is working to uplift African youth.
'I've always had a picture of what my family and community should look like,' he told CNN.
'Coming from a place where the chances of making it were slim, I knew I had to step up — not just for myself but for those around me.'
Growing up in a slum, Patoranking faced harsh realities early on. His father, a 'petty trader,' struggled to make ends meet. Higher education seemed out of reach, so instead, Patoranking turned to his natural gift — music. 'I was influenced by the ghetto sounds of Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo, and Tuface. Music was a way to express the struggles of my people, and I wanted to be the voice of the voiceless,' he recalled.
His breakthrough came in 2013 when Nigerian singer Timaya took him under his wing collaborating on and releasing the hit track 'Alubarika' on Timaya's record label.
The following year, Patoranking's song 'Girlie O' earned him a spot on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart, as well as numerous awards.
Despite his meteoric rise, Patoranking never lost sight of his roots. In 2018, he launched the Patoranking Foundation, which aims to help one million youth with initiatives focused on education, sports and community development. 'One of the dreams I had growing up was to be a footballer,' he said. 'Since I couldn't achieve that, I want to create opportunities for others.'
As part of this vision, Patoranking is building sports facilities in underserved communities, providing safe spaces for young people to play, learn and connect. The first was in his hometown, Ebute Metta, an area historically plagued by gang clashes.
'This is a genuine sports center, and by the grace of God, we've been able to build something that unifies our people,' he said.
Over the next five years, Patoranking plans to build 100 such facilities across Africa, creating safe havens for young people in slums and marginalized communities. His foundation also supports education and vocational training.
'For me, philanthropy is personal. Before I became Patoranking, I prayed to God, saying, 'If you put me in a position to make money, I want to touch lives,'' he said.
While the singer's initial aspirations to become a professional footballer led him to build community soccer fields, it was his passion for technology and the financial barriers he faced in pursuing an education that drove him to make his biggest philanthropic investment.
'I've always wanted to become an information technologist, but my parents were not financially able to send me to university,' he said.
He launched the Sky Level Initiative to provide access to advanced technology training and education for 170 children in Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria. In partnership with the African Leadership University (ALU), one of the continent's leading tech and skills training institutions, in 2020 Patoranking launched a scholarship to help young people further their careers in tech and entrepreneurship.
The program began with 10 scholars, and this year, the Patoranking Foundation invested $500,000 more into the program, allowing 40 additional scholars to alleviate the financial burden of pursuing their dreams. 'Being a Patoranking Scholar gave me the opportunity to focus on what I want to do for my country and my continent,' Hardness Range, a 2024 graduate of ALU told CNN.
Fred Swaniker, founder of the ALU, said the scholarship 'Creates tremendous opportunities, because young people tend to be more creative, more entrepreneurial, hungry, and passionate. I believe that many of the world's problems will be solved by harnessing the power of African youth.'
Last year, Patoranking was appointed UN Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, tasked with championing youth innovation and enterprise development. As he continues to break boundaries in the music industry and beyond, he remains optimistic about the future of the next generation.
'Anything they want to achieve is achievable,' he said.