“I had uncles that travelled to flog me”– Layi Wasabi

Renowned Nigerian comedian and actor, Isaac Olayiwola, popularly known as Layi Wasabi, shared a personal anecdote about his childhood experiences with physical discipline. On the ’90s Baby podcast, the AMVCA award winner revealed that his uncles would often mete out physical punishment as a means of correction.

Layi Wasabi’s account highlights the strict upbringing he experienced, where academic performance was highly valued and any shortcomings were addressed with physical discipline.

“At the time, I passed biology, chemistry but I failed physics. And I had stronger subjects in the art department so it was recommended that I did art. So my mum was upset I wasn’t taking school seriously.

“She called one of my uncles, he said don’t worry I’ll be in Oshogbo tomorrow. I was the one that opened the gate for him, assisted him to carry his luggage from his car.

“And he sat down, drank water and said bring you report card. He went through all the courses and said, ‘You failed physics, you didn’t do well in mathematics. Lie down there.’ And I knew what my fate was then.”