Jeremiah Abiola Fasipe is the former Student Union President of Sheffield Hallam University and the founder and President of the Jeremiah Abiola Health and Community Development Foundation. Abiola has overcome many challenges to get to where he is today. As he looks forward to his upcoming event, Abiola Live in Sheffield, he shares his experiences, struggles, and dreams with MICHAEL KOLAWOLE. Enjoy the excerpts
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, the event, and your journey into organising it?My name is Jeremiah Abiola Fasipe. I am the former Student Union President of Sheffield Hallam University, founder and President of the Jeremiah Abiola Health and Community Development Foundation—a registered charity in Nigeria committed to transforming lives, breaking cycles of hardship, and building stronger communities—and an Inspirational Award winner. I am also a polyglot, fashion designer, visual artist, and musical artist.
’Abiola Live in Sheffield’ is more than just a music show; it is a celebration of diversity and passion featuring songs in Hindi, Igbo, Yoruba, and French, alongside dance and spoken word performances.
During the event, we will showcase the work of my charity organisation on screen to highlight what we have achieved so far and to invite the audience to donate to kidney patients via a GoFundMe campaign. One of my primary goals in sharing this work is to build momentum toward registering a charity organisation here in the UK.
I will be performing a mix of my own original songs and covers, joined on stage by Indian artists and dancers.
My journey into organising this multifaceted event has not been a bed of roses. It has required immense courage, determination, and unshakeable self-belief. As an upcoming artist, I’ve had to face many challenges alone. It is difficult to find people who truly believe in your vision, especially when people are busy with their own jobs and cannot assist unless they are paid. Ticket sales have also been slow, which is typical for a debut event.
What keeps you going despite the challenges?
Nothing great comes easy. Gold must pass through fire to be refined, and diamonds are formed under pressure. Facing difficulties is normal—no pain, no gain.
In order to achieve my greater dreams, I must accomplish today’s goals first; every hurdle is a stepping stone to bigger things. I dream of empowering many people through free vocational skills training, so whenever I face setbacks, I remind myself that overcoming them is necessary to build the resilience needed for the future.
What does ABIOLA Live mean to you personally? Why did you choose Sheffield as the host city—does it have a personal or emotional significance for you?
’Abiola Live in Sheffield’ is far more than an event to me—it is the realisation of a dream.
Sheffield is a vibrant, culturally rich city, and it’s where I learned Hindi and other languages. Having served as Student Union President, I built strong connections and established a name for myself here through my work and creative skills. Hosting my first major event in Sheffield felt natural, though I look forward to bringing it to other cities in the future.
Who were the key people who supported you on this journey? How have your family, friends, and community reacted to you putting this together? What should your fans look out for at the event?
My aunt, my cousins, and a few close friends have been my primary supporters. Their response has been overwhelmingly positive. While initial ticket sales have been lower than hoped, bringing this vision to life matters far more to me than the numbers.
My fans can look forward to a spectacular, glamorous, and truly memorable experience. I am committed to quality and haven’t hesitated to invest significantly in this event to ensure it is the absolute best it can be.
What is your advice for other people, especially immigrants, planning to organise similar events?
You must be strong in heart and mind. It is very easy to abandon your creative dreams as an immigrant because financial pressure is immediate—the bills keep coming, and they won’t wait for you to build a business from scratch. As a result, many people take on long shifts to cover basic living expenses, setting their true ambitions aside.
You have to be deeply passionate about what you are building, because entering this space often means absorbing losses until you gain momentum. That is a sacrifice many are unwilling to make, but persistence is key.
