Nigerian music video producer Femi Dapson has sparked conversation after reflecting on his childhood and explaining why he does not believe people struggling financially should necessarily surround themselves with others in the same situation.
Dapson recalled growing up in Iyana Paja, Lagos, where his father worked as a bus driver and the family often ate simple meals such as eba.
He said one experience during his childhood changed the way he viewed wealth and friendship.
According to Dapson, he once visited the home of a wealthy friend and was offered two slices of toast bread. He said he could not finish the bread because he was not accustomed to eating that way.
The experience, he recalled, made him realise that wealthy people could have very different lifestyles and habits from those he knew while growing up.
“I don’t believe broke people should be friends with each other,” Dapson was quoted as saying.
His comments have generated discussion about friendship, social circles and the influence of one's environment on personal ambition.
Dapson has previously spoken publicly about growing up with limited financial resources and deliberately trying to build relationships outside the poor neighbourhood where he was raised. In a 2023 interview, he discussed his difficult beginnings and his determination to change his circumstances.
The producer has since built a successful career in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, working on music videos for some of the country’s biggest artists. His production credits include Rema’s “Calm Down,” Asake’s “Wave” featuring Central Cee and projects involving Burna Boy and Davido.
Dapson’s latest reflection has therefore renewed conversations about whether people should intentionally build friendships with individuals who are ahead of them financially or professionally, and whether one's social environment can influence ambition and future success.
While some may interpret his remarks as a call to avoid poor people, his story also reflects his personal experience of growing up with financial limitations and his belief that exposure to different environments can shape one's aspirations.
