Lagbaja’s ex-vocalist, Ego, opens up on challenges after exit from band

By Tosin Brown

Nigerian singer Nwakaego Ogbaro, also known as Ego, has shared the challenges she faced after leaving Lagbaja’s Africano band in 2007.

In a conversation on Chude Jideonwo’s podcast, Ego revealed that her departure was entirely her decision and not due to a fallout with Lagbaja.

“We did not fight; there were no issues. I believe in my instincts a lot, and at that time, they were telling me to move. In all honesty, I felt there was nothing more I could do to top what I had done at that time.

“So, I said it was time for me to move on. I knew what I wanted—a band of my own, to do my own thing, my own kind of music. That was it, and I went to him. We talked, and he was happy, though it was bittersweet. He said, ‘I knew you had this leadership quality. I knew you are one of those people who would end up having her own band,’ and he was very supportive,” she recalled.

Ego explained that after leaving the band, she missed the comfort of simply performing and getting paid.

“I wanted and craved that comfort where I didn’t have to make certain decisions, where all I needed to do was just sing, dance, and get my pay, where the responsibilities were just not mine. There were days I craved that because it was hard: you’re dealing with people from different backgrounds, and you have to make it work. There was a time I called [Lagbaja] and said I know I probably gave you a hard time, but now I understand what it means, and he said, ‘Okay.’ I said, ‘Ah, it’s not easy; it wasn’t easy.’

“So, there were days I felt like being part of a band again, just touring, being on the tour bus. There were days like that.”

The vocalist also dispelled speculations that she was ever romantically involved with Lagbaja.