Nigerian rapper Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf, popularly known as CDQ, has opened up about his decision to leave the banking sector and pursue a career in music.
The “Indomie” hitmaker revealed that he joined First City Monument Bank (FCMB) after completing his National Youth Service Corps programme, but eventually resigned because he felt unfulfilled in the corporate world.
Speaking during an interview with Faloh Frequency, CDQ said music had been his passion since childhood and that pursuing it eventually became more important to him.
According to the rapper, he had completed a degree in Economics at Lagos State University because of his late father’s wishes. He said his father had initially wanted him to study Economics, despite his own preference for Political Science.
CDQ recalled that he lost his father while he was in his second year at university, but decided to complete the course his father had wanted him to study as a way of honouring him.
He said his academic journey was initially difficult, revealing that he struggled with courses involving Mathematics and calculations and was nearly rusticated because of poor grades.
The rapper, however, said he later became more serious with his studies, enrolled in extra lessons and eventually improved his grade point average to a 2:1.
After completing his education and working at FCMB, CDQ said he eventually chose to leave the banking profession and pursue music because he wanted to find fulfilment.
“Music has been my love from childhood. I felt like, while working at the bank at the time, I wasn’t fulfilled. I felt like I needed fulfilment,” he said.
CDQ also rejected the idea that formal education is pointless, saying his university experience helped him develop skills that have assisted him in navigating life.
The rapper, who described his background as humble, said his experiences had taught him that people should constantly strive for growth.
“The goal in life is not to remain where you are,” he said.
