Veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, famously known as Charly Boy, says he has no regrets about charting an unconventional path in life, as he celebrates his 75th birthday.
In a candid interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the septuagenarian reflected on his journey—from abandoning the priesthood to rejecting a plum job arranged by his father, the late Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
“I only wanted to break out of my father’s shadow. I have no regrets. Life’s lessons made me stronger and fulfilled,” he stated.
Charly Boy, also called ‘Areafada’, said he deliberately chose music and activism over a privileged corporate life, a decision that caused a long-standing rift with his father.
“My father was a legal luminary, but I chose the streets. I embraced the struggle and paid the price,” he added.
The outspoken activist, known for his alternative lifestyle, revealed he turned down an offer from Mobil Oil after studying in the U.S., opting instead to fight for the masses.
“Even when bad things happened, I learned from them. That’s why I have no regrets,” he said.
On his 75th birthday, Charly Boy said he had no plans for a party, preferring a quiet day at home, taking calls and reading messages.
“I’m not about money or fame. I’m about contentment, simplicity, and values my father instilled in me,” he shared.
Charly Boy also announced plans to release his memoir titled “999”, a no-holds-barred story of his life—his personal battles, family conflicts, and marrying four times before age 36.
A former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria and host of The Charly Boy Show, he remains one of Nigeria’s most fearless voices. From protesting military pension delays in the ’90s to leading the ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ movement in 2017, Charly Boy has consistently stood up for ordinary Nigerians.
“I thank God I’m still here. It’s been a long, wild ride—and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he concluded.
