I lost sleep after someone gifted me my first N1m – Timi Dakolo

Timi Dakolo, a popular singer and songwriter, has revealed how he earned his first N1 million.

Dakolo revealed in a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo that his first N1 million was a gift from a “good Samaritan” who saw him on television while competing in the inaugural Idols West Africa in 2007.

He said that the enormous gift caused him to lose sleep and altered his diction.

Dakolo said, “There was somebody that gave me N1m from nowhere. I had never seen N10,000 before. The money I used to have then was always N1,300, N800, N1,200, and N520. And somebody gave me N1m cash. He came to the hotel and gave me N1m. He said he doesn’t watch TV but he saw me on TV and he felt he should give me N1m.

“I saw N1m, I could not sleep. I was looking at the money. I said, ‘This money will change.’ I was speaking English that day. Me that used to disturb the whole place, I was quiet [sic]. I caught myself speaking good English.”

Timi Dakolo hit stardom after winning the inaugural Idols West Africa in 2007.