Nigerian street-pop star Portable has shared the story of his difficult early life, revealing the lengths he went to to stay in school before music brought him fame.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Honest Bunch podcast, the singer explained that his family couldn't afford his secondary school fees, so he took to selling sachet water to raise money and continue attending Owode Community College (ODC). With no one able to sponsor his education, he said he had to find his own way to cover the high cost of school fees.

Portable also revealed that he never completed his formal education at the time, but he's since gone back to school. He's now enrolled at Kwara State Polytechnic, where he's pursuing a degree in Business Administration. He expressed confidence that he'll finish his studies despite already having achieved major success in music. He noted that he was once mocked within his family and labeled a poor student, but he's now the one supporting them financially.

The singer went on to discuss ongoing struggles within his family. He expressed frustration that his siblings, who did complete their education, still haven't been able to find jobs. He pointed out that although his father worked hard to put all his children through school, it's now Portable who carries the responsibility of providing for the family — and he voiced disappointment that the government hasn't stepped in with employment opportunities or support for his siblings.