Yinka Ayefele: How a Tragic Accident Turned Into a Life-Changing Blessing
Popular Nigerian gospel musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, has opened up about how a life-threatening accident in 1997 became the defining turning point that reshaped his destiny and birthed his success story.
Ayefele, who is the founder of Fresh 105.9 FM, made this revelation during a press conference marking the 10th anniversary of the radio station, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
The event had in attendance notable personalities, including Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde; Comrade Ademola Babalola, NUJ Chairman, Oyo State; and Alhaja Sherifat Mohammed-Koro, a representative of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
🎙️ “My Journey to Stardom Began After the Accident” — Ayefele
Reflecting on his journey, Ayefele revealed that his path to fame began not with fortune or opportunity, but through tragedy.
“I worked at Radio Nigeria Ibadan where I was into jingle production. I bought a beetle car from the money I earned, and on my way to Abeokuta in 1997, I had a road accident with that car,” he recalled.
“That accident was my turning point. Many people know the story — it changed everything about my life.”
Confined to a wheelchair after the incident, Ayefele could have easily faded into obscurity. Instead, he turned pain into purpose — embracing music and later broadcasting as his channels of inspiration.
📻 From Facebook Live Streams to a Media Powerhouse
The “Bitter Experience” crooner also shared how Fresh FM started humbly from Facebook live streaming, before evolving into one of Nigeria’s most influential private radio brands.
“I started live streaming on Facebook, and I realized that my fans abroad appreciated it. That gave me the idea — I thought, ‘I can own a radio station and change the face of broadcasting.’”
But the journey wasn’t easy. Ayefele disclosed that it took him seven years to obtain a broadcasting license from the NBC, enduring strict scrutiny from regulatory authorities.
“If other radio owners were investigated the way I was, many of them wouldn’t be operating today,” he said with a smile.
Despite challenges — including the demolition of his Ibadan station in 2018 by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi — Ayefele expressed gratitude, calling the incident a “blessing in disguise.”
“It was painful at first, but BBC called, CNN invited me. The world got to know Fresh FM through that event,” he said. “Ajimobi even helped rebuild the station later. It was God’s way of turning a storm into a spotlight.”
💬 Opinion: Yinka Ayefele — The Man Who Turned Pain into Purpose
Yinka Ayefele’s story isn’t just about music or media — it’s about resilience, faith, and the refusal to surrender.
In a society where adversity often silences dreams, Ayefele’s journey reminds us that tragedy doesn’t have to be the end — it can be the beginning of something extraordinary.
He has built an empire that gives jobs, inspires creativity, and spreads positivity across Nigeria’s airwaves. Ten years without sacking any employee is not just a managerial record — it’s a reflection of his heart as a leader who values people over profit.
If anything, Ayefele’s life preaches a louder sermon than any gospel song: that no setback is permanent, and that God often uses broken roads to lead us to beautiful destinations.
