Nigerian rapper YCee has publicly shared his battle with bipolar disorder, revealing that he has been living with the condition since 2020 while calling attention to the shortage of mental health professionals in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the 33-year-old rapper disclosed that he was diagnosed in London after undergoing several medical evaluations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I have been living with bipolar disorder since 2020. I was diagnosed in London after several tests because I was in and out of the hospital," YCee said.
The rapper explained that continuing his treatment after returning to Lagos proved far more challenging due to the limited number of psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health specialists available in the country.
According to him, the experience exposed significant gaps in Nigeria's healthcare system, particularly in mental health care. He contrasted the UK's approach, where mental health support services remained widely accessible during the pandemic, with the reality in Nigeria, where many patients struggle to receive adequate treatment.
YCee also criticised the stigma surrounding mental illness in Nigeria, saying many people wrongly believe conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder only affect wealthy individuals.
He noted that the misconceptions discourage open conversations and prevent many people from seeking professional help.
The rapper said he decided to speak publicly about his diagnosis to encourage greater awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
YCee revealed that his diagnosis also contributed to his prolonged absence from the music scene.
According to the rapper, his mental health struggles prevented him from fully promoting his 2021 project, Love Drunk, despite the effort invested in the album.
Now focused on recovery, YCee hopes that sharing his experience will inspire more conversations about mental health while encouraging authorities to invest in better healthcare services and improve access to treatment for Nigerians living with similar conditions.