Digital Nomads: How a Nigerian tutor relocated to Thailand on a $500 visa

Ava Anthony, a Nigerian singer-songwriter, arrived in Thailand on a budget intending to teach English and experience life in a different country. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered the thriving music industry in Asia, particularly in Thailand. This revelation led her to reflect on the growth of Afrobeats, a genre that has surged in popularity despite lacking formal preparation.

Comparing the success of Afrobeats to Afrobeats, she was struck by the vast difference in their streaming numbers – Afrobeats had achieved 30 to 100 billion streams in a year, while Afrobeats was only at 30 billion streams. The experience left her contemplating the future of African music and how structured systems in Asian countries could benefit the growth of local artists.

Anthony's introduction to music began in a more informal setting. Growing up, she was exposed to gospel music from her parents, who sang in the church choir. Although she didn't realize it then, music would become a significant part of her life. She developed an interest in singing after performing solo in her church's children's choir, which led her to write original songs during her secondary school years.

Despite her parents' insistence that education came first, she continued to pursue her musical ambitions. While studying Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering at Landmark University, she formed a partnership with a guitarist, and together they began busking on Saturdays, eventually attracting a regular audience of 15-20 people.

After graduation, she joined the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, where she taught English without formal training. During this time, her passion for music never waned, and she continued working on her career as a singer-songwriter.