Lau Lau has denied drug abuse rumours as he reflects on his 25 years in the nightlife industry with ADEGBOLA SHEHU TIJANI
Babatunde Adekola, Lau Lau Veteran artist manager and nightlife executive Babatunde Adekola, popularly known as Lau Lau, has dismissed rumours linking his past illness to drug abuse, insisting that his health challenges had nothing to do with narcotics. Speaking during a recent interview, Lau Lau explained that while he was seriously ill at one point, his recovery was made possible through God’s grace and the support of his family. He said many people wrongly assume that individuals working in the nightlife industry abuse drugs because of the nature of the business.Lau Lau, who has spent over 25 years in Nigeria’s entertainment and nightlife industries, described his career as a journey built on consistency and resilience. Over the years, he has worked as an artist manager and promoter for several Nigerian musicians, including Clever J, Danny Young, Oritse Femi , Nice and others, helping them secure performances and grow their careers. He also recounted his transition into club management, saying his experience managing artists exposed him to the nightlife business, where he discovered another passion. During the interview, Lau Lau revealed that he spent about 12 years at Club Royale in Ikeja before resigning to gain broader experience across Lagos. He stressed that his departure was amicable and not the result of any disagreement with the club’s management. “I resigned because I wanted to explore. Club Royale is still my family house, and I still have a good relationship with the CEO,” he said. He also spoke about the challenges facing Nigeria’s nightlife industry, lamenting the absence of a unified association for operators and managers. According to him, greater collaboration among stakeholders would strengthen the industry and improve business standards. Lau Lau further noted that running a nightclub in Nigeria requires significant financial investment, with many establishments relying on multiple investors due to the high cost of operations. Looking ahead, the nightlife executive announced plans to celebrate both his 45th birthday and his 25 years in the entertainment industry on August 2 at Club Rubies. He said several entertainers and friends, including Clever J, Junior Boy and other notable personalities, are expected to attend the celebration. Lau Lau concluded by inviting fans, colleagues and members of the public to join him in marking the milestone, describing it as a celebration of his long-standing contribution to Nigeria’s nightlife and entertainment industry.
