Nigerian highlife singer Flavour has opened up about a difficult chapter in his life, revealing that he battled a masturbation addiction for two years before eventually overcoming it.

The singer made the disclosure during a TikTok live session with friends, where he candidly shared how the habit started after he lost his virginity and later lost contact with the woman involved.

According to Flavour, the absence of a sexual partner led him to masturbation, a habit he said became addictive after a friend introduced him to Mapouka dance videos from Congo. He claimed the addiction became so intense that he sometimes resorted to using liquid soap while masturbating.

He said the addiction took an emotional toll on him, leaving him ashamed and making it difficult to interact confidently with his peers, even during everyday activities such as playing football.

In a bid to break free from the habit, Flavour said he first sought help from his mother's pastor, who described himself as a guidance and counselling expert. The pastor reportedly recommended a 21-day fasting and prayer programme, but the singer said the addiction returned just days after he completed it.

Flavour said he later confided in a bassist he played music with, who suggested that his struggle was linked to his youth and lack of regular sexual activity. According to the singer, the bassist took him to a brothel and paid for him to have sex with a woman there.

He said he subsequently began spending money he earned from playing musical instruments on weekly visits to brothels, adding that the practice eventually helped him overcome his masturbation addiction.

The singer's revelation has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users expressing surprise at his openness while others debated his account and the approach he said helped him overcome the habit.