Nigerian music video director ThankGod "TG" Omori has spoken about his battle with kidney failure and a failed transplant in a recent interview on the Afropolitan Podcast. Omori, popularly known as Boy Director, revealed that his kidney problems began when protein was detected in his urine, and despite medication, his condition deteriorated. He kept much of his illness private while receiving treatment, as he watched people speculate that his career had declined.
Omori's condition worsened in 2023 while he was in New York, and he was taken to a hospital where tests showed severely abnormal kidney-function results. Doctors in the US advised him to return to Nigeria due to lack of health insurance, and he subsequently worked with doctors in London and Lagos. After about three months, he was introduced to a nephrologist in Nigeria, who began discussing the possibility of a transplant as his condition worsened.
The search for a suitable kidney donor became another major challenge for Omori, lasting about nine months. His younger brother eventually offered to donate a kidney, and the transplant was performed at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos in August 2024. However, after a seven-hour operation, doctors informed Omori that the transplanted kidney was not functioning properly, and he was returned to the operating theatre to resolve the complication.
Despite the efforts of doctors, Omori was later informed that there was no blood flow to the transplanted kidney, and it had to be removed. At this point, Omori said he lost hope and "said his last prayer," turning to social media to ask Nigerians to pray for him. He had kept his illness private for almost three years, and only a small circle of friends knew the severity of his condition.
Following the failed transplant, Omori returned to dialysis while waiting to recover sufficiently to undergo another transplant. He described the experience as traumatic, particularly because his younger brother was left with one kidney despite the transplant's failure. Omori also reflected on the overwhelming public response after his condition became known, receiving about 200,000 messages and support from industry figures such as Don Jazzy, Olamide, and Rema.
Omori discussed the economics of music video production, rejecting the perception that directors automatically become wealthy by handling large production budgets. He explained that much of a video's budget goes towards paying crew members, securing locations, hiring talent, and meeting other production expenses. Omori also reflected on his celebrated creative partnership with Asake, describing their collaboration as a period when the singer's music and his visuals appeared inseparable.
Omori has directed music videos for several prominent Nigerian artistes, including Asake, Fireboy DML, Olamide, Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid. His experience has highlighted the importance of support and solidarity within Nigeria's entertainment industry. KEY_POINT: TG Omori's battle with kidney failure and a failed transplant has highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with chronic illnesses in Nigeria. KEY_POINT: The experience has also underscored the importance of support and solidarity within Nigeria's entertainment industry. KEY_POINT: Omori's story has raised awareness about the need for improved healthcare and access to medical care in Nigeria.
