KASNATY: From Lagos Bus Conductor To A Celebrated Voice On Radio

The journey of Kolawole Atanda Adejojo, popularly known as Kasnaty, into broadcasting is a compelling story of resilience, self-discovery, education and an unwavering determination to succeed against the odds.

Today, Kasnaty is a familiar voice in Nigerian broadcasting, but his journey to the microphone did not begin in a studio; it began on the busy streets of Lagos, where he worked as a bus conductor, navigating some of the city’s busiest routes while searching for direction in life.

Born and raised partly in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with roots in Osun State on his father’s side and Abeokuta on his mother’s side, Kasnaty had a modest beginning. He attended Olaoluwa Primary School in Oshodi, Lagos, before proceeding to Okota High School, Lagos. He later completed his secondary education at Saje High School in Abeokuta.

His early years were shaped by both responsibility and adversity. His mother, who introduced him to business, died while he was still young. Before her death, she had encouraged him to learn shoemaking, a skill he subsequently tried to pursue after secondary school. However, the craft did not work out as expected.

In search of survival, the young Kasnaty relocated to Lagos, where he became a bus conductor. His experience as a conductor exposed him to the vastness and diversity of Lagos. He worked on several routes, including Oshodi, Mushin, Iyana-Ipaja, Airport, Ikeja, PWD, Pleasure, Ilepo, Okota, Somolu, Bariga, Alasia, Bolade, Sogunle, Magoro, Cele, Isolo and other parts of the metropolis. It was a period of struggle, but also one of learning.

Beyond earning a living, Kasnaty said the experience taught him important lessons about people, communication, survival and the realities of everyday life. It was also during this period that he learnt how to drive. Eventually, he returned to Abeokuta and moved in with his mother’s immediate younger sister, who was involved in the sale of building materials at Sapon in Abeokuta. From there, another chapter of his life began.

The Radio That Changed Everything

Kasnaty ventured into the sale of electronic appliances, starting with transistor radios, rechargeable lanterns and other small electronic gadgets. It was in 1997, while selling radios and other appliances, that something unexpected happened: the man who sold radios for a living began falling in love with what came out of them. He became fascinated by radio broadcasting.

One broadcaster who particularly captivated him was the late Toba Opaleye. Kasnaty was especially attracted to Opaleye’s presentation style and the popular “Obey Half Hour” segment of his programme. Rather than simply listening, Kasnaty began studying the broadcaster. He listened closely to how words were delivered, how programmes were structured and how a broadcaster could command the attention of an audience through nothing more than a microphone and his voice. His growing interest in broadcasting soon brought him into contact with people who would influence his career.

Through Mr. Razak Oyadiran of the Ogun State Sports Council, he met the late Toba Opaleye, who began introducing him on radio as far back as 1999. That introduction opened new doors. He subsequently encountered some of the biggest names in Yoruba entertainment and broadcasting, including the late Gbenga Adeboye, Olaiya Igwe and Kola Olawuyi, among others.

His relationship with these personalities also brought him closer to the entertainment industry. At one point, Kasnaty recalled driving Sefiu Alao to the office of Kola Olawuyi for the first time, when a musical collaboration involving Gbenga Allison alias Shosho Giriso was being planned. These experiences further strengthened his conviction that broadcasting and entertainment were where his future lay.

From Business Setback to Content Creation

But Kasnaty’s journey was not without setbacks. His electronics business suffered a major blow after he was allegedly scammed of about N100, 000. With his capital gone, he had to find another means of survival. He turned to video cassette rental.

It was a strategic move because his growing network within the entertainment industry gave him access to actors, broadcasters and theatre practitioners. He knew personalities such as Toba Opaleye, Gbenga Adeboye, Olaiya Igwe and Mr Latin, among others, and decided to leverage his relationships and knowledge of the entertainment world to survive. The death of Gbenga Adeboye in 2003 marked another turning point.

Inspired by one of Gbenga Adeboye’s jokes, Kasnaty developed the idea into a film story. Although he lacked the money to produce it, he eventually found a sponsor in Mr. Jimoh Kolawole Lateef, popularly known as Jimlat. The film, titled “Last Minute,” became another milestone in his creative journey. He later produced another movie, “B’olowo Bate,” and instead of simply enjoying the proceeds, he invested the money in what he considered his ultimate passion, radio.

He used part of the proceeds to buy airtime on Paramount F.M for a programme focused on Jehovah’s Witnesses being Jehovah witness adherent.

The Decision to Learn the Craft

Kasnaty soon realized that passion alone was not enough. His desire to become a professional broadcaster led him to seek formal training. He approached veteran broadcaster Yemi Sonde, asking him to train him. Sonde agreed. That decision fundamentally transformed his career. Kasnaty began attending Paramount F.M every Monday for practical training. At times, he trekked from Ijeun Tuntun to the station’s location along Kobape Road because he was determined to learn.

From late 2003 into early 2004, Yemi Sonde subjected him to rigorous training in broadcasting. But the training did not stop there.
Sonde encouraged him to attend the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Training School, where Kasnaty underwent professional broadcasting courses. He completed basic, intermediate and advanced training, ultimately acquiring formal qualifications and a deeper understanding of the technical and professional demands of broadcasting.

For Kasnaty, education became the bridge between raw talent and professionalism. “No matter how talented you are, you need education, no matter what,” he said.

According to him, it was at the training school that he learnt about different programme formats and understood the technical and professional dimensions of broadcasting. His experience reinforced his belief that talent may open the door, but education and training are what enable a professional to remain relevant.

When a Setback Became a Turning Point

One of the most memorable moments in Kasnaty’s broadcasting career came during his early days at the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC). At the time, he was already presenting a radio programme, but his presentation was far from professional. The then General Manager, Princess Banke Ademola, was so dissatisfied with his performance that she reportedly instructed the studio manager to stop his programme. For many people, such an experience might have ended the dream, but for Kasnaty, it became motivation.

After undergoing professional training at the FRCN Training School, he returned to broadcasting with a transformed presentation style. When he eventually returned to the same station to present his programme, the same General Manager who had once criticized his performance became one of his admirers. Kasnaty recalled that she continued to listen to and praise his programme until her retirement. For him, the experience demonstrated the power of learning, correction and professional development. It was proof that criticism, when properly received, can become a catalyst for growth.

How ‘Kasnaty’ Was Born

The name that would eventually become synonymous with Kolawole Adejojo’s broadcasting identity was itself born out of a desire to stand apart. When he entered the broadcasting industry, he discovered that there were already several broadcasters known as Kola or Kolawole. There were names such as Kola Olawuyi, Kola Ajayi, Kola Olaleye and Kola Popoola. He needed an identity that would distinguish him. His original alias was “KAS”, but he eventually approached one of his protégés, Ayinla Egba, who helped create the name KASNATY. The name stuck. Over time, Kasnaty became more than an alias. It became a brand associated with creativity, entertainment, community engagement and an unconventional approach to broadcasting.

Creativity as a Competitive Advantage

Asked what separates him from other broadcasters, Kasnaty points to one word: creativity. He does not believe in simply following established trends. “I love to be creative. I don’t like following what people are doing. I love coming up with something different,” he said. That philosophy has shaped some of his most memorable projects. One of the clearest examples came during the COVID-19 pandemic when he conceptualised “Street Voices with Kasnaty,” a programme designed to tell the stories of less privileged people across the South-West, Nigeria. Rather than concentrating solely on celebrities, politicians and other prominent personalities, Kasnaty took his microphone to the streets.

He interviewed ordinary Nigerians, particularly people living in difficult circumstances, and used the platform to expose the realities of poverty and social deprivation. But the programme did more than tell stories. It became an intervention platform.

According to Kasnaty, some beneficiaries received assistance from his listeners and supporters in the diaspora. Some were able to establish businesses, while others received support to improve their living conditions and even build houses. In that sense, broadcasting became more than a profession for Kasnaty. It became a vehicle for social impact.

A Broadcaster Who Refused to Be Defined by His Beginning

Kasnaty’s story is ultimately one of reinvention. The bus conductor navigating Lagos routes could easily have remained a footnote in the city’s sprawling informal economy. The young man who lost his mother and struggled with shoemaking could have abandoned his ambitions. The businessman who lost his capital to a scam could have given up.

The aspiring broadcaster whose programme was once stopped because of poor presentation could have walked away from the microphone. He did none of those things. Instead, each setback became another stage in his evolution. He learnt from the streets. He learnt from business. He learnt from established broadcasters. He learnt from criticism. Most importantly, he went back to school to acquire the professional knowledge he lacked. That combination of experience, mentorship, formal training, creativity and perseverance has defined his broadcasting journey. From the streets of Lagos to the radio studios of Ogun State, Kolawole Atanda Adejojo, Kasnaty, has demonstrated that one’s starting point does not necessarily determine one’s destination.

His journey from bus conductor to broadcaster is therefore not merely a story about career progression. It is a story about the transformative power of education, the value of mentorship and the courage to continually reinvent oneself. And perhaps the most important lesson from his story is simple: talent may give a person a voice, but education, training, discipline and persistence can turn that voice into a career.