By Ephraim Oseji

Thirteen-year-old saxophonist Jeremiah Oluwajenyo, popularly known as JeremiahFJ Sax, has continued to capture national attention after emerging first runner-up at the just-concluded De9jaspirit Talent Hunt Season 4, one of Nigeria’s most competitive and widely followed reality talent shows.

Jeremiah, a JSS 3 pupil from Lagos State, impressed judges and viewers throughout the ten-week show with his exceptional mastery of the saxophone and creative performances that blended gospel, jazz, and contemporary Nigerian music. His unique style, confidence, and stage presence set him apart among the 22 contestants who featured in the competition.

The young instrumentalist, who began playing the saxophone at the tender age of four, said his love for the instrument was inspired by an experience he had as a child. 

“I followed my dad to a talent show and saw someone playing the saxophone. I told my dad I can play it,and a year later he got me my first saxophone,” he recalled.

That early interest would later blossom into an extraordinary gift. Over the years, Jeremiah trained under seasoned saxophonists such as Mr. Jerry Omole, the founder of Saxophone hub, Mr Muyiwa Williams, founder Brand Point  Music and Mr Sunday Okpo.

During De9jaspirit Talent Hunt Season 4, Jeremiah distinguished himself by delivering powerful renditions of Nigerian classics such as Victor Uwaifo’s “Joromi” and “Guitar Boy”, Lagbaja’s 

“Nothing for You”, and even chart-topping songs by Rema. His flexibility to perform both gospel and pop tunes drew millions of online views and praise from fans across social media.

Jeremiah won the Best Weekly Performance Award three times—in episodes 4, 5, and 8—and several of his stage clips went viral, earning millions of views. His gospel performance attracted over 7.8 million views, while his hip-hop and Lagbaja covers recorded 8.4 million and 8.1 million views respectively on TikTok.

Speaking after the finale, Jeremiah described the competition as demanding but rewarding. “The show lasted ten weeks, and I trained six days a week to prepare for each performance. It wasn’t easy, but I wanted to give my best every time,” he said.

Beyond his musical talent, Jeremiah is equally committed to his academics and Christian faith. 

He cites gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey as his biggest inspiration. “Nathaniel Bassey motivates me a lot,” he said. “I want to use my music to make people happy and glorify God.”

Balancing schoolwork and music, Jeremiah says he practices two to four hours daily while ensuring his studies are not affected. “My parents help me balance both,” he added.

Looking ahead, Jeremiah hopes to become a world-class instrumentalist who uses music to inspire and uplift others. “Whenever people hear the name JeremiahFJSax, I want them to expect something amazing,” he said.