Unfiltered conversations about living, surviving, and thriving with sickle cell disease. Hosted by a 51-year-old warrior who refused to be silenced.
The Painful Truth Podcast is a groundbreaking platform born from lived experience. Every episode strips away the clinical language and sanitised narratives around sickle cell disease — and replaces them with raw, honest, human truth.
From the agony of vaso-occlusive crises to the systemic neglect in healthcare systems, from career battles to love and relationship complexities — we speak about what others dare not. Because the painful truth deserves to be heard.
"To keep this podcast alive and accessible, we are calling on corporate sponsors, philanthropic organisations, and kind-hearted individuals to partner with us — because no warrior should fight alone."— Obi Ogbonnia, Founder, OOSCF
Warrior Voices
Real stories from sickle cell warriors across Nigeria and the world
Expert Insights
Healthcare professionals, researchers and policy advocates
Global Reach
Conversations reaching listeners in 18+ countries worldwide
Advocacy & Policy
Demanding systemic change for warriors' rights and healthcare equity
All Episodes
Obi Ogbonnia reflects on five decades of living with sickle cell disease in Nigeria — the hospitalizations, the stigma, the resilience, and why he started OOSCF. An intimate portrait of Africa's most determined warrior.
With Dr. Amara Okonkwo, haematologist at LUTH, we confront the systemic failures in Nigerian healthcare that leave sickle cell patients undertreated, undertested, and often abandoned in their moments of greatest need.
One of our most controversial episodes. Couples, counsellors, and ethicists confront the question that tears Nigerian families apart: When love meets the one-in-four chance, what do warriors choose?
Our advocacy panel discusses the absence of sickle cell protection in Nigeria's labour laws, the discrimination warriors face at work, and what a SDG-aligned policy framework would actually look like.
Emeka Osei, 28-year-old sickle cell warrior turned software developer, shares how OOSCF's digital skills programme changed his life — and why tech jobs are uniquely suited to warriors who need flexible care access.
Obi Ogbonnia
Founder, OOSCF · Sickle Cell Warrior · Podcast Host
Your Host
At 51, Obi Ogbonnia has defied the odds that define sickle cell disease in Nigeria — a nation where many with SCD rarely survive past their teens. His childhood was marked by societal stigma, agonizing pain crises, and crushing isolation.
Today, Obi channels five decades of painful truth into conversations that change lives. As founder of the Obi Ogbonnia Sickle Cell Foundation and host of this podcast, his mission is singular: no warrior should fight alone.
Early Life
Born into silence. Labelled a "curse" by his community, Obi faced rejection from family, schools, and friends — while fighting debilitating crises alone.
The Turning Point
Pain became purpose. Rather than succumb, Obi transformed adversity into advocacy — building Nigeria's most passionate sickle cell warrior movement.
Today
OOSCF and The Painful Truth Podcast give warriors across Africa and the diaspora a platform, a community, and a reason to keep fighting.
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Help keep this podcast free and accessible for every sickle cell warrior
Listener Love
"I cried listening to Obi's story because for the first time, someone described exactly what I go through. This podcast made me feel seen. I am not crazy. I am not weak. I am a warrior."
"Episode 10 on AS couples is the bravest piece of podcast content I have heard in years. Obi asks questions others are afraid to ask. This is public health advocacy at its finest."
"As a caregiver to my daughter with SCD, this podcast has taught me more than three years of hospital visits. I share every episode with other parents in our support group. Absolute gold."
Partner With Us
To keep this podcast free and accessible for every warrior across Nigeria and the diaspora, we are calling on corporates, philanthropists, and kind hearts to partner with us.
Individual Supporter
₦5,000 – ₦20,000
Named supporter + exclusive newsletter
Community Champion
₦50,000 – ₦200,000
Episode credit + social media shoutout
Gold Sponsor
₦500,000+
Season sponsorship + branded content + logo
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Custom
Full partnership package — contact us to discuss
Your support keeps The Painful Truth Podcast alive and free for every warrior who needs it.
Episode Title
The Painful Truth Podcast · OOSCF