Divorce between celebrity couples has become more commonplace recently, even in Nigeria. Some divorced actresses have found love again and gotten remarried. However, that hasn’t been the path for many others. These ten divorced Nigerian actresses are enjoying the single life.
Many divorced couples in Nollywood cite infidelity, irreconcilable differences, and in the worst cases even domestic assault. While their marriages may seem perfect to fans on the outside, some celebrities have talked about going through more than they could bear behind closed doors. The stories of these actresses are not just about their past relationships but also about resilience and self-discovery.
This article explores the lives of ten prominent Nigerian actresses who have navigated the complexities of divorce, choosing to embrace their independence rather than remarry. From their experiences, we can learn valuable lessons about personal growth and the importance of self-love.
Insights into Divorced Nollywood Actresses
Although some actresses remarried after divorcing, many have chosen to remain single. Here are ten divorced Nigerian celebrities who are enjoying the single life.
1. Kate Henshaw
One of the most sought-after Nollywood actresses, Kate Henshaw, divorced her British-born ex-husband Roderick James Nuttal in 2011, citing infidelity. The couple was together for 12 years and had a daughter, Gabrielle Nutall. The mum of one is now dedicated to her fitness lifestyle and, at 50, mentors fans on fitness on her Instagram.
2. Doris Simeon
The Lagos-based actress met her ex-husband, producer and director Daniel Ademinokan, also known as Da Bishop, on set. They got married and had a son together. Doris Simeon and her husband amicably parted ways in May 2013. Da Bishop went on to marry actress Stella Damasus, which stirred a lot of controversy. However, Doris has since remained single, enjoying her life as a businesswoman running her successful salon.
3. Damilola Adegbite
Damilola Adegbite married Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh in Accra, Ghana, on 14 February 2015. The two met on the set of the soap opera Tinsel. The couple has one son together, Brian. There was speculation about divorce when Adegbite unfollowed Chris Attoh and deleted his surname from her social media accounts. Attoh finally confirmed the rumours that they were divorced in September 2017 after two years of marriage.
4. Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh married Olakunle Churchill in August 2015 in a traditional wedding ceremony, and Tonto gave birth to their son, King Andre, in February 2016. The couple split in 2017. The actress charged her ex-husband with having an extramarital affair with Rosy Muerer, a former personal assistant. Despite Churchill denying the allegations that he cheated with Rosy during his marriage to Tonto, he has since married Rosy, and the two have a son.
5. Ini Edo
Ini Edo married American-based Nigerian businessman Philip Ehiagwina in 2008. The marriage lasted six years and was annulled in September 2014 due to irreconcilable differences. Since then, the 39-year-old actress has kept her romantic life out of the spotlight. She announced the arrival of her daughter via surrogacy during her interview with famous blogger Stella Dimoko.
6. Osas Ighodaro
The Nigerian-American actress married her fellow star, Gbenro Ajibade, in June 2015, whom she met on the set of the TV series Tinsel. The couple had their glamorous white wedding in New York and a traditional wedding in Benin. They welcomed a daughter, Azariah, in 2016. Osas was publicly embarrassed when Ajibade called her out on Instagram for “neglecting their daughter” to go and party with friends. Gbenro confirmed his divorce from Osas in an interview.
7. Yvonne Jegede
Yvonne Jegede was married to Olakunle ‘Abounce’ Fawole in a simple wedding ceremony in Lagos in February 2018. Abounce is the son of the late actress Bukky Ajayi. Separation rumours started in early 2019 after reports surfaced that the Nollywood actress had moved out of her husband’s house and reverted to her maiden name. In an interview, Yvonne confirmed that she quit the marriage three months after she got pregnant with her son.
8. Iyabo Ojo
The actress married a Lagos-based clearing agent, Ademidun Ojo, in 1999 at 21. The couple had children, Festus and Priscilla before the marriage ended after only three years. Iyabo attributed the divorce to marrying too young and has stated that she intends to stop using her ex-husband’s name Ojo.
9. Ayo Adesanya
The veteran actress secretly got married in the early 2000s to Nollywood producer and actor Omogoriola Hassan. They have a son, Ireayomitide Adeniyi, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 2004. After over seven years together, the couple called it quits in 2008. In one of her interviews, the actress hinted that her former partner wasn't mature enough to handle her success, which strained their relationship.
10. Chika Ike
Chika Ike and Tony Eberiri met while the actress was still an undergraduate at the University of Lagos and married in 2006. The actress complained of maltreatment and domestic abuse a few years after their union. She lost a pregnancy due to the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her husband. She filed for divorce in 2013 after seven years of marriage.
Celebrity marriages can seem like “couple goals” from the outside. However, after enduring irreconcilable differences, several divorced Nigerian actresses chose to call it quits. While some are still waiting for the right time and person, others are not interested in marriage. These stories serve as a reminder that happiness can be found in single life, and personal growth can thrive even after a difficult chapter of life.
