Nigerian celebrities whose marriages ended in separation, divorce
The Nigerian entertainment industry has witnessed a significant number of high-profile marriages ending in separation or divorce in recent years.
The pressures of fame, public scrutiny, and the demands of a celebrity lifestyle can take a toll on relationships, leading to marital breakdowns.
Here are Nigerian celebrities whose unions have ended since 2015:
2Baba and Annie Idibia
The most recent high-profile split is between singer 2Baba and his wife Annie. The pair tied the knot in May 2012 and have two children together. But in an unexpected twist on Sunday, the ‘African Queen’ hitmaker announced that he and Annie had been separated for a while and were filing for divorce.
Harrysong and Alexer Peres
Singer Harrysong and his wife Alexer married in 2021, but their marital crisis unfolded in January 2024. An alleged WhatsApp chat between the couple surfaced on social media, with Alexer claiming Harrysong abused her verbally and physically. Harrysong, on the other hand, accused Alexer of infidelity. Last week, Alexer declared she is “now a free woman”.
Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz
Actress Akindele and producer Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello tied the knot in London in 2016 and welcomed a set of twin boys in 2018. But in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced his separation from Akindele, citing “irreconcilable differences”. The singer claimed he tried to address the situation but the matter is now “beyond repair.”
Basketmouth and Elsie Okpocha
Comedian Basketmouth announced his separation from his wife Elsie in 2022, describing their split as an “unavoidable situation.” The couple had been married for 12 years and had three children together.
Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz
Savage, the songstress, and her manager Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun tied the knot in 2013. The duo divorced in 2018 after efforts to resolve their differences proved abortive. TeeBillz accused the singer of “neglect and infidelity” while Savage claimed he was living above his means to the point of getting into debt.
Savage recently revealed that during the period, she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.
IK Ogbonna and Sonia Morales
Nollywood actor Ogbonna and his Colombian wife Morales met on Instagram. A few months after chatting with the actor, Morales came to Nigeria and got pregnant with their child before she returned to her country. However, Ogbonna addressed speculations that he and his wife had parted ways in 2018.
“Everyone tries to pretend like marriage is perfect. No marriage is perfect,” he said. In 2019, Morales confirmed their split.
Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh
Adegbite and Attoh met on the set of ‘Tinsel’, a MNET television series, and got engaged in August 2014. The movie stars tied the knot in a private ceremony in Ghana in 2015, but the union hit the rocks in September 2017.
Although the pair didn’t reveal the cause of their split, Adegbite said their marriage ended for a reason.
“The only regard that I would have for him is that he is the father of my son. I don’t regret anything,” she said in an interview.
Toyin Abraham and Adeniyi Johnson
Abraham and Johnson tied the knot in 2013 but the marriage was short-lived after accusations of infidelity brought the union to an end in 2015. The actress revealed the failed marriage took a toll on her mental health and she turned to drugs to cope. Both film stars have since remarried and moved on with their lives.
Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade
Nollywood stars Osas and Ajibade got married in 2015. Their union, which produced a girl child ended after 4 years. Ajibade had publicly accused Osas of habitually neglecting their two-year-old daughter to party with friends.
Tonto Dikeh and Olakunle Churchill
Tonto Dikeh, the actress, and Churchill tied the knot in 2015 but the union ended two years later. The pair have a son together. Since their split, the former lovers have constantly aimed digs at each other on social media. In February 2021, Churchill confirmed his marriage to Rosy Meurer, another actress.
Paul Okoye and Anita
Paul Okoye’s wife ‘files for divorce’
Paul Okoye, the singer better known as Rudeboy, and Anita met at the University of Abuja in 2014. The pair married and had three children together. In 2022, their eight-year-old marriage was dissolved over allegations of infidelity. Last year, the singer married Ivy Ifeoma, his new lover.
Gideon Okeke and Chidera
Nollywood actor Okeke and Chidera announced their separation in 2022 after four years of marriage. The pair had two children. In an Instagram post, the actor said, “Breakfast reach me too las las. It’s been a hard hot pill I’ve had to swallow and it sure humbles one”.
Oritsefemi and Nabila Fash
Oritsefemi reacts as wife alleges adultery
Oritsefemi, the singer, and Nabila tied the knot in 2017. However, in 2021, their marriage faced a crisis over allegations of infidelity and domestic violence. Nabila accused the singer of “constant cheating, verbal and emotional abuse”. She filed for divorce from Oritsefemi in 2022.
Do2dtun and Omotayo
OAP Dotun claims estranged wife flouting court order on joint custody
Do2dtun, the on-air-personality (OAP), and Omotayo married in 2013. The union was blessed with two kids. In 2022, Omotayo filed for divorce over allegations of forced abortion, domestic violence, and emotional abuse. The media personality later accused Omotayo of denying him access to his children.
Kaffy and Joseph Ameh
Kaffy confirms divorce months after rumours surfaced
Kaffy, the dancer, and music producer Joseph Ameh tied the knot in 2012. In 2022, she confirmed the end of their union, which produced two children.
“Marriage is supposed to be an alignment of destinies driving towards a place God wants for them. Mine didn’t really work out that way,” she said.
(TheCable)
