Divorce in the celebrity world often attracts intense public scrutiny, especially when high-profile marriages come to an unexpected end.

Nigerian entertainment industry has witnessed a number of celebrity breakups that left fans shocked and eager for answers.

From allegations of infidelity and domestic abuse to irreconcilable differences, these splits reveal the complex personal challenges faced by some of the country’s most beloved stars. In this feature, we explore the reasons behind the divorces of Nigerian celebrities and the lasting impact on their careers and personal lives.

Mercy Aigbe and Lanre Gentry divorced in 2017 after a marriage that reportedly began in 2013.

Domestic abuse was the primary reason behind their split. Mercy Aigbe publicly accused her husband, Lanre Gentry, of physically abusing her, and there were rumors of infidelity.

Tonto Dikeh and Olakunle Churchill divorced in July 2017. The couple’s marriage was marked by allegations of domestic abuse and infidelity

Tonto Dikeh accused Olakunle Churchill of cheating and not being responsible. She also mentioned issues related to neglect and abuse.

Tiwa Savage and Tunji “TeeBillz” Balogun, after couple married in a lavish ceremony in Nigeria and Dubai the marriage later ended in 2016. The marriage ended due to a combination of infidelity, financial instability, and alleged emotional abuse. TeeBillz publicly accused Tiwa of cheating, while Tiwa later revealed his own issues with finances and drug abuse. Tiwa Savage also accused TeeBillz of being responsible for the divorce, stating that she didn’t break up with him. She explained that TeeBillz made the announcement while she was still struggling with postpartum after the birth of their son. She also stated that she became the ‘African Bad Girl’ after the divorce. 

Ini Edo and Philip Ehiagwina, the marriage, which lasted for six years, saw the now estranged couple walk down the aisle on 29th November 2008. However, the love went sour, and they divorced in 2014 without a child.

The Nollywood actress, Iniobong Edo Ekim popularly known as Ini Edo has revealed that distance and interference caused the collapse of her marriage to Philip Ehiagwina.

However, Speculations has it that the divorce was due to irreconcilable differences and Philip’s lack of commitment.

Chika Ike and Tony Eberiri, after a protracted separation from her ex; Tony Eberiri, Nollywood screen goddess Chika Ike filled a motion at an Abuja high court. On Friday July 26th, 2013 she got what she wanted; a divorce!

Chika and Tony got married in 2006, but the marriage hit the rocks a few years later.

The main reason given for their split was that the marriage had become “irreparably broken.” Chika Ike did not openly discuss the specific reasons for the divorce, but there were rumors about infidelity and lack of communication.

Paul Okoye and Anita Okoye got their divorced papers finalised in December 2022. Anita who got married to Paul in 2014 cited cheating, separation, being an absent father, fraud, and difficult experiences as her major reasons for seeking a divorce.

Kate Henshaw and Roderick James Nuttall

Henshaw married British-born Roderick James Nuttal in 1999, and they have a child together. Henshaw and Nuttal divorced in 2011.

The couple part ways after several years of marriage, but the exact cause of the divorce was not publicly disclosed. Speculations included the challenges of balancing her career and family life.

Ay Makun and Mabel Makun, after 20 years of marriage, AY’s post on his Instagram page Sunday confirmed his twenty-year marriage is on the brink of collapse. The reason for the divorce was not totally detailed but it was however linked that it was connected to infidelity. 

Kunle Afolayan and Tolu Afolayan, divorced in 2019. They were married in 2007 and have four children. Some say that Kunle and Tolu’s marriage was a convenience and that Kunle was never in love with Tolu. Others say that the marriage was full of suspicion and distrust, and that Tolu left after failed attempts to save it. Kunle confirmed the divorce on his 45th birthday in 2019 by posting photos of himself and his children, but not his wife. 

Basketmouth and Elsie Okpocha

In December 2022, comedian Basketmouth shocked fans by announcing his split from Elsie Okpocha after 12 years of marriage. The couple, who share three children, ended their union quietly, with Basketmouth requesting privacy: “It’s a difficult decision we’ve made, and we ask for your understanding.”

Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz

Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz parted ways in 2022 after six years of marriage. The split shocked fans, especially as they shared twin boys. Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, confirmed his marriage with Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has ended.

Innocent ‘2Baba’ and Annie Idibia

The most recent addition to the above list is music legend 2Baba and his actress wife, Annie Idibia. In January 2025, 2Baba announced on Instagram that they had been separated and had officially filed for divorce. The controversial post was followed by a claim that his account was hacked before he admitted, via a video he released that same day stating “Nobody hacked my account, nah me yarn wetin I yarn.” The saga has left fans shocked as the couple’s future hangs in the balance.

Being an actor is time-consuming, exhausting – Saga

Reality TV star and actor, Okusaga Adeoluwa, popularly known as Saga, has shed light on his journey from being an engineer to a multifaceted entertainer and fitness coach. In an interview with Pot-Pourri, he opened up about the challenges he has faced transitioning between different careers and how acting has proven to be more demanding than many assume.

Saga revealed that his career path has been anything but conventional. “I was first an engineer, then I became an artist, and later a fitness coach. I was a full-time oil and gas engineer, but during COVID, I transitioned into being a full-time artist. At the same time, I also became a full-time fitness coach,” he shared.

His ability to embrace change has been a defining feature of his professional journey. “Transitioning is not new to me. After COVID, I got another engineering job, but then I became a reality TV star after Big Brother. It’s not my first time making career shifts, and I like to embrace change whenever it comes.”

Speaking on the challenges of transitioning from reality TV to acting, Saga highlighted time management as the biggest hurdle. “Contrary to what many think, being an actor is extremely time-consuming and exhausting. We work ridiculous hours—sometimes from 9 AM to 9 AM the following day. There’s barely any time to rest because if you sleep in between scenes, your eyes will look saggy, and it will show on camera. You don’t want to look tired when playing a morning scene,” he explained.

Balancing multiple responsibilities as an artist, content creator, and influencer has made time management even more critical for him. “Acting is stressful and requires a lot of energy. Juggling it with other commitments has been a major challenge, but I am constantly learning how to manage my time better.”

Comedian Mr Dolor set to break Guinness World Record for longest stand-up comedy show

Nigerian comedian Mr. Dolor is set to embark on a 50-hour stand-up comedy marathon in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest stand-up comedy performance by an individual.

Mr. Dolor, a graduate of Delta State University from the Department of Library and Information Science, revealed this to journalists at a press conference. He noted that this marathon is aimed at creating a niche for his brand as a comedian with a difference, while also preparing for his nationwide tour across Nigeria.

The marathon, which kicksd off on February 27, 2025, will run for a few days at Pepperoni Fast Food Central, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, is expected to attract many Lagosians to the venue

Vanguard