The Nigeria entertainment industry have been witnessed notable celebrity divorces that disappointed fans who were invested in these marriages. These breakups often create a stir, dominating social media discussions and leaving people questioning the reasons behind the separations.
Celebrity divorces are often influenced by several common factors. One recurring issue is the pressure and scrutiny that fame brings. The constant public attention and speculation can strain relationships, especially when coupled with the demanding schedules and lifestyles of celebrities, making it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
However, celebrity marriages in Nigeria have remained a hot topic among many. This is due to the rate at which these marriages have continued to hit the rocks.
Here are the 11 popular Nigerian celebrities failed marriages that have broken the internet:
1. Israel DMW and Sheila Courage
Logistics manager to Nigerian singer, Davido, Israel Afeare, popularly known as Israel DMW and his 22 year old wife, Sheila Courage, have gone their separate ways barely one year into their marital union.
Sheila is a beautiful model, sound writer, relationship coach, and TV presenter who gained widespread recognition as the esteemed spouse of Israel DMW. Beyond her role as a celebrity wife, she is also distinguished as the daughter of a prominent pastor. Her presence in the public eye has recently intensified, capturing the attention of media and fans alike.
They got married in Oct 2022, a wedding that was well attended by the top players in the Nigerian music, media, and entertainment industry including his boss, Davido.
However thing got dirty as Israel announced via his Instagram page on Saturday, November, 25, that his wife married him for fame, how he met her with just N2700 in her but upgraded her life by buying her expensive hair, iPhones, and shopping for her. He, however, announced their marriage separation.
2. Bolanle Ninalowo
Fans were left speechless when news filtered in that the 17-year-old marriage of popular Nollywood actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, and his wife, Bunmi, hit the rock.
On Friday, September 1, 2023, Ninalowo posted the sad news to his Instagram page and said that the breakup was best for all parties.
This won’t be the first time the couple would be making headlines for their relationship hitting the rocks.
In 2017, the movie star in an interview with Genevieve Magazine confirmed that after 12 years together then, he and his wife had decided to end things. They, however, reunited in 2018.
3. BRed
Nigerian artiste Adebayo Adeleke and Davido’s cousin, BRed’s marriage to wife, Faith Johnson, hit the rocks in 2023 amidst allegations of abuse and infidelity.
Though the wedding of B-Red and Faith was never known to the public, the lovebirds had claimed that they were married. While responding to a troll, Faith revealed that she was married to the singer and B-Red had also confirmed their marital union.
The estranged couple, who share a son, Adetayo Oshioke Adeleke, born in 2019, have since unfollowed each other on Instagram and continued to lambast each other on social media.
4. Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade
The Nollywood movie stars, Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade met onset of a TV show and got married afterwards to fans and industry delight. The couple’s wedding ceremony was so huge in 2015, that it was televised on live TV.
Their marriage break up is one of the Nigerian celebrities failed marriages that broke fans and followers.
In February 2019, Gbenro called out Osas over her parenting style. It was clear that they were separated at that time.
A few months later, Osas took down Gbenro’s name from her Instagram handle. After several months in the United States of America, Gbenro marked his return to Nigeria with an interview on Rubbin Minds in December where he confirmed that they are divorced.
5. Bukola Awoyemi (Arugba) and Damola Olatunji
Popular Nollywood actress Bukola Awoyemi, professionally called Arugba, has officially separated from her husband, actor Damola Olatunji.
Recall that the actress had moved out of the actor’s house earlier this year over alleged infidelity, a rumour denied by the actor.
Announcing their separation via her Instagram page, the actress claimed she has never married actor Damola Olatunji. The couple were blessed with a set of twins.
6. Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz
Popular Nollywood actress and movie producer, Funke Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016.
The couple was consistently viewed as a perfect team, and admirers would often express their affection for their lovey-dovey relationship. The couple welcomed twins in December 2018.
However, JJC Skillz announced the end of the union between him and the popular actress which lasted six years via his official Instagram handle on June 30, 2022, leaving shockwaves through the entertainment industry and sparked discussions about celebrity relationships.
7. Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz
This high-profile marriage between singer Tiwa Savage and her manager Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun was a fan favorite.
They got married in 2013 and had a beautiful son, Jamil together. However, in 2016, the couple announced their separation amidst allegations of infidelity and substance abuse. The divorce proceedings were messy and public, captivating the attention of social media users.
8. Blossom Chukwujekwu and Maureen Esisi
Renowned Nolloywood actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu’s split from Maureen Esisi was probably the most shocking separation gist in 2019. Social media will not forget in a hurry how Blossom and Maureen showcased their beautiful and ‘happy marriage’ to the admiration of many.
In September 2019, reports surfaced about their split. Various blogs offered different explanations for the breakdown of their marriage, but the couple chose to stay silent. Maureen, however, has made several cryptic remarks about the end of their marriage. On the contrary, Blossom has effectively avoided discussions about his failed marriage.
9. Basketmouth
Popular Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha, well-known as Basketmouth and his estranged wife, Elsie have ended their marriage after 12 years.
In November 2010, Basketmouth married his longtime girlfriend Elsie in Lagos, Nigeria. They share three children together.
In December 2022, Basketmouth announced via his official Instagram account that he and his wife were getting a divorce. The 45-year-old comic star asked the public to respect their privacy as they navigate through these times.
10. Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh
Just like Osas and Gbenro, The Nollywood movie stars Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh had one of those onset beautiful love stories. The couple got hitched on February 14, 2015, in Accra, Ghana. They were blessed with a boy.
In April 2017, Chris Attoh slammed divorce rumours in a radio interview. The couple had earlier unfollowed each other on Instagram.
The actress remained silent about their separation after that. However, in September that same year, Attoh finally revealed that their marriage had crashed.
11. Paul Okoye and Anita
Popular Nigerian singer and a part of twin group, PSquare, Paul Okoye and his wife, Anita Isama happen to be one of Nigerian celebrities failed marriage that trended on social media.
Paul Okoye and Anita met in 2004 during their undergraduate days at the University of Abuja. The duo got married on March 22, 2014, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and they have three children together: Andre, born in 2013; and the twins, Nathan and Nadia, born in 2017.
In August 2021, Anita filed a petition to end their seven-year-old marriage, citing five main factors: infidelity, a fake separation, being an absent parent, fraud, and other challenging situations.
She further accussed her husband of cheating her out of a partnership.