Nigerian celebrity couples often have fans drowning with envy, as they are always posting loved-up pictures, indulging in PDAs, and flaunting the kind of romance that most people dream of. From fairytale weddings to vacations in exotic locations like Ibiza, Santorini, and Maldives. But, as many fans are beginning to realize, what we see on social media isn’t always the full story. Just like every other relationship, Nigerian celebrity marriages have their fair share of ups and downs, disagreements, and moments that aren’t as rosy as they may appear online, from allegations of infidelity to claims of emotional abuse, the marriages of some of Nollywood and music’s biggest stars have ended in heartbreak.
On Sunday, January 26, The news about the separation of one of Nigeria’s most adored couples in the Nigerian entertainment industry, 2Baba and Annie Idibia. The announcement sent shockwaves through the internet and left many lovers of love in shock. For many, it was a surprising turn of events, especially for those who always post “God when?” whenever they see pictures of their favorite couples on social media.
While some celebrity couples continue to stand strong like that of Adekunle Gold and Simi, or the beautiful Adesua Etomi and Banky W—others have sadly gone their separate ways.
In this article, we take a closer look at other Nigerian celebrity marriages that have hit rocky roads over the past few years.
Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz
One of the most publicized splits in recent years was that of music star Tiwa Savage and her ex-husband, Tee Billz, a music executive. Their marriage, which seemed to be a picture-perfect union, crumbled in 2016 amidst a whirlwind of shocking revelations. Tee Billz took to Instagram with explosive allegations, accusing Tiwa of infidelity, controlling behavior, and financial mismanagement and he made further accusations of Tiwa using drugs.
In an emotional interview, Tiwa opened up about the pain and emotional toll she had endured during the marriage. She countered the allegations, denying the claims of infidelity and drug use, and instead revealed that she, too, had been a victim of emotional abuse. She released a song after her split from Tee Billz, which she titled “If I Start to Talk” a song she reflected on her struggles in her marriage with Tee Billz.
Tiwa and Tee Billz tied the knot in a lavish traditional wedding ceremony in November 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria, and had their white wedding in Dubai. In 2016, The two eventually went their separate ways, and both have since moved on, they have a son together, Jamil. Tiwa continues to soar in her career, releasing steady hits and solidifying her position as one of the most influential female artists in Africa. Earlier this year, they were seen together in a viral video with their son, so they are still cool with each other after their split.
Funke Akindele and JJC
Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and music producer/artist JJC Skillz shocked fans when they announced their split in 2022, after six years of marriage together. The couple left many of their well-wishers heartbroken as they revealed that they were parting ways despite sharing twin boys together.
In a statement, JJC Skillz cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the breakup, noting that although their marriage was filled with beautiful moments, it was time for them to move forward separately. “We’ve shared beautiful moments together, but it’s time to move forward separately,” JJC wrote in a heartfelt post. The announcement came as a surprise to many, especially as the couple had previously been quite public with their love and family life.
Fans had followed Funke and JJC’s relationship journey closely, from their wedding in 2016 to the joy of welcoming their twins, and they had become one of Nigeria’s most adored celebrity couples. Their split, therefore, sparked widespread conversation and speculation, with many expressing sympathies for the family.
Funke, known for her roles in Nollywood films and TV series like Jenifa’s Diary, and JJC Skillz, a renowned music producer, and rapper, both took time off from the public eye following the announcement, focusing on co-parenting their sons and dealing with the aftermath of the breakup. Funke has also gotten over the breakup as she continues to break records with her Blockbuster movies, recently her new film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” made history as it became the highest-grossing movie of all time in West Africa.
Gbenro Ajibade and Osas Ighodaro
In 2015, the union between Nollywood stars Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade seemed like a match made in heaven. The couple’s glamorous wedding was the talk of the town, and their love story captivated fans. In 2019, after four years of marriage, the couple shocked the Nollywood world when they announced their separation.
The breakdown of their relationship became highly publicized after Gbenro took to social media to share his grievances, accusing Osas of neglecting their daughter. His post, which went viral, outlined their differences, with Gbenro revealing that he could no longer continue in the marriage due to what he called emotional and parental challenges.
Osas, known for her impressive acting career and her role in the popular TV series Tinsel, did not immediately respond publicly to Gbenro’s accusations. However, over time, both actors chose to keep the details of their separation private, focusing instead on their shared commitment to their daughter, who remains the center of their lives.
Despite their split, the ex-couple has managed to co-parent amicably, putting their daughter’s well-being above personal differences. Both Osas and Gbenro have expressed their commitment to providing a stable, loving environment for their child, and they’ve continued to focus on their careers, with Osas remaining a prominent figure in Nollywood movies and Gbenro making strides in his work as both an actor and a filmmaker.
Chacha Eke and Austin Faani
In an emotional video in 2022 by Chacha she announced her separation from filmmaker Austin Faani in 2022, revealing that she had been enduring 9 years of domestic abuse. They got married in 2013.
Chacha Eke, a well-known Nigerian actress and mother of four, expressed in the video that she could no longer continue pretending that everything was fine. “I am done pretending. This is my truth,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Throughout the video from Chacha, Eke emphasized that she had endured the abuse in silence for a long time, but the toll it took on her mental and emotional well-being was too much to bear. “No woman deserves to go through such pain, and no child should witness that,” she added, making a strong case for why it was time to step away from an unhealthy relationship for the sake of herself and her children.
Adeniyi Johnson and Toyin Aimakhu
In 2015, one of Nollywood’s most talked-about celebrity couples, actors Adeniyi Johnson and Toyin Abraham (formerly Toyin Aimakhu), made headlines when they ended their marriage amid allegations of infidelity. The dissolution of their union, which had captured the attention of fans and the media alike, was a painful chapter for both stars, but they have since moved on to new chapters in their lives.
Adeniyi Johnson confessed to cheating during their marriage but refuted claims that it was the sole reason behind the split. “I made mistakes, but I won’t say infidelity was the reason we broke up,” he explained in an interview shortly after the divorce. Despite his public acknowledgment of the betrayal, Adeniyi and Toyin both emphasized that their marriage had faced a series of challenges, and they ultimately realized that parting ways was the healthiest option for them.
At the time, the news of the breakup shocked fans who had once admired the couple’s public displays of affection. In 2017, Toyin remarried, this time to fellow actor Kolawole Ajeyemi, and are still together to date. Adeniyi, too, found love again. He remarried in 2018 to fellow actress Seyi Edun.
Toyin and Adeniyi have long moved beyond their previous marriage, focusing on their careers and families. Toyin’s career as an actress and producer continues to thrive as she keeps making Nollywood blockbuster movies with the recent success of her 2024 film “Alakada: Bad and Boujee” from the Alakada Franchise, while Adeniyi is also doing well in the Nollywood space.
