Celebrity marriages are commonly short-lived and very turbulent and Nollywood has had its fair share of heartbreaking celebrity breakups and divorces.
Most stars have had their marriages torn apart because of either the roles they play in movies, or having a partner who doesn’t support their talent. The ability to remain in the profession and business of acting and keep a healthy marriage is indeed worthy of celebration.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 14 Nollywood bigwigs whose marriages have stood the test of time, lasting over fifteen years.
1. Zack Orji and Ngozi Orji
Zack Orji is a veteran Nollywood actor and former president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria.
Orji got married on the 3rd of January, 1988 to Ngozi Orji who joined the Nollywood scene in 1994. The marriage which has lasted over three decades has been a fruitful union and had three children.
The duo have featured in numerous movies together including Crying Mother, Deadly Affair, and Women’s Cot.
2. Liz Benson and Bishop Great Emeya
Liz Benson, one of the pioneers in Nollywood is an actress, TV personality, and ordained evangelist.
She got married to husband Bishop Great Emeya in 2009 and having been ordained as an evangelist and currently running the Freedom Family Assembly in Warri, Delta State, the couple is deeply involved in a Christian Evangelical Ministry, and the movement of spreading the gospel.
3. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Matthew Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, MFR is an prolific actress, singer, former model, and a Nollywood leading lady got married to her husband Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996 and have been married for almost thirty years.
Matthew is an aircraft pilot working with Air Peace and has four children with his wife Omotola.
4. Richard Mofe-Damijo and Jumobi Adegbesan
Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD is a renowned figure in Nollywood. He is an actor, writer, producer, and former journalist.
The nollywood veteran got married to his second wife Jumobi Adegbesan after the passing of his first in 2000 and have been married for 25 years.
Jumobi is a Nigerian TV show host and media personality. She has left her TV presenting role for the corporate world.
5. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva
A star couple, Olu and Joke’s marriage is one of the most heartwarming and longstanding in the Nigerian entertainment space.
Married for more than 35 years, the duo tied the knot in 1989 and has since had three children.
Even with the health challenges Jacob sufferers, Joke has remained with him, continuously providing support and strength to her husband. Their union is one to emulate.
6. Chioma and Franklin Akpotha
Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha is a distinguished actress, filmmaker, and movie director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a leading role” for her performance in the movie “Sins of the flesh” in 2007, and the Afro Hollywood award for best actress in a lead role in 2010.
Akpotha got married to her husband whom she refers to as her best friend in 2006. The couple has since had three children and have been married for 19 years.
7. Omoni and Nnamdi Oboli
Omoni Oboli is a creative actress, scriptwriter and film director. She got married to her husband Nnamdi Oboli in 2000 and has been married for 25 years.
The couple has been open about their relationship and early this year, Omoni revealed that she had never thought of quitting her marriage.
Omoni and Nnamdi’s fruitful union has brought forth three sons namely; Gozi, Chizi, and Tobe Oboli.
8. Ramsey and Emelia Philps Nouah
Ramsey Nouah, born Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah is a celebrated Nigerian actor and director. He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010 for his performance in the movie The Figurine.
Nouah got married to Emelia Philips-Nouah in 2002. The couple has two sons named Quincy Nouah and Joshua Nouah and one daughter named Desiree Nouah.
On having been able to keep his marriage intact for this long, he said;
“My wife is the power-house of my family. If it were not for her, I would not have been able to keep a family together. She is such a wonderful woman. I always price her above other women
9. Patrick and Ireti Doyle
Patrick Doyle is a veteran Nollywood actor and broadcaster. He gained popularity in the 90s and early 2000s for his role in movies as a pastor or religious figure.
After losing his first wife to sickle cell anemia, Doyle got married to Veteran actress Iretiola Doyle in 2004 and had five kids.
After being married for 19 years, Patrick and Iretiola unfortunately got a divorce in 2023.
Their union remains a memorable one in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
10. Ufuoma McDermott
Ufuoma McDermott is an actress, director, and amongst many other titles she holds, she is a former beauty pageant queen, and Miss Nigeria 2003’s first runner-up.
The actress got married on 23 April 2010 to Steven McDermott, a businessman, broadcaster, and author. She officially changed her name to Ufuoma McDermott on 23 May 2014 at a Lagos high court.
11. Charley Boy
Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charley Boy is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actor, TV presenter, and producer known for his creativity, political views, and social activeness.
He has been married to African-American singer and former fashion designer Diane for over thirty years. They got married in 1979 and have since had children but Charley Boy also has children from past relationships. Some of his kids are named Adaeze Oputa, Dominique Oputa, Alexander Oputa, Anwuli Oputa, and Yvonne Oputa.
12. Norbert and Gloria Young
Another celebrity Nollywood couple is the Youngs. Both prolific actors, the couple tied the knot in 2002 and have been married for over 15 years.
They are proud parents of three beautiful kids. Despite several rumours, the couple has stood the test of time and is still going strong.
13. Bob-Manuel and Cassandra Udokwu
Bob-Manuel Udokwu, one of the pioneers of Nollywood is a veteran actor, movie producer, and politician.
He got married to his wife Cassandra Udokwu on February 19th, 2000 and has been married for 25 years.
The couple met when he was doing his master’s degree program at the University of Lagos, while she was an undergraduate at the university. They have two children: Elyon Chinaza and Marcus Garvey.
14. Afeez and Olaide Oyetoro
Afeez and Olaide Oyetoro got married in 2003 and have had three children together; two sons, Abdullah and Mumin Oyetoro, and a daughter, Rodiat Oyetoro.
Afeez Oyetoro is Nigerian comedian, actor, and artist, popularly known as ‘Saka’. His marriage has lasted for more than two decades now and it continues to strengthen and stand the test of time.
