There has been a surprising career shift amongst Nollywood actors/ actresses as many are currently leaving Nollywood’s glamourous limelight in doves to start new lives abroad.
The ‘Japa’ wave isn’t new, but it’s been making headlines in recent years as more and more Nigerians, celebrities inclusive, seek stability and better prospects abroad. Whether you’re an actor, teacher, or tech guru, the allure of steady income, career growth, and – let’s not forget – constant electricity is hard to ignore.
These entertainers, in a bid to chase “greener pastures,” dived into a different fields, transforming themselves into medical doctors, nurses, soldiers, and information experts.
Regardless of their new line of profession, their unique reinvention of themselves, is a reminder that no matter what one does, there’s always room to pivot and chase new dreams. And yes, while Nollywood and Nigeria may be losing some of its brightest stars to the japa wave, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how to make staying at home just as appealing as moving abroad.
Chris Bassey
Nigerian movie producer and actor Chris Bassey recently disclosed that he switched career lanes to becoming a plumber in Canada.
In September, Bassey, during a live chat on Instagram with media personality Daddy Freeze, confidently announced that he has been involved in plumbing since relocating to North American country.
He stressed that his new career fetches him better income than being in tech and also affords him a more relaxed lifestyle.
“I know you as a producer and actor, what career are you into this Yankee?” Daddy Freeze asked to which Bassey replied, “I’m into construction here. I do construction; I am a plumber.”
Taken aback by the Nollywood actor’s response, the media personality questioned his transition despite his fame.
“In the last seven months, the province I have visited just on weekends in Canada, even person wey dey do tech no fit afford am. For here, I don’t know about the UK or the US,” Bassey said in pidgin.
Regina Askia- Williams
American-based actress, model, and former beauty Queen of the University of Lagos titleholder, Regina Askia-Williams is another high-profile Nigerian movie star who swapped acting for another career after migration.
Askia bagged certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and practices in New York City after leaving the Nigerian shores.
Also, she writes and speaks publicly, advocating for African outreach in children’s health, education, and economic development.
Princess Chineke
In November, popular Nigerian actress Princess Chineke announced that she had abandoned Nollywood for the United States army.
The film star, via her Instagram, shared photos of herself in uniform, reciting the soldiers’ creed and seeking divine guidance as she embarks on the new journey.
She wrote: “I’m an American soldier. I’m a member of a team. We are the army and proud of our name, we are the army and proudly proclaim.
“I answered the call of service to my country, to serve the people of United States. This I will defend, so help me God. God bless America. What God cannot do doesn’t exist.”
McMaurice Ndubueze
Nollywood actor, McMaurice Ndubueze, widely remembered for his iconic “bad boy” roles, recently made a surprising career shift.
The actor, who is known by his stage name, Terror D’Archangel, gave us a good laugh with iconic campus life performances in the early 2000s with his role in several movies including Girls Cot, Old Testament 2, Old Testament, Ass on Fire, and Chasing the Dream is now a medical doctor in the US.
This is according to his viral photos shared on social media, which, so far, fascinated many of his fans in the industry.
Bukky Wright
Veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Wright is also among the list of movie entertainers who are now doing something totally different from what she has been known for in the industry.
The 56-year-old actress, born Oluwabukola Sekinat Ajoke Wright on 31 March 1967, is a graduate of the University of Lagos with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
The mother of two began her acting career in 1996 and has featured in several Nollywood movies in the Yoruba and English-speaking industry sectors. She is famed for her role in Wale Adenuga’s hit television series, Super Story. Meanwhile, there have been reports that the Nigerian screen diva is now an Information Security Auditor in the US.
