LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Prominent Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, widely known by his screen name “Aki,” has called on Nigerians to give greater attention to mental health, stressing that emotional well-being is as vital as physical health.
In an interview published Sunday, Ikedieze said many Nigerians silently battle personal and environmental pressures, and urged more advocacy and open dialogue around mental health. “We can’t take away mental health challenges from men and women,” he said. “Whether it’s family issues or personal battles, your level of discipline and self-control determines how you respond to life’s challenges.”
Ikedieze recently participated in a mental health and gender-based violence conference in Namibia, organized by Echoes Africa Initiatives, a New York-based nonprofit. He described the experience as eye-opening, noting that it deepened his understanding of emotional discipline and the importance of self-awareness.
“The awareness has really made me understand the craziest side of life, especially in the areas we most often neglect,” he said. “It was my first time witnessing victims and experts share their ordeals and solutions.”
The actor encouraged Nigerians to use platforms such as workshops and films to promote mental health awareness. “Feed your mind with positivity,” he advised. “And please, do whatever makes you happy. Life has no duplicate.”
Mental health advocacy has gained momentum in Nigeria in recent years, amid rising cases of depression, anxiety, and suicide, particularly among youth and public figures. Experts warn that poor awareness and limited access to care remain major obstacles.
Other celebrities have also spoken out. Nigerian singer Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, known as Iyanya, recently urged fans to show empathy toward entertainers, noting that fame does not shield them from emotional struggles. “Celebs are humans with deep feelings and struggles like everyone else,” he wrote on social media.
Ikedieze’s remarks add to a growing chorus of voices in the entertainment industry pushing for greater compassion and mental health support across Nigerian society.
