Nollywood Celebrities Who Leveraged Controversy for Fame

Image:Tribune 

In the ever-evolving world of Nollywood, controversy has often served as a powerful tool for gaining public attention. 

While some celebrities rise purely through talent, others have found themselves thrust into the limelight due to scandal, drama, or public spats intentionally or otherwise. 

Here’s a look at a few Nollywood figures who have ridden the waves of controversy to build or boost their careers.

One of the most notable examples is Tonto Dikeh, who rose to fame not just for her acting talent, but also for her fiery personality and frequent run-ins with both fans and fellow celebrities. 

Her messy separation from ex-husband Olakunle Churchill and her blunt social media callouts kept her in the headlines for years. Despite the backlash, Tonto used the attention to transition into activism and politics, making herself relevant far beyond the screen.

Another example is Jim Iyke, the self-proclaimed “bad boy” of Nollywood. Known for his aggressive roles, Jim’s real-life altercations such as his physical clash with fellow actor Uche Maduagwu in 2021 fueled his controversial image. Rather than fading, these moments increased public curiosity, keeping his name relevant in conversations about Nollywood's most daring stars.

Iyabo Ojo, though already well-known, gained massive online visibility during her public feud with colleague Funke Akindele. Her involvement in the Baba Ijesha case, where she took a firm stand against child molestation, also drew strong reactions both support and criticism. Yet, she remained a trending name throughout, cleverly using the platform to amplify her brand.

Halima Abubakar is another actress whose career saw a surge in attention following her explosive claims against Apostle Johnson Suleman. While her health issues also drew public sympathy, it was the controversy surrounding her accusations that kept her trending, reigniting interest in her Nollywood past.

In some cases, even scandals involving fake deaths or spiritual claims have boosted public awareness. An example is Angela Okorie, who shocked fans with disturbing videos and allegations of attempted assassination. Her spiritual undertones and mysterious social media posts turned her into a subject of fascination.

While controversy is not the most sustainable strategy for long-term success, in Nollywood’s attention-driven space, it can be a fast lane to visibility. 

These celebrities prove that in an industry where attention equals value, even negative press can be turned into opportunity if managed strategically.

Though critics argue that controversy dilutes the focus on talent, the reality remains: in Nollywood, drama often sells as much as scripts.

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