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Nollywood actor James Ikechukwu, popularly known as Jim Iyke, opened up about his life, career, and parenting approach in an exclusive interview with Naomi Chima.
Despite personal setbacks, including divorce and the loss of his mother, Iyke emphasized that his responsibilities as a father remain his top priority.
On his background, Iyke said, “About 70 per cent of what you read online about me is false, and mostly from unreliable sources.
My academic background is in Banking and Finance, and Psychology. I studied at the University of Jos, and before that, Federal Government College, Kwali, Abuja. My greatest education has come from unveiling myself as a student of the world.”
He recounted his entry into acting, explaining that a chance audition transformed a casual curiosity into a lifelong passion.
“For most people, their field of study doesn’t align with their eventual career. Life is a journey of self-discovery,” he noted. Despite family opposition, Iyke persisted. “I told my parents to give me a year or two to explore acting. Suffice it to say, I never went back.”
On the influence of acting on his life, he said, “People often warned that acting was hopeless because there was no financial stability. But my father instilled survival skills, self-confidence, and accountability. I believed acting would not be different.” He acknowledged his mother as the anchor of his dreams, describing her support as irreplaceable.
As the only son among sisters, Iyke reflected, “Growing up with women can make you tough or soft. I fought many battles defending my sisters. That advice led me into early boxing and taekwondo, which taught discipline, emotional control, and self-defense.” He also stressed the importance of life skills, such as cooking, for men.
On his career choices, Iyke said, “An actor should interpret a wide range of characters. My choices are influenced by my belief system, rooted in God and fortified by upbringing. When you play a character so well that people see a piece of you in it, that’s success.”
Discussing his latest film Sin, he added, “It reflects the current global state of affairs. Sin is a satire, a mirror to the life we live but refuse to confront. I want to create films that spark conversations.”
On fatherhood, Iyke said, “Divorce doesn’t change my role. Children copy actions, not words. I want my son to see a man who won the war, not someone distracted by petty fights. My parenting order is presence, example, sacrifice, and resilience without excuses.”
Regarding remarriage, Iyke stated, “I am very clear about this. Marriage and fame together are tough. Our child deserves stability, so we maintain a great post-divorce family.”
He also touched on his fashion sense, global travel experiences, and the need for structure and government support in Nollywood. Summing up his philosophy, he said, “Life itself is what I’m grateful for. Place me anywhere, I will excel; not because of humans, but because of God.”
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