While some of them have moved on to different professions or disappeared totally, some others are still in the movie industry, growing and entertaining movie lovers.
In the 90s, these child stars held sway in the different fields of entertainment in Nigeria. Some were child actors while others were kid musicians who achieved a measure of fame for their creative output.
Fast forward to 2017, most of them have grown, become graduates and as is often the case, they aren’t as popular as they used to be as the world has since moved on. In this report, we present a number of child celebs, their new looks and what they’ve been up to in the last decade…
1. Williams Uche
Williams who came back to the country has been giving back to the society, He started hashtag #GiveChallenge on instagram to encourage other celebrities and wealthy Nigerians to join him in helping less privilege Nigerians.
According to him:
I’m starting a #givechallenge this season to everyone on the street to help them have a good holiday as most of them can’t make ends meet.. #tag everyone you know to start this challenge.lets go. #jesuslovesyou#seekfirstGodskingdom #givechallenge#letslove
See video below..
Williams Uche Mbah has grown over time to become a responsible handsome man, see recent photos below..
2. Benita Okojie
One mention of the word, ‘Osemudiamen’ and images of this pretty all-grown up child star will flood your memory. Benita was that little girl who sang ‘Osamudiamen,’ a song that’s still very much alive in the hearts of several people today.
Benita is today a graduate of English language from Redeemers University and she still sings. Her last single, ‘Kabiyesi’ featuring gospel music act, Kenny K’ore was released in February 2015.
Benita who is now married, said she met her husband at the same university she attended – Redeemers University.
According to her:
We started out as friends and after we graduated, he wanted us to be more than friends. I prayed and asked my mum for her counsel and I felt a certain peace so I consented and I Thank God for what we share and how far we’ve come.
One year and a Baby After.
This Ekiti boy and Edo girl have had ups and downs but God has continued to lead the way.
May we continue to let God take the lead in our lives and home.
May we kick life in the butt together.
3. Azeez Ijajuade
Every child who grew up watching indigenous Yoruba movies will definitely remember watching Azeez as Ola in the classic movie, “Iru Esin.”
He played the role of Ola in the hugely popular 1994 classic movie, Jensimi along with his father, Waheed Ijaduade and Ebun Oloyede now popularly called Olaiya Igwe.
Now he’s all grown up and produces movies of his own as well.
4. Shanko Rasheed
How can you not remember this kid Fuji music sensation who churned out a number of hit songs in the 90s? Shanko was able to go back to school after some years, studying Business Administration at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.
Shanko Rasheed will be remembered for his smash hit album, Agreement released under Olasco records.
5. Tosin Jegede
80’s child star singer, Tosin Jegede was the brain behind the hit song, ‘Parents listen to your children’.
She began her music career at the age of 4 in the 1980s and released three albums. She now holds a degree in Business Decision and Analysis from the University of Bristol, England.
Jegede signed a 25-year music contract with Polygram Records back in 1989, a period that saw her as the biggest child singing sensation in Nigeria.
Jegede was well known for the reflective message in her music – highlighting issues with parents and children. She released two albums before relocating to the UK to further her studies.
6. Chinenye Oguejiofor
Chineye was a famous kid actress. Her role in the movie, Blood Sisters in which she played the role of Omotola Jalade’s daughter brought her to limelight.
She’s currently studying at the Department of Dental Surgery, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and working on making her way back to Nollywood where it all began for her.
7. Somadina Adinma
As a child actor, Somadina was very a regular face in Nollywood films. All grown up now, Somadina is a student of Theatre Arts at UNIZIk and he’s still very much involved in acting.
8. Isosiya Dokubo
He’s the first son of Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo. He started acting from about five years old, now 22, Isosiya is a graduate of Middlesex University, England where he studied Information Technology with Business Information Systems.
During his time as a kid actor, he featured in more than 20 movies include Without Love, Angel, Dead End, Burden, Abandon and The Widow.
9. Oge Nwuba
Remember the 1999 movie, After school hours? Yea, Oge was that little girl that made headlines for her starring role the movie. She went on to feature in a couple of movies before proceeding to study Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Oge is fully back to acting now.
10. Peter Bunor Jnr
This child star and son of late veteran actor, Peter Bunor ruled as a kid actor in the 90s. He broke the hearts of thousands of fans when he vanished from the television screens about twelve years ago.
Rumours had it that his late dad stopped him from acting. In a recent interview with Vanguard, he said: ‘I feel there is a great need for formal education, it’s a very strongly held personal opinion. Hopefully, I’d return to the industry when the right thing pops up.’
11. Chibuzo Mercy-Idowu
Fondly called Chi Chi of Africa, this grown woman who is in her 30s began singing at the age of 7. With six albums to her credit, Chi Chi was indeed very famous back in those days.
With her father as her manager, they travelled round the world together and she’s currently working on a comeback album.