To the outside world, Nigerian celebrities often seem to live perfect lives filled with fame, money, glamorous events, and constant attention. Social media shows the luxury, success, and happy moments, but behind the scenes, many stars quietly struggle with serious personal battles. The pressure to stay relevant, demanding work schedules, loneliness, and painful life experiences have pushed some entertainers into addiction and unhealthy habits.
For years, issues like substance abuse and addiction were rarely discussed openly in the entertainment industry because of shame and public judgment. But things are slowly changing. More celebrities in Nollywood and the music industry are beginning to speak honestly about their struggles, their lowest moments, and the difficult road to recovery. By sharing their stories, they are helping people see addiction differently, breaking the stigma around it, and encouraging others facing similar problems to seek help and healing.
Here are 10 Nigerian celebrities who have bravely spoken about their struggles with addiction and their journey toward healing.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu — Smoking Addiction
Media personality and Big Brother Naija host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu shocked many Nigerians in May 2026 after opening up about his long and intense battle with cigarette addiction, a habit he secretly struggled with for 13 years before finally quitting in 2008.
Ebuka made the revelation during an episode of his podcast, MENtality with Ebuka, which premiered on Friday, May 22, 2026, across streaming platforms. The episode, which featured singer Banky W and health influencer Aproko Doctor, focused on addiction, peer pressure and the growing culture of behavioral dependency in Nigeria.
During the conversation, Ebuka revealed that his smoking habit began while he was still in Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3). What started as teenage experimentation gradually developed into a serious nicotine dependency that followed him into adulthood.
According to him, the addiction became significantly worse after he entered the university. By that stage, he had become a heavy chain-smoker, consuming nearly two packs of cigarettes (about 40 sticks) every day.
Reflecting on that period of his life, Ebuka admitted that smoking had become more than just a habit. He explained that, like many addictions, it was tied to deeper emotional and psychological triggers, including stress, escapism and the constant search for temporary relief or pleasure.
His turning point came in early 2008 when he decided to quit smoking as a personal commitment during the Christian Lenten season. Ebuka revealed that he smoked his final cigarette on the day before Ash Wednesday in February 2008 and never returned to the habit afterward.
Unlike many people who replace one addiction with another coping mechanism, Ebuka said he relied heavily on conscious self-discipline, intentional lifestyle changes and personal accountability to remain smoke-free. Nearly two decades later, he says he has not touched a cigarette since quitting.
Ice Prince — Smoking, Cannabis and Alcohol Dependency
Veteran Nigerian rapper Ice Prince has also spoken candidly about his long struggle with smoking, cannabis dependency and unhealthy lifestyle habits, admitting that the addiction quietly controlled major parts of his adult life despite his calm and polished public image. The rapper, whose real name is Panshak Henry Zamani, revealed that his dependency on cigarettes and cannabis developed gradually during his years in music studios and nightlife environments.
According to Ice Prince, one of the biggest turning points that worsened his addiction was learning how to roll cannabis joints himself while working in recording studios. Reflecting on that period years later, he described the skill as one of his greatest regrets.
“One of the worst things I wish I could unlearn is how to roll,” he admitted during an interview. “If I hadn’t learnt that, I probably wouldn’t have smoked.”
In May 2025, Ice Prince publicly opened up about the emotional and financial damage caused by his cannabis addiction. He admitted that smoking heavily influenced his moods and daily lifestyle, but also confessed that the habit became extremely expensive and emotionally destructive.
He acknowledged that his addiction negatively affected relationships around him and admitted that some of his past decisions caused emotional pain to people close to him.
Months later, on March 24, 2026, Ice Prince shared a celebratory message on his official X account declaring himself a “free, healthy and happy non-smoker.” According to him, quitting cigarettes and cannabis completely became one of the best decisions he had ever made.
He further disclosed that he had also stayed away from alcohol, soda and energy drinks for nearly a year as part of a broader commitment to rebuilding his health and discipline.
Following rumours about his noticeable weight loss, Ice Prince addressed the speculation again on April 30, 2026, denying ever using hard drugs or artificial weight-loss substances. Instead, he explained that his physical transformation came from a disciplined wellness routine involving intermittent fasting, celibacy, eating once daily and eliminating sugar, alcohol, soda, pasta and processed foods.
Yung6ix — Marijuana Addiction
Nigerian rapper Yung6ix openly admitted that he battled a severe marijuana addiction for more than two decades, revealing that the habit consumed millions of naira, affected his mental health and eventually pushed him to publicly seek help.
The rapper, whose real name is Onome Onokohwomo, disclosed that his dependency on marijuana, popularly known as “Igbo” or weed began in 2004 when he was still very young. One of his earliest major public confessions came in November 2018 after he suffered financial losses and emotional exhaustion linked to the addiction.
At the time, Yung6ix admitted on social media that almost all the money he earned from music was being spent on marijuana. He revealed that he previously spent more than ₦1.5 million monthly funding the habit before reducing it to around ₦1 million. He also admitted that losing over ₦11 million worsened his depression and emotional struggles.
After battling the dependency for over 21 years, Yung6ix reached another breaking point on May 15, 2025, when he publicly appealed for help through his official X account.
“Coming out today to tell everyone I need help,” he wrote. “I’ve been smoking for 21 years now, and my body is telling me to stop. I’m trying, but it’s not easy.” He added that although he had reduced his marijuana spending to about $600 monthly, he desperately wanted to quit completely.
Following the confession, fellow rapper Phenom and other colleagues publicly supported him and encouraged him through his recovery journey.
Gaise Baba — Pornography Addiction
Afro-fusion gospel artist Gaise Baba surprised many people within Nigeria’s Christian community in 2025 after openly revealing that he battled a long-term addiction to pornography despite being deeply committed to his faith from a young age.
The singer, whose real name is Akinade Ibuoye, shared the deeply personal story during an emotional appearance on Chude Jideonwo’s #WithChude show on July 12, 2025.
Gaise Baba explained that his struggle with pornography began in 2001 when he was just 15 years old, shortly after he signed and submitted a written “covenant of purity” to his pastor, promising to abstain from premarital sex. Ironically, he said it was immediately after making the spiritual commitment that he became trapped in pornography addiction.
The dependency lasted for years and became one of the most difficult private battles of his life because it constantly conflicted with his spirituality and public image as a gospel artist.
Even after marrying his wife, Funto, in 2014 as virgins, the struggle did not disappear immediately. Gaise Baba admitted that marriage alone did not instantly cure the addiction and that overcoming it required accountability, healing and intentional effort.
Reflecting on the experience, the singer said the battle taught him humility and made him realize that “under the right temperature and pressure, any man can fall.” He said his decision to publicly share his experience was meant to break the silence surrounding behavioral addictions within religious spaces.
Don Richard — Smoking and Alcohol
Veteran Nollywood actor and director Don Richard became the center of emotional public conversations in 2025 after opening up about the devastating health consequences linked to his past smoking and drinking habits.
The actor admitted that he spent years indulging in heavy smoking and alcohol consumption before eventually deciding to completely stop both habits. However, in July 2025, Don Richard revealed that exactly two years after quitting smoking and drinking, he suddenly became critically ill.
Medical examinations later diagnosed him with kidney disease, spinal cord complications and an enlarged bladder, conditions that eventually required dialysis and extensive treatment.
Videos first surfaced online on July 3, 2025, showing colleagues visiting him during his hospitalization. Weeks later, on July 29, 2025, Don Richard emotionally detailed his struggles during an appearance on actress Biola Adebayo’s YouTube show, Talk to B.
During the interview, he revealed that he had sold his house, car and personal belongings to fund treatment and publicly appealed for ₦50 million to continue his kidney care.
In April 2026, he also debunked false rumors claiming he had died, assuring fans through Instagram that he was still alive and fighting through recovery.
Tonto Dikeh — Smoking and Alcohol Addiction
Tonto Dikeh later revealed that her addiction struggles began as far back as 1998 when she started smoking cigarettes at just 13 years old because smoking had been normalized around her by her father’s own heavy habit.
As her fame in Nollywood grew between 2006 and 2021, her dependency expanded into heavy alcohol abuse. The actress admitted that she became an isolated drinker who regularly consumed large bottles of vodka alone at home until she blacked out completely. She also battled severe anger issues, emotional instability and panic attacks for more than 20 years.
Her major turning point came on December 14, 2025, during a testimony session at Streams of Joy International Church led by Pastor Jerry Eze. During the emotional testimony, Tonto revealed that she reached a point where she could no longer continue with addiction while seeking spiritual transformation.
She explained that feelings of shame over the smell of cigarette smoke and the condition of her body became the catalyst that pushed her to walk away from cigarettes and alcohol completely after nearly 27 years.
Crayon — Hard Drugs, Prescription Medication and Mental Health Struggles
Former Mavin Records artist Crayon publicly revealed that his battle with drugs was deeply connected to depression, family pressure and the exhausting demands of fame.
After signing to Mavin Records in May 2019 and releasing his debut EP Cray Cray, the singer said the lack of immediate success during the 2020 lockdown triggered severe depression.
As his emotional condition worsened, Crayon became heavily dependent on codeine, marijuana, tramadol and skuchies, eventually requiring psychiatric hospitalization.
Even after achieving success with Ijo (Laba Laba) in 2022, the pressure intensified because he was financially responsible for many extended family members while trying to remain relevant in the industry.
At one point during his breakdown, Crayon said he removed his shirt, smashed his phone and wandered barefoot outside the Mavin office before fellow artist Rema and management intervened and rushed him back to treatment.
He first publicly discussed his drug history on November 19, 2023, before fully detailing the psychiatric admissions and recovery process in an emotional interview with Korty EO published on September 21, 2024.
On April 9, 2026, Crayon revisited the experience during a livestream with Carter Efe, warning young artists against sacrificing their mental health while carrying overwhelming family burdens.
Timaya — Molly Addiction
Timaya revealed in February 2024 that he once battled a dangerous addiction to MDMA, popularly known as Molly, during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
According to the singer, the addiction started in 2020 after younger people around him introduced him to the drug when he noticed they constantly appeared happier than he was despite his fame and success.
The dependency escalated quickly, with Timaya consuming as many as three Molly pills daily at the peak of the addiction.
The habit severely affected his physical health, caused dramatic weight loss, weakened his immune system and damaged his business relationships, costing him endorsement deals and millions of naira.
Realizing he was approaching a dangerous breaking point, the singer isolated himself abroad and privately battled withdrawal symptoms without attending a rehabilitation center.
Timaya later revealed that his 2021 hit song Cold Outside featuring BNXN was heavily inspired by the emotional darkness and loneliness he experienced while battling addiction.
He eventually opened up fully about the experience during an interview on The Beat 99.9 FM’s Morning Rush show on February 8, 2024.
Hanks Anuku — Alcohol Abuse and Depression
Hanks Anuku’s struggles with addiction and mental health became one of Nollywood’s most controversial public conversations after disturbing videos of the actor surfaced online in November 2022. Known for playing gangster and “bad boy” roles during Nollywood’s golden era, Anuku later admitted that fame exposed him to reckless living, heavy drinking and promiscuity during his peak years between 2002 and 2004.
In 2013, he reportedly visited the Synagogue Church of All Nations where he testified that Pastor T.B. Joshua helped deliver him from alcohol abuse, mental instability and drug-related struggles.
However, public concern intensified after videos emerged on November 14, 2022 showing him wandering around in tattered clothes while speaking to himself. The clips triggered widespread rumours that he had become mentally unstable due to hard drug abuse.
On November 21, 2023, Anuku publicly denied using hard drugs but admitted that depression pushed him into excessive alcohol consumption because of unemployment, financial hardship and his inability to care for his children.
He later clarified during a June 8, 2024 interview with Lucky Udu that the viral 2022 footage was actually part of a rehearsal for a movie role as a mentally unstable man.
According to him, the misunderstanding permanently damaged his career and strained family relationships because many people genuinely believed he had lost his sanity.
Banky W — Pornography and Promiscuity Addiction
Singer, pastor and music executive Banky W has repeatedly spoken openly about his long battle with pornography and promiscuity, revealing that the struggle intensified during the peak of his music career despite his fame, wealth and success.
According to the Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) founder, his addiction developed between 2008 and 2012 while he was enjoying massive commercial success in the Nigerian music industry.
Reflecting on that phase of his life, Banky W explained that although he appeared successful on the outside, he privately felt emotionally empty and spiritually broken. He described pornography and promiscuity as coping mechanisms he turned to while trying to fill what he later called a deep internal “God void.”
For years, the singer kept the struggle private until January 8, 2022, when he publicly addressed it during an appearance on the LinkedIn Visibility Lunch Hour show.
During the interview, Banky W admitted that he felt trapped and emotionally imprisoned during parts of his early career, explaining that the addiction controlled his behavior in ways many people around him never realized.
His most emotional public disclosure came on Sunday, June 25, 2023, during a sermon titled The Prison of Pornography delivered at his church. Preaching before a congregation that included his wife, actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington, seated in the front row, Banky W emotionally detailed how difficult his recovery process had been.
According to him, his wife became one of his strongest accountability partners during the healing journey. He revealed that during trips and isolated hotel stays, he often remained on long phone calls with her for hours to resist temptation and avoid relapsing into old habits.
Most recently, on May 22, 2026, Banky W revisited the topic during a special addiction-focused episode of MENtality with Ebuka alongside Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Aproko Doctor.
During the conversation, the singer reflected on the psychological side of addiction, explaining that many behavioral dependencies function like subconscious cycles that slowly overpower human willpower if left unchecked.
Conclusion
The stories shared by these celebrities prove that addiction does not discriminate. Fame, money and success often hide private battles many people never see. By speaking openly about their struggles, these stars have helped reduce the stigma around addiction, mental health and recovery.
Their experiences also show that rock bottom is not always the end. For many of them, it became the beginning of healing, self-awareness and personal transformation.
