Ever wondered what your favourite celebrities were doing before the fame, red carpets, and sold-out shows?
Believe it or not, many of today’s A-listers once worked regular jobs just like the rest of us, from office desks to market stalls. From electricians to bankers, DJs to housemaids, here are 35 surprising jobs Nigerian celebs did before the spotlight found them.
Nollywood Stars
1. Nancy Isime
Before Nollywood and TV fame, Nancy worked as a model to support her education. She later became a presenter on shows like The Squeeze and What’s Hot, before landing her first acting role in Echoes (2011).
2. Muyiwa Ademola
He began his journey as a storyteller in primary school. After secondary school, he continued writing scripts and eventually got his big break through Charles Olumo. He studied Adult Education at the University of Ibadan.
3. Kunle Afolayan
Before becoming a top filmmaker, Kunle worked in a bank after studying Economics at the University of Lagos. He later pursued filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.
4. Uche Nancy
Before directing and producing Nollywood hits, she was a costume designer for over 15 years on films like World Apartand Girls Court.
5. Mercy Aigbe
Mercy first studied Financial Studies and worked in banking before switching to Theatre Arts. She also ran a cosmetics and fashion accessories shop.
6. Uche Montana (Uche Nwaefuna)
She started as a model while studying and had dreams of becoming a beauty queen or newscaster. Her big break came with the film Poison Ivy.
7. Timini Egbuson
Before acting, Timini worked as a model and marketing executive. He also served as his sister Dakore’s PA and has a degree in Psychology from UNILAG.
8. Ruth Kadiri
She holds diplomas in Business Administration and Mass Communication. Before acting, she co-founded a fashion line and wrote scripts for Nollywood.
9. Femi Adebayo
Before becoming a Yoruba movie king, Femi was a practicing lawyer with a Master’s in Law. Acting started as a hobby.
10. Uzor Arukwe
He spent 10 years in corporate roles—five in telecoms, five in retail—before diving into acting. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration.
11. Ini Dima-Okojie
Ini quit her job in investment banking to follow her acting dreams, eventually training at the New York Film Academy.
12. Maurice Sam
Before acting, he worked as a DJ and performed in church plays. His passion for music and movies led him to Nollywood.
13. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson was once a housemaid and hawker who worked several menial jobs to support her family before breaking into acting.
14. Joseph Benjamin
Before co-hosting Project Fame, Joseph was a security guard, bus conductor, waiter, and shoe seller.
15. Ibrahim Yekini (Itele d Icon)
Before he ventured into the Nigerian movie industry, Itele was a skilled boxer who once revealed he never lost a fight.
16. Ibrahim Chatta
He worked as a conductor, bus driver, and puff-puff/ice cream vendor before choosing acting full-time.
Musicians
17. Tems
Before Grammy wins and Coachella, Tems worked as a digital marketer—but was so bad at it that she was demoted to a personal assistant!
18. Mayorkun
Mayorkun was a banker and ACCA student. He once said, “If we ranked the workers, I was right above the help.”
19. Joeboy
Joeboy worked as a marketer at a pure water factory during a university strike, handing out fliers and products around Lagos.
20. Banky W
In the US, Banky worked at McDonald’s, in clothing stores, and even sold knives door-to-door to fund his education.
21. Peter & Paul Okoye (formerly P-Square)
Before fame, Paul fixed electronics and Peter worked at a supermarket and fixed fans. They even stole N100,000 to fund their move to Lagos.
22. Timaya
The “Plantain Boy” wasn’t joking—he used to sell plantain on the streets before fame found him.
23. Patoranking
Before blowing up, Patoranking sold rat poison and worked as a bricklayer. He shared his story while winning the Headies Next Rated award.
24. Don Jazzy
Before his Mavin empire, Don Jazzy worked as a security guard at McDonald’s in London and played drums in church.
25. Adekunle Gold
AG Baby worked at Jumia and Konga, and also designed graphics—including the iconic YBNL logo—before his music took off.
26. Flavour
He started as a church drummer and pianist in Enugu and later studied music formally before blowing up as a highlife sensation.
27. Ayra Starr
Ayra started as a fashion model at 16 and appeared in music videos before her vocals earned her a spot on Mavin Records.
28. Teni
Teni studied Business Administration in the U.S. and was known for her basketball skills and drumming in school before going viral for her freestyles.
29. Niniola
Before fame, Niniola was a teacher during her teaching practice and later became a school supervisor before diving into music full-time.
30. Reminisce
When music wasn’t paying, Reminisce sold sneakers and clothes in Yaba market. It took 9ice’s encouragement to reignite his music journey.
31. iLLBliss
iLLBliss worked in three banks over four years, rising to assistant manager before relocating to the UK. There, he did odd jobs like cleaning and security before Obi Asika encouraged him to return and restart music in Nigeria.
Reality Stars & Others
32. BamBam (Bamike Olawunmi)
She earned a degree in Microbiology and worked professionally in the field before switching careers to study acting at the Royal Arts Academy.
33. Doyin David
Before BBNaija fame, Doyin was a certified medical radiographer and proudly shares her healthcare background.
34. Yinka Ayefele
He began as a radio broadcaster in the ’80s and lent his voice to iconic shows before a 1997 accident led him into gospel music.
35. Kiekie (Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori)
Before gaining popularity as a content creator, Kiekie worked as a fashion stylist—she even styled singer Simi! She also created branded content for companies and once produced a clothing line show in Ibadan.
Conclusion
These inspiring stories prove that greatness doesn’t always start with glitz and glam. Some of your favourite celebs once walked miles in your shoes, literally and figuratively.
So, the next time you’re stuck in traffic or grinding through a 9-to-5, just remember: every star has a backstory. And yours might be the next success story worth telling.
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