Fame often changes everything. Sometimes it builds bridges, other times it quietly burns them. For Lateef Adedimeji, one of Nollywood’s most admired actors, two familiar names have recently brought attention to the cracks that can appear when success arrives. Their stories, shared days apart, sound like echoes of one another and have stirred questions about whether pride or simple oversight is at play.
Itu Iberu: Once Roommates, Now Distant Colleagues
It began when veteran Yoruba actor Itu Iberu Kehinde appeared in an interview with fellow actor Jeff Owolewa. Speaking in Yoruba, he recalled how he once shared a single room with Lateef Adedimeji, another colleague, Ijalo, and 4 others during their struggling days in Lagos. At the time, all three were young, ambitious, and hungry for the smallest acting opportunities. Itu described how their bond grew out of survival, how they leaned on one another through the uncertainty of early careers.
Years later, Itu said that bond seemed to fade. He explained that after Lateef became a household name, he could no longer reach him. He claimed that calls went unanswered and even when picked, the promises to call back was never kept. When the two men eventually met at a film location recently, Lateef reportedly told him he should have called earlier so he could be part of his historical project Lisabi. Itu responded that he had tried many times but Lateef never picked up.
Rather than sound bitter, Itu spoke with calm acceptance. He told Jeff that perhaps it was not yet his time and that when the right moment comes, fame and help would reach him easily and without stress. The remark resonated with many who have felt overlooked by those they once struggled beside. Itu’s quiet honesty made the story more powerful because it came from someone respected for his humility and endurance.
Itu Iberu is one of the many actors who shaped Yoruba film culture in the early 2000s. Known for dependable supporting roles and comic timing, he built his reputation on work ethic rather than hype. His relationship with Lateef goes back to a period when both men were unknown, hustling from set to set. Hearing him speak of distance and silence carried emotional weight for those who know what those early days were like.
Enter Habibat Jinad: A Parallel Story
Not long after Itu’s interview began circulating online, actress Habibat Jinad shared a video on her Instagram page that extended the conversation. Sitting in her car, she played Itu’s clip first and then spoke directly to the camera. Her tone was measured but personal. She said Itu’s story reminded her of what she also went through with Lateef Adedimeji.
According to her, she had approached Lateef to feature in a film she was producing. Instead, she claimed, he told her that he only works with “fortunate people”. After that exchange, she said, he blocked her on social media and WhatsApp for four years, only unblocking her in January 2025. She said:
“He told me he only works with fortunate people.
“After that, he blocked me. For four years, I was blocked. He just unblocked me this January.”
According to Habibat, the issue was not rejection but the way it was handled. She said she had always admired Lateef and never imagined their professional relationship would end that way.
Habibat Jinad, known to many as Omo Jinad, has been part of the Yoruba movie industry for over a decade. She is both an actress and producer with credits in films such as Igba Aje, Omo Oni Irin and Omo Pupa. She also works as a presenter and is admired for her openness with fans online. She added that her decision to share her experience publicly was not to provoke anyone but out of reflection. She said Itu’s words struck her deeply because they mirrored what she had once felt.
The similarities between both accounts caught the attention of the public. Within days, clips of Itu’s interview and Habibat’s video flooded entertainment blogs Instagram and X. Fans were divided as comment sections were split between sympathy and defence. Some believed fame naturally creates distance and that people should not take it personally. Others argued that Lateef might have outgrown old circles, consciously or otherwise.
Lateef Adedimeji: The Man in the Middle
Lateef Adedimeji, who has yet to comment on either story, remains one of the most celebrated actors in Nollywood today. Born in Lagos in 1986, he started in stage productions before rising to prominence with the film Kudi Klepto.
He has since become a major name in both Yoruba and English productions, delivering memorable performances in Ayinla, Jagun Jagun and Aníkúlápó Rise of the Spectre.
His emotional style and poetic Yoruba delivery have earned him praise from fans and peers alike. Married to fellow actress Bimpe Oyebade, he has built a reputation for discipline and professionalism. That quiet image made the current conversation even more striking.
The October wave of reactions turned what could have been a brief online story into a larger discussion about friendship, access and the hidden cost of success. Itu’s calm recollection might have faded with time, but Habibat’s response reignited it and gave it a new, viral energy. Reacting to the viral call out videos, some fans saw it as a necessary conversation about forgotten loyalty, others as a case of misunderstood expectations.
Conclusion
Beyond the noise, the story captures a recurring reality in entertainment and the real world. The reality is that a success changes relationships. Calls once returned quickly may go unanswered. Invitations might never reach the right hands. What feels like pride to one person may simply be exhaustion or focus to another. Itu chose reflection over resentment. Habibat chose to express herself rather than keep silent. And Lateef, at least for now, has chosen not to respond at all.
This situation serves as a reminder that fame magnifies even the smallest missteps. Whether the distance was intentional or accidental, the conversation it sparked has reminded many that every rise comes with a reckoning and that silence can speak louder than any denial.