By Rita Okoye
At just 28, Nollywood actress Ifeoma Obinwa is steadily carving out a niche for herself in Nigeria’s dynamic film industry. Beloved by fans for her on-screen charm and authenticity, Obinwa sat down with Sunday Sun to reflect on her journey into the fiercely competitive world of Nollywood, the hurdles she has encountered along the way, and her personal views on relationships and love.
Enjoy!
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I am from Agu-Ukwu Nri, Anambra State. I’m an over thinker, so I live in my head a lot. I feel things deeply and I’m always observing things around me. I guess that’s where my creativity comes from. I’m fascinated by people and how people’s minds work, emotions. Why people do the things they do, why they react the way they react and why they make the decisions that they make. I’ve always been interested in things like that. I think that’s why storytelling is very dear to me and it is something that I enjoy. It just feels like home to me. Outside of my work, I love my solitude, I love my space. I guess you could call me an introvert or an introverted extrovert, or how do they say it? But I love to be on my own. That’s pretty much it.
How did your journey into Nollywood kick off?
My journey into Nollywood pretty much started the same way it started for a bunch of people. I tried to get in a long time ago, say in 2012, but it just wasn’t the right time, so I paused that and went to do other things. Then I came back and I think when I came back it felt like the right time, and everything kind of took off from there. I’m a storyteller at heart, so it’s no shock that I would’ve still ended up at Nollywood. Even when I was a kid, I always participated in the school dramas and all. I’ve always been into entertainment and all those kinds of things. Anything that involves acting, singing or dancing, you would find me there. It is no surprise that I ended up in Nollywood.
One thing I enjoy and love about my work is those moments on set when something can feel or become real. Where you can see and act out things you could never think of in real life, and experience different sides of life without having to bear the real-life consequences of those actions. That’s the number one thing I enjoy and that’s what makes my job fun.
Looking back at your early days, what were some of the challenges you encountered? And how did you tackle them?
I would say I think it’s still a very general challenge that everyone faces, especially when you are just starting this new career for yourself and it’s just the challenge of just being seen, like really being seen for your talent and value you have to offer, and knowing that you’re in a market where it’s not just you. Other people are equally talented as well. That was the biggest challenge. Another challenge was that I didn’t want to be put in a box of stereotypes in any way. That’s also something that was a bit of a challenge. But it wasn’t really serious. The biggest challenge was being seen, I wanted them to know that I was good at this. I would like to say the problem tackled itself because I always just felt it and had the fear but as time went on, I got jobs, and they spoke for themselves.
Did you study Theatre Arts or any related course?
No, I did not study Theatre Arts or any related course. All I’ve done is pretty much some online training since I started my career but I’ve not gone to any academy or stuff like that.
Have you started exploring movie production yet?
Yes, I’ve started leaning into it. I’m in the phase where I’m just developing ideas, observing and learning, and paying attention to learn how things work. I don’t want to jump into it, I want to understand how it works fully before going into it. But I’m building into telling my own stories. I have stories I want to tell in my way from my point of view, the way that I see things.
The production journey is quietly unfolding. Like I said I love storytelling, filmmaking and acting so much. So, definitely production and producing are something that are definitely in my future.
What was your mother’s reaction to your choice of career, knowing how controversial the job could get?
My Mom wasn’t surprised. Because like I said, when I was a kid, I always had an interest in these things, and she used to disapprove, but I always found a way. I think deep down, she knew that at some point, this might just happen. She tried her best, but she didn’t want it to happen. Typical African parent. She wanted me to pick a very corporate career, or just be a medical doctor. She’s a nurse, and she just expected me to follow suit, but I chose my path, and at first, she wasn’t okay with it. She disapproved of it, but when she watched my series she had a change of heart. She saw things differently for the first time. She saw her daughter do this thing that she said she wanted to do, and she could tell that I was at peace with myself doing the thing that I love. So she came around, and she’s always watching. It’s all good now.
So far, any regrets?
No regrets whatsoever. I love the fact that I’ve got to do what I’ve always wanted. I love the fact that I am satisfied with curiosity, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds and what it brings, and how exciting that could be. I have absolutely no regrets when it comes to being an actress.
You turned 28 a few days ago; how does that make you feel deep down?
It truly feels beautiful. I love the fact that I’m getting older. It gives me so much to look forward to. As the years have gone by, life has gotten better. Life is beautiful. Looking back at where I was years back and where I am at 28, I’m incredibly grateful to God, and just happy that my life turned out the way it turned out. And I can’t wait to see what the rest of the years look like. 28 came with a lot of clarity, growth and maturity.
Most celebrities hide their ages, but you are different..
I don’t think it’s a celebrity thing. I think it’s a human thing. I wouldn’t say I am different because I had a time when I had my thing with age. I also have my story to tell. I would say if we stop relegating so many things to age, shaming people and things like that, then maybe people would feel a lot more comfortable talking about their age, and be honest about it. I’m no different from any other person. I think it is what comes with getting older as well. You learn to just be yourself and just accept yourself. If other people accept you, fine, and if not, fine. Another thing that comes with growing older is that you will always find your tribe. You will always find people who love and accept you the way you are. There’s no need to be what you’re not. I’ve had my fair share too.
Also, with the age thing, contributing to the age shaming, every year that one has lived is a year that one should be proud of. Because you have a story to tell. You have gone through whatever and you are still standing. Growing older is a beautiful thing.
At 28, is Ifeoma Obinwa single and ready to mingle?
Let me just say I’m single and ready to mingle. But I’m not in a rush. I enjoy and love my solitude, but I’m also open to love and all the beautiful honest, genuine things it can bring to someone’s life. I also believe in timing. I’m just letting things unfold naturally. But like I said I’m not in a rush.
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