Every few years, a Nigerian celebrity announces they’re done with acting or music. Sometimes it’s “I need to focus on family.” Other times it’s “the passion is gone.” And occasionally, it’s just genuine frustration with the industry.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that in Nigerian entertainment, retirement is never really retirement. The industry has a way of dragging its faves back, and honestly? We don’t mind.
Here are the stars who swore they were done with fame only to spin the block and make a comeback.
1. Funke Akindele
Known for: Playing relatable, everyday Nigerian women
Left in: 2022
Returned in: 2023
When Funke Akindele announced in 2022 that she was putting acting on hold to join politics, her fans were shocked. After all, Jenifa had become a household name among viewers.
Akindele explained her decision to step away from Nollywood at the time was difficult but necessary. Speaking with Punch, she described it as “a huge personal sacrifice” and stressed that “no sacrifice is too huge for the actualisation of the urgent mission to rescue our people and our dear state.”
Unfortunately, she lost the gubernatorial elections and has since returned to Nollywood. In just a few years of her comeback, she’s delivered record-breaking blockbusters like A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa.
2. WAJE
Known for: Her soulful voice
Left in: 2019
Returned in: 2019
In 2019, WAJE stunned fans when she admitted she was ready to quit music. “I’m frustrated, I am really tired. I no longer believe that this thing is working,” she confessed in a viral video.
The singer explained that constant spending on promotion was draining her: “My music has been taking the bulk of the money, and I am not willing to put money there anymore.”
Less than three weeks after announcing her exit, Waje said she changed her mind, motivated partly by positive responses from fans and people who appreciated her work. Since then, she has released songs like “Vibes” with Falz.
3. Deyemi Okanlawon
Known for: Playing villains in movies
Left in: 2019
Returned in: 2020
In 2019, Deyemi shocked Nollywood fans when he announced he was done with acting. He was tired of uninspiring roles and paychecks that didn’t match his talent. In his own words to Independent Newspaper: “I wasn’t getting roles that excited me, nor the kind of pay I could take home to my family.”
But Nollywood wasn’t done with him. After COVID, Deyemi pulled a fast one on retirement and made a big-screen comeback in Omo Ghetto: The Saga. Since then, he’s been unstoppable, from Blood Sisters (one of Netflix’s most-watched Nigerian originals) to King of Boys: The Return of the King.
4. Olamide
Known for: Street Pop Music
Left in: 2020
Returned in: 2024
From Bariga to Billboard, Olamide’s story is pure legend. With classics like “Omo To Shan” and “Bobo,” he defined an entire sound and culture. But then he took the back seat, focusing on building his record label, YBNL, even though he was featured in some songs.
However, in a candid chat with BET after dropping his 2024 EP Ikigai, Olamide admitted he never thought he’d return to recording his own songs.
“I’ve been taking time out from doing my own personal project for the longest. At some point, I actually thought I wouldn’t make music anymore. I’d just be in the studio writing [for others] and all that,” he shared.
Yet music clearly wasn’t done with him. The project, featuring Fireboy DML, Asake, Pheelz, and YoungBoy, stormed the charts and debuted at #13 on the Billboard World Albums chart, a reminder that Baddo’s place as king of street pop is not shaking anytime soon.
5. Uche Elendu
Known for: Playing the Village girl in movies
Left in: 2010
Returned: 2012
Uche Elendu made her Nollywood debut in 2001’s Fear of the Unknown and quickly became a household name. But in 2010, she stepped away from the screen completely.
As she explained to Vanguard: “Naturally, as a woman who just got married and started having children, you cannot just be everywhere. You have to dedicate time to building your home.”
By 2012, though, Uche was back to acting. These days, she’s built a loyal online following on YouTube, dropping films that regularly pull in views. She’s also starred in hits like Monica the Church Girl alongside Nollywood veteran Eucharia Anunobi.
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6. Dakore Egbuson-Akande
Known for: Playing classy love interests in movies
Left in: 2011
Returned: 2017
At the peak of her career in the 2000s, Dakore seemed unstoppable, easily one of Nollywood’s most loved faces. Then, almost suddenly, she disappeared from the scene.
After getting married in 2011, she took an acting break. “When I got married, I decided to focus on nurturing my family, which took me out of the spotlight for almost six years,” she shared in a conversation with This Day.
But Dakore isn’t the kind of actress who can just quietly fade away. When she returned to acting in 2017, she came back with a bang, reminding everyone why she’s still a favourite in Nollywood. Since then, she has starred in major blockbusters like Isoken, Chief Daddy, and A Sunday Affair.
7. Terry G
Known for: Fast-tempo Afrobeats music
Left in: 2024
Returned in: 2025
In 2009, Terry G. made his big break with Free Madness, which became a cultural anthem. But in 2018, he stopped releasing music. Fast-forward to 2024, and Terry G publicly announced through his personal Instagram account that he was finally quitting music.
“I know it’s going to hurt a lot of people, but I’ve my personal reasons. I’m quitting music. I’m done. And I really appreciate you guys for showing me so much love,” the post read.
However, he made a U-turn by September 2025 when he declared he would never retire from music because it is his blood. His attempted “goodbye” turned into the ultimate hype for a comeback, complete with fresh collaborations and renewed energy.
8. Ifu Ennada
Known for: Being a Big Brother Naija housemate
Left in: 2020
Returned in: 2023
Ifu Ennada’s acting journey has been anything but straightforward. After her breakout shortly after leaving the Big Brother Naija house, she abruptly quit acting in 2020, right at the peak of COVID.
While speaking with Punch, the reality TV star shared that the decision to quit was borne out of her need to focus on her business. “I have not been acting for about three years now. I decided to take a break to focus on my business. I wanted something that would fit my lifestyle, which I would be able to take a break from,” she admitted.
Now, she’s teasing a return, promising projects that match her brand and values, including a feature film with producer Martin Gbados.
9. Shaffy Bello
Known for: Her cameo in Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit “Love Me Jeje”
Left in: 1997
Returned in: 2011
Shaffy Bello first came into the spotlight in 1997 when she appeared in Seyi Sodimu’s classic, “Love Me Jeje.” Shortly afterwards, she left the Nigerian entertainment scene and moved to the United States.
In 2011, she made her return with the Yoruba-language film Eti Keta. She later featured in Africa Magic’s Tinsel, Gbomo Gbomo Express, and It’s Her Day. Since then, she has become a Nollywood powerhouse, landing roles in blockbusters like Chief Daddy and Christmas in Lagos.
Bello has often explained that she left for family reasons. But in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, she admitted she returned because she felt stifled creatively. “I wanted to spread my wings. I felt like I was pregnant but couldn’t have a child. My wings were closed in, I was boxed in, and I needed more. My soul needed more.”
10. Nonso Diobi
Known for: Playing loverboys in movies
Left in: 2017
Returned in: 2023
Nonso Diobi was one of the OG sweethearts of old Nollywood who engraved his name in the hearts of many Nollywood lovers. In 2001, the actor made his debut in the movie Border Line and since then, he has starred in more than 80 movies.
But in 2017, Nonso suddenly disappeared from the acting scene. In an interview with Hip TV, the thespian later shared that he quit acting to get better. “I always take time off acquire more knowledge, and to kep giving my fans what they want,” he said.
He returned to Nollywood in 2023 and, since then, he has featured in a number of YouTube movies.
