Fame has a way of making it seem like celebrity couples have always had it all. But long before the money and fame, many of Nigeria’s most famous couples were figuring life out together.
Here’s a list of some of our favourite sweethearts.
Adekunle Gold & Simi
Before they became our favourite music power couple, Adekunle Gold was a graphic designer, while Simi was still finding her footing as a singer when they met at one of her performances in 2013. Over time, their friendship grew, and they kept their relationship private for years before getting married in 2019.
Olamide & Bukunmi
They’ve been together since 2008, back when Olamide was still performing at small gigs. She stayed by his side through the early years of his career, long before his breakout in 2010.
After nearly a decade together, Olamide proposed in 2018, and the couple got married soon after. Since then, they’ve built a private family life.
Peter Okoye & Lola Omotayo
They met in the early 2000s at a corporate event in Enugu, long before P-Square blew up. At the time, Peter was still chasing his big break, while Lola already had a successful corporate career. Peter sometimes still jokes about being a “gold digger” because Lola supported him financially.
Omotola Jalade & Captain Matthew Ekeinde
When Omotola married Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996, she was still a student and a year into her Nollywood career. As her fame grew, Matthew was there every step of the way. Omotola has credited him with being her biggest cheerleader as she became one of Africa’s biggest movie stars.
Timi & Busola Dakolo
Timi and Busola Dakolo met at House on the Rock church in 2010. They started dating when Timi was fresh off his win on Idols West Africa and on the rise in the music industry. Busola still jokes about those early struggles, especially the branded Kia Picanto Timi won on the show. She’d tease him about how funny it looked and even asked him not to park it where her co-workers could see.
Real Warri Pikin (Anita) & Ikechukwu Asuoha
They got married in 2013, just after she left school. Their marriage started with very little, and they later opened up about how years of financial struggles and debt nearly tore them apart before Anita finally got her big break in comedy.
In 2023, they celebrated their 10th anniversary with the dream wedding renewal they couldn’t afford when they first got married.
Deyemi & Damilola Okanlawon
They first met as students at UNILAG, while Deyemi helped his mum’s baking business by selling bread and cakes long before his acting career.
They tied the knot in 2013, and just months later, Damilola backed Deyemi’s decision to leave his corporate job and pursue acting. More than 15 years later, they’re still building life together.
Omoni & Nnamdi Oboli
They first met on a movie set in 1996, but after that film, she stepped away from Nollywood to finish school and focus on her family.
Omoni and Nnamdi married for nine years before Omoni returned to Nollywood in 2009. They built her career together, with Nnamdi becoming both her manager and business partner.
Tara & Fela Durotoye
Tara and Fela Durotoye met through a mutual friend in 1998, who introduced them because he thought they’d be a good match. At the time, Tara was a law student building House of Tara from her living room, while Fela was squatting with the friend and exploring different business ideas.
They got married in 2001 and built their dreams side by side, supporting each other through the early hustle before becoming two of Nigeria’s most respected entrepreneurs.
Peter & Margaret Obi
They got married in 1992, long before Obi entered politics. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a trader before building a successful business career, and the couple spent more than a decade building their family and businesses together.
It wasn’t until Peter became Governor of Anambra State in 2006 that they stepped into the spotlight.
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