By Clement Abayomi
The journey from movie sets to ministry has become an increasingly familiar narrative in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Over the past two decades, several prominent Nollywood actors and actresses have become ministers of God, answering what they believe is divine call to ministry. This transition is sometimes met with doubts and criticisms, and other times with celebration of newfound paths. This article highlights ten notable actors and actresses who have made this remarkable transition from entertainment to ministry. The facts presented in this article were obtained from The Plug, Ejimozy, and Broadway TV, among others.
KANAYO O. KANAYO
As reported by The Plug, Kanayo O. Kanayo who is well-known for his ritualist roles in the movie “The Billionaire Club” is now an ordained evangelist and minister of God. Ejimozy adds that his (ministry) calling became public when he appeared as a guest minister at Christ Mission Worldwide during a programme. In a Facebook post, Ndi Igbo describes actor Kanayo as a “deliverance pastor” and “Minister of the gospel” after he was invited to minister at the Christ Mission Worldwide programme themed “Powers of Darkness Cannot Stop Me.”
PATIENCE OZOKWOR
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Both The Plug and Ejimozy confirm Patience Ozokwor’s transition. According to The Plug, Ozokwor is known for her past reputation involving “devilish characters”, while Ejimozy reports that she became born again after a 2016 revelation during a retreat.
“God called me to work for him and I obeyed immediately,” she said.
Since then, Ozokwor had been seen preaching the gospel at various church programmes.
LARRY KOLDSWEAT
Larry Koldsweat, known as “Uncle Larry,” was a popular Nollywood actor in the early 2000s. Ejimozy reveals that Larry later left the movie world to serve God. He began ministry work when a pastor friend told him to start praying for others. He has since been doing evangelism and church ministrations. In 2019, he is said to have joined other stars in a walk against banditry in the North-West.
Larry revealed that the work of God is inevitable. He stressed that it is impossible to “run away from God if His hand is upon your life”, noting that one “can only delay it for a while but at the fullness of time, He will come for you”.
EUCHARIA ANUNOBI
Anunobi is another actress who transitioned from film industry to ministry. She is noted for her roles as a hot housewife and sugar mummy in films (The Plug). Ejimozy also confirms that she is now an ordained evangelist at Fresh Oil Ministry, Egbeda, Lagos, preaching and counselling young people across Nigeria.
Further revealing her ministerial work, Anunobi posted on Facebook recently, addressing Christians and referencing a Bible text. The post reads:
“These days we see a lot of people who are believers praying in tongues yet see nothing wrong with lying. To be a true born again believer is to speak the truth when others are lying. The mark of true born again believer is a transformed tongue that speaks truth whether it is convenient or not. This I write to the believers of my generation. Acts chapters 3, 4, and 5.”
Anunobi emphasises that genuine, born‑again believers should speak truth even when it’s inconvenient. This highlights her preaching the gospel to others.
ZACK ORJI
In its report, The Plug highlights that many people already saw Zack Orji’s future as a pastor in his calm film characters.
“I don’t think you are startled to know that veteran actor and director Zack Orji is now officially a pastor. From his old movies one could already tell he’s born for this. Always very composed and acting a clergyman” (The Plug).
Ejimozy confirms that Orji officially accepted the call in 2012 and now pastors at Power Line Bible Church. Orji has declared that he loves inspiring people and drawing them closer to God.
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Orji has served as a minister of God for many years. In a 2018 interview with Broadway TV, he said he had been ordained for five years.
“I’m a pastor, ordained. I have been ordained for five years now,” he revealed.
In the interview, Orji addressed the topic of tithing in Christian practice, saying, “The issue of tithing is a personal thing… I have watched some people condemn tithing, say a lot of things about men of God. I pity some of those people because they are speaking out of ignorance. It is a terrible thing to go on social media and be condemning men of God and what is in the Bible… at the end of the day, the book of Ecclesiastes says ‘Fear God and keep His commandments because this is the whole duty of man.’”
LIZ BENSON
According to Ejimozy, Liz Benson was ordained an evangelist after marrying Bishop Great Emeya in 2009. She now co-runs Freedom Family Assembly in Warri.
Ejimozy reports that Benson has revealed in an interview on Legit NG that her calling “. . . is one of the most fulfilling times” of her life, “seeing the effect on people is most fulfilling.”
CHARLES OKAFOR
Charles Okafor became a preacher in the 2000s and has stayed in full-time ministry since then (Ejimozy). He still acts but only takes part in roles that “glorify God,” as he explained.
“You cannot just do any kind of film anymore if you’re going to be the light,” Okafor said.
PAT ATTAH
Actor and musician Pat Attah became born-again in 2015 and relocated to Germany. He is said to have risen to stardom after his performance in the popular movie GLAMOUR GIRLS. Ejimozy reveals that Attah now preaches regularly online, using social media to spread the gospel.
Nonetheless, it is important to note that Pat Attah has responded to claims that he is a pastor. As reported by The Nation, Pat Attah corrected such an impression.
He said, “Many years ago I used to post some bible verses on Facebook when I was very active on Facebook and I used to hear things like the pastor in Germany but I am not a pastor and yeah it’s not really what people think but yeah . . . it’s not a bad thing if they think I am a pastor. I’m not a pastor.”
Nollywood Africa further confirms that “he is not a pastor”, explaining that he is “now a born-again Christian who has prioritised winning souls for Christ”. His winning souls for Christ, however, points to the ministerial work of evangelism.
YUL EDOCHIE
According to Ejimozy, Yul Edochie announced his ministry on January 23, 2024. He said becoming a pastor brings him peace and that his calling was predestined. He also clarified his work is not for financial gain but to fulfil God’s purpose. Edochie runs the True Salvation Ministry.
Yul revealed in the following his decision to become a pastor:
“Becoming a pastor is the best thing I have ever done for myself.” He explained that “serving God and being able to tell people about Him are wonderful” and they also give him peace he has “never had before.”
SYLVESTER MADU
Sylvester Madu became a pastor in 2018 at Christ Embassy, Eric Moore, after surviving a ghastly car crash in 2015 (Ejimozy). He is noted for combining his ministry with film production through Sylvester Madu Creation.
In an Instagram video, Madu appeared, announcing and inviting people to a church programme themed “A Day of Blessings.” He added, “Jesus is coming very soon, whether you believe it or not. Now you know it; He is coming back soon. I’m going to be there live. I’m going to be performing. I’m going to be singing blessings to your life. This is reality. This is God’s work. This is what Jesus wants, for us to reach out to souls, till the full number of the gentiles comes in.”
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In all, these individuals represent a significant trend in Nigerian entertainment. Their journeys from film industry to preaching the gospel bring to the fore the transformative power of faith in Nigerian society, not precluding the influence of religion in affecting personal narratives of career and purpose.
