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Tag: Ibrahim Chatta

  • I’m not in competition with Ibrahim Chatta – Kunle Afolayan

    I’m not in competition with Ibrahim Chatta – Kunle Afolayan

    Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has dismissed rumours of a rivalry with Ibrahim Chatta, emphasising their shared goal of promoting Nigerian culture.

    Speaking at the watch party of “Anikulapo: ‘The Ghoul Awakens’”, Afolayan stressed that he and Chatta are working together to preserve their heritage, rather than competing.

    He said: “There is no competition between us. We are both doing everything possible to uplift the glory of all, not just our ancestors, but the lineage and where we are from, from the root. There’s Afri Chatta in Oyo. If you haven’t been there, you should go.

    “Many of the films you’ve seen, like Ageshinkole, were shot at Afri Chatta Resorts and Film Studio. There is no competition! We are not even doing the same thing. And this is the first time he is going to come here. Even though I’ve invited him several times, I’m guilty too.”

    Afolayan also addressed his selective approach to cinema projects, stating that he prioritises quality over financial gain. “I don’t want 2 billion or 1 billion in cinema, if I wouldn’t be able to take N10 million,” he said.

    The event, held at Igbojaye, Oyo state, was attended by several Nollywood stars, including Kiekie, Broda Shaggi, and Gabriel Afolayan.

  • Ibrahim Chatta partners WEBEK studios for Abeni

    Ibrahim Chatta partners WEBEK studios for Abeni

    Prolific Nollywood star actor, Ibrahim Yekini has partnered with WEBEK Studios to produce a new film, ‘Abeni.’

    Webek studios recently made the announcement of the completion of its first-ever feature-length film. The milestone marks a groundbreaking one for the fast-rising film and content company. 

    ‘Abeni’ is directed by filmmaker and CEO of WEBEK Studios, Esse Akwawa, while Samuel Olasehinde served as co-director and co-writer. Together, they bring a powerful blend of visionary direction, cultural depth, and emotional resonance to the screen.

    Filmed at the atmospheric Africhatta Film Village in Oyo State, renowned for its commitment to authentic Yoruba representation, ‘Abeni’ captures a world rich in heritage, tradition, and ancestral spirit.

    Inspired by a true but undocumented historical narrative passed down through generations,

    ‘Abeni’ brings to film a remarkable story that has never been formally recorded.

    The film highlights the extraordinary journey of Abeni, a young woman who defied societal expectations and pursued a path traditionally reserved for men: the sacred craft of forging. Her courage, rebellion, and resilience form the emotional core of the film, making ‘Abeni’ both an inspiring cinematic experience and an important act of cultural preservation.

    The production is further strengthened by the support of Co-Executive Producers Seun Dania and Ibrahim Chatta, whose contributions helped elevate the film’s authenticity and scale.

    Read Also: Nigeria tightens wine market standards to combat fake products

    Speaking on the project, Ibrahim Chatta, said, “Being involved in ‘Abeni’ allowed me to connect deeply with a story that mirrors the strength of our ancestors. The film sheds light on a remarkable young woman whose love for forging pushed her beyond the boundaries of her time. It is a privilege to help bring this undocumented history into modern consciousness.

    Working with Webek Studios reaffirmed my belief in the power of African storytelling and the importance of preserving our truth.”

    ABENI follows the journey of a determined young girl who challenges tradition, defies gender norms, and pushes against rigid societal boundaries to master the craft she loves. Rooted in Yoruba culture and inspired by real, undocumented history, the film blends mythic elements with raw emotion to deliver a story of courage, destiny, and cultural pride.

  • Ibrahim Chatta loses godson, not biological son – Opeyemi Aiyeola

    Ibrahim Chatta loses godson, not biological son – Opeyemi Aiyeola

    Actress Opeyemi Aiyeola has clarified the confusion surrounding actor Ibrahim Chatta’s recent loss.

    Chatta’s initial Instagram post had led many to believe he had lost his biological son, drawing an outpouring of condolences from fans, friends, and colleagues.

    However, Aiyeola explained on Instagram that the deceased was Chatta’s godson, whom he loved deeply and treated like his own child.

    READ ALSO: How Nigeria can achieve ICT’s 21% GDP target – MTN boss

    “Ibrahim Chatta didn’t lose his biological son but a godson, who is also like a son to him. May his pure soul continue to rest peacefully. It’s been an extremely emotional ride so far. God has mercy,” she wrote.

    Chatta has since updated his post to reflect the clarification, writing, “Inna liLlahi wa inna ileyhi rajiun. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on, dear GodSon. Champ.”

  • Actor Ibrahim Chatta loses son

    Actor Ibrahim Chatta loses son

    Filmmaker and actor Ibrahim Chatta is mourning the loss of his son.

    He shared the sad news on his Instagram page, posting a photo of the deceased with a message.

    “Inna Lillahi wa inna ileyhi rajiun Ya Allah, you are the knower of all things. Rest on, Dear son, champ,” he wrote.

    The news of his son’s passing has sparked an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow actors.

    Many have taken to the comments section to offer words of comfort and sympathy.

    Read Also: My first child died because I couldn’t pay hospital bills – Ibrahim Chatta

    Ibrahim Chatta’s loss comes on the heels of other recent tragedies in the Nollywood community.

    Peju Ogunmola and  husband, Omobolanle Sunday, lost their only child, Ayomikun, after a brief illness in Ibadan.

    Similarly, actor Francis Duru announced the death of his son, Ifeanyi, last year, describing him as a lion who fought fiercely for his life.

  • My first child died because I couldn’t pay hospital bills – Ibrahim Chatta

    My first child died because I couldn’t pay hospital bills – Ibrahim Chatta

    Veteran actor Ibrahim Chatta has shared a deeply emotional story of how he lost his first child, a baby girl, because he couldn’t afford to pay her hospital bills.

    In a heartfelt conversation captured on a movie set, Chatta revealed that his daughter was admitted to a hospital in the Iddo area of Lagos State. 

    Despite his desperate efforts to raise money for her treatment, he said he was unable to secure the needed funds, saying that the child sadly passed away.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Chatta: Why I joined Balogun Adesoye’s parade for 2025 Ojude Oba

    Chatta disclosed the heartbreaking detail that his daughter was buried in a wooden Coca-Cola crate due to the dire financial situation at the time, painting a tragic picture of the hardship he faced during the early years of his career.

    He said, “Malik is not my firstborn. My first child is a baby girl. I lost her because I couldn’t pay hospital bills.

    “She was taken to the hospital in the Iddo area of Lagos State. I trekked from Ijora Badia to Makoko, and I couldn’t get any money until she died. My first child was buried in the old wooden crate of Coke.

  • Ibrahim Chatta: Why I joined Balogun Adesoye’s parade for 2025 Ojude Oba

    Ibrahim Chatta: Why I joined Balogun Adesoye’s parade for 2025 Ojude Oba

    Nollywood star actor Ibrahim Chatta joined Osi Balogun Adegboyega Adesoye to lead the Balogun Adesoye dynasty for the 2025 Ojude Oba festival.

    The event, which took place on Sunday, June 8, had several dignitaries from different walks of life attending the event including Governor Dapo Abiodun, Olori Adetona, Minister for Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, and Barrister Hannatu Musawa.

    Speaking exclusively with The Nation Newspaper, Chatta said, “This is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Chatta said. “Being part of the Ojude Oba festival through the Balogun Adesoye’s dynasty – right here with the Ijebu people – was beyond anything I imagined. The love I received, the warmth, the cheers. I felt it deeply. It was overwhelming in the most beautiful way.”

    Continuing, Chatta said, “Ojude Oba is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of unity, heritage, and pride. For over a century, it has stood as a symbol of the Ijebu people’s cultural strength, and I’m incredibly honored to be part of that legacy and grateful to the Balogun Adesoye’s dynasty for extending the invitation to be part of it.”

    The colourful celebration featured over 80 beautifully dressed social societies also known as Regberegbe and about 20 horse riders’ families including the Balogun Adesoye family and Balogun Kuku families parading the pavilion and paying homage to Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebu land and other dignitaries in attendance.

    The major highlight of the 2025 Ojude Oba was the grand entry of the Balogun Adesoye dynasty led by Osi Balogun Adegboyega Adesoye, who was joined by Ibrahim Chatta. With 70 horses in their display, the Balogun Adesoye dynasty captivated the attendees of the 2025 Ojude Oba with a sterling arrival that got a standing ovation.

    Looking regal in their bright yellow attires, Chatta complemented the Balogun Adesoye dynasty as he chanted the family’s panegyric in a deeply rooted Yoruba dialect with dignitaries and attendees left in a state of awe.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Chatta reunites with ex-wife at movie premiere

    The short display by the Balogun Adesoye family was not only exhilarating but a show of pure cultural expression. The dynasty turned heads in the stands and VIP boxes as Chatta filled the entire pavilion with his aura and charm of cultural display.

    Prior to the display at the pavilion, the Balogun Adesoye family thrilled the streets of Ijebu-Ode with excitement as Chatta joined the procession from the family house of the Balogun Adesoye dynasty.

    On his part, Osi Balogun Adegboyega Daud Adesoye, who spoke with The Nation at the historic Balogun Fasasi Adesoye mansion in Oke-Ijasi, Ijebu Ode, said, “It’s a feeling of deep fulfillment and pure joy. Everything we poured into our preparations paid off beautifully. Seeing our family’s vibrant performance at the festival ground was truly rewarding.

    “As children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the late Balogun Fasasi Adesoye Onasanya, we’re all united in happiness. This year’s Ojude Oba brought our family even closer together – before, during, and after the event. We’ve definitely raised the bar, and I can confidently say — this is only the beginning. From here, it only gets better.”

  • Ibrahim Chatta joins Balogun Adesoye dynasty’s parade at 2025 Ojude Oba

    Ibrahim Chatta joins Balogun Adesoye dynasty’s parade at 2025 Ojude Oba

    Nollywood star actor Ibrahim Chatta joined Osi Balogun Adegboyega Adesoye to lead the Balogun Adesoye dynasty for the 2025 Ojude Oba festival.

    The event, which took place on Sunday, June 8, had several dignitaries from different walks of life attending the event including Governor Dapo Abiodun, Olori Adetona, Minister for Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, and Barrister Hannatu Musawa.

    The colourful celebration featured over 80 beautifully dressed social societies also known as Regberegbe and about 20 horse riders’ families including the Balogun Adesoye family and Balogun Kuku families parading the pavilion and paying homage to Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebu land and other dignitaries in attendance.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Chatta reunites with ex-wife at movie premiere

    The major highlight of the 2025 Ojude Oba was the grand entry of the Balogun Adesoye dynasty led by Osi Balogun Adegboyega Adesoye, who was joined by Ibrahim Chatta. With 70 horses in their display, the Balogun Adesoye dynasty captivated the attendees of the 2025 Ojude Oba with a sterling arrival that got a standing ovation.

    Looking regal in their bright yellow attires, Chatta complemented the Balogun Adesoye dynasty as he chanted the family’s panegyric in a deeply rooted Yoruba dialect with dignitaries and attendees left in a state of awe.

    The short display by the Balogun Adesoye family was not only exhilarating but a show of pure cultural expression. The dynasty turned heads in the stands and VIP boxes as Chatta filled the entire pavilion with his aura and charm of cultural display.

    Prior to the display at the pavilion, the Balogun Adesoye family thrilled the streets of Ijebu-Ode with excitement as Chatta joined the procession from the family house of the Balogun Adesoye dynasty.

    The 2025 Ojude Oba festival remains memorable and indelible considering the number of attendees and dignitaries, however, the Balogun Adesoye dynasty stood out amongst all other dynasties during the parade.

  • Ibrahim Chatta reunites with ex-wife at movie premiere

    Ibrahim Chatta reunites with ex-wife at movie premiere

    Actor Ibrahim Chatta recently reunited with his estranged wife, Olayinka Solomon, at Toyin Abraham’s film Iyalode premiere in Lagos.

    A video from the reunion showed Chatta embracing Olayinka and her current husband, Olasunkanmi Mabinuori, who showered the actor with money.

    This display of camaraderie has prompted mixed reactions on social media, with some praising their maturity while others question the dynamics of their relationship.

    Chatta and Olayinka have a son together, Malik, born in 2008. Their marriage ended due to allegations of domestic violence, which Chatta has denied, attributing their breakup to a heated argument.

    Read Also: I’m not interested in AMVCA – Ibrahim Chatta

    Olayinka subsequently married Mabinuori in 2021 and welcomed a baby boy with him in January 2025.

    Meanwhile, Chatta is currently married to Olaide Aishat, with whom he has two children.

    The “Iyalode” film premiere, held at the IMAX Cinema in Lekki, Lagos, attracted several prominent Nollywood stars, including Odunlade Adekola, Mercy Aigbe, and Wale Ojo.

    Directed by Adebayo Tijani and produced by Kolawole Ajeyemi, the film is scheduled to reach cinemas nationwide on June 6, 2025.

  • Sanusi ‘Apa’ Izihaq: Ibrahim Chatta kept me from leaving Nollywood

    Sanusi ‘Apa’ Izihaq: Ibrahim Chatta kept me from leaving Nollywood

    Actor Sanusi Izihaq, popularly known as Apa, has credited fellow actor Ibrahim Chatta for convincing him to stay in the Nollywood industry.

    Apa, in an interview with colleague, Biola Bayo, shared his emotional journey, recalling how he was on the verge of quitting due to toxic work environments and being looked down upon by older colleagues.

    Apa expressed his gratitude to Chatta, saying, “Big shout-out to him (Ibrahim chatta), I should have left Nollywood if not for Ibrahim chatta.

    “Hope I’m not being too forward, God bless Ibrahim chatta. If not for him, I would have left the industry.

    “On multiple occasions when you have older colleagues in the industry, some of them begin to look down on you.

    Read Also: Ibrahim Chatta: A thespian with the love for God

    “When I was still working as a continuity manager, the fact is that I was more famous than some actors. Directors knew my name without my face and wondered who I was. Some directors even looked down on me.

    “I recall one experience when a director who had only heard about me vowed to deal with me. I had never worked with him before, and I was eager to. I vowed to make his job easy. However, things got a little tense, and I despise a toxic work environment. I believe in relating with love, so I become emotional, and I cry bitterly when things are tense.

    “He (Ibrahim Chatta) has met me when I was crying on two to three occasions. Asking me what went wrong.

    “I confided in him that I would leave the industry, but he always advises against it and encourages me instead. On about 3 different occasions, he urged me to come back when I already left filmmaking. He even called me back to work on his project to ensure I don’t leave.”

  • Ibrahim Chatta: A thespian with the love for God

    Ibrahim Chatta: A thespian with the love for God

    At almost 55-years-old, successful and talented Nigerian actor, Ibrahim Chatta says he doesn’t see himself as being underrated rather as one, who has been immensely blessed with abundant grace.

    “Many say I am underrated, I am not underrated, I don’t see myself as being underrated, I don’t deserve what God has blessed me with because, who am I, what am I to deserve all he has done for me but again it’s not as if I have so much wealth for acquiring and building a film village but this is what my job requires,” he said with all sense of humility and sincerity. “I have uncompleted buildings and landed properties in Ibadan yet I decided to come into the village to purchase acres of land for the film village and till now, I am yet to complete the buildings. I can’t count how many buildings I have in this film village. I still don’t believe I am a good actor despite what people say. I just pray and go on set for filming, I don’t believe I am that good as an actor. I don’t believe I am better than other actors, I only believe I am enjoying God’s grace and blessings.”

    Chatta revealed that he left his middle-class parents’ home just before he turned 19 to find his path in life.

    He went further to explain how he spent eight years of his life as a bus conductor but continues to support his mother with the proceeds of his menial jobs.

    He said: “I spent eight years of my life as a conductor, I left home before 19 years old. My father sells cement and owns a filling station. I have been sending stuff to my mum at 22 years old while working as a conductor. I have always loved responsibilities, I have over 42 staff strength at the moment and I don’t even know how I pay their salaries, hence, my reason for saying I enjoy God’s grace and blessings. I believe God has blessed me more than I deserve. My parents aren’t poor, I left home out of my own volition. I pray for humility in every stage I am in life.”

    Chatta isn’t just a Muslim but one devoted to his creator and tries to live his life in accordance with God’s tenets. He went on to reveal that he has no certificate yet he has been able to stay out of location when he wanted to because he strongly believes God has been responsible for every success that has come his way.

    “God has been the one calling me not people. I have always prayed to God to always guide me and give me jobs but after a while, God did something new to me. I told God that I want to stop going to locations so I can chart a new cause but again, I thought to myself, what would I be eating, how would I be earning if I am not going to a location, especially for someone like me, who has no certificate,” he said.

    Read Also: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu advocates for traditional outfits for politicians

    Continuing, Chatta said, “I now told God that I don’t want to work for one month and after that I went for a production with Sotayo and it was at that time COVID happened. We were all indoors and it was during this pandemic and lockdown that I bought equipment worth N96 million and was giving out palliatives. It would interest you to know that all these while, I have never had or held N5 million cash of my own. So, during lockdown, I decided to go back to creating shoutouts to people and for it I was charging N300,000 and till date, I can’t phantom how I made such a humongous sum from just shout outs and chanting panegyrics but all I know is that whenever I want to buy any of those equipments and they tell me the sum, I just buy.”

    On how he was able to own a film village and shoot epics on the set he created, he opened up on how it all started after the end of lockdown which was occasioned by COVID 19.

    He said: “After the lockdown, I had participated in the reading of a film earlier alongside Shaffy Bello, Jide Kosoko and others and I wanted to shoot since I now had my own equipment. I decided to make the film only to find out that the title had already been used, so I just decided to go the route of epic, which wasn’t the fad at the time.

    “I have always nursed the ambition of owning a film village since my young years and even when I was in Hajj but when God did it remains a miracle because how could I have done it when I didn’t even have the money. So, I began by buying a few plots to build and find somewhere to buy and build for accommodation in town. However, the building in town collapsed and I decided to ensure the one I was living in the village is rebuilt to be stronger and that was how we started from 2 acres to over 74 acres and we are not stopping. I didn’t have the funds when I started, I didn’t save for the film village, no grant, no loan and no partnership but God did it for me.”