Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu has opened up about her painful experience with domestic violence, revealing that she cancelled her wedding after enduring physical abuse from her then-partner.
Speaking on Real Life with Aunty Ayo Adesanya, the popular television and film star shared a deeply personal story about how she walked away from a violent relationship despite pressure from family members and her fiancé to proceed with the wedding.
The actress, known for her roles in classic productions such as Living in Bondage, Fuji House of Commotion, and Skinny Girl in Transit, said her decision to end the relationship came after her partner attacked her violently, leaving her bleeding and traumatized.
“My husband was a violent person. I remember one day he broke the kitchen door while I was boiling water, dragged me by my hair, and I started bleeding,” Nwosu recounted. “That’s a day I’ll never forget. I don’t know where I got the strength from that day, but I picked up a pestle to defend myself. I was ready to go to jail.”
She said the attack and her near-death experience gave her the courage to leave.
“I ended the relationship a day before our wedding. I refused to sign the marriage papers despite all the pressure from family and friends,” she said.
Nwosu explained that she was repeatedly told to forgive her partner and go ahead with the marriage, but she knew that staying would have been a death sentence.
“People told me, ‘You’re already engaged, just manage him; marriage will calm him down.’ But I said no. I knew I would not survive that kind of marriage,” she added.
Using her experience as a warning, Ngozi Nwosu urged women to walk away from abusive relationships, saying that love should never come at the expense of one’s safety or dignity.
“Marriage is not a do-or-die affair. When domestic violence becomes too much, it’s best to walk away. If you accept it once, be ready to keep accepting it for the rest of your life,” she cautioned.
The actress stressed that abusers rarely change, and women who endure physical or emotional violence often find themselves trapped in a cycle of abuse.
“Don’t stay with a man who beats you and apologizes later. Once it happens, it will happen again,” she warned.
Nwosu also reflected on how societal pressure, fear of judgment, and the stigma of failed relationships often force women to remain silent and endure pain in private. She urged families and communities to stop shaming victims of domestic violence and instead support them in finding safety and healing.
“Many women die in silence because of what people will say. But if you die, those same people will still talk. So choose yourself first,” she said.
Ngozi Nwosu’s revelation comes amid growing concerns over domestic violence in Nigeria. Women’s rights groups and advocacy organizations have repeatedly raised alarm over the rising cases of abuse and femicide across the country.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics and UN Women indicate that one in every three Nigerian women has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, often at the hands of an intimate partner. Despite existing laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, enforcement remains weak in many parts of the country, particularly in states that have yet to domesticate the law.
Nwosu’s decision to speak out adds her voice to a growing list of Nigerian celebrities using their platforms to highlight the dangers of domestic violence and encourage victims to seek help.
She urged women facing similar situations to reach out to trusted friends, religious leaders, or non-governmental organizations for support, rather than suffering in silence.
“No woman deserves to be treated like an animal. If a man raises his hand against you, leave before it’s too late. There is life after heartbreak, but there’s no life after death,” she said.
Ngozi Nwosu, one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, has been in the film industry for over three decades. Beyond her acting career, she has become a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and mental health awareness.
Her latest revelation underscores the importance of public figures sharing real-life experiences to break the silence around gender-based violence.
Ending her interview, she encouraged victims to prioritize their safety and self-worth over societal expectations.
“Walking away saved my life. I’m alive today to tell my story because I chose myself,” Nwosu said. “If I didn’t walk away, maybe I wouldn’t be here. So, to every woman out there — please, don’t stay with an abusive man.”
