Popular Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has opened up about her long battle with addiction, revealing that she started smoking at the age of 13 and struggled with the habit for 27 years. The actress shared her story during a Sunday service at Streams of Joy International Church, where she gave a public testimony about her personal struggles and how she believes she found freedom through faith.
Speaking before the congregation, Dikeh also disclosed that smoking was not the only addiction she battled over the years. According to her, she also struggled with alcohol addiction, masturbation, and long-standing anger issues, which affected her personal life and relationships.
The actress described her struggles as a form of “demonic oppression” and said she began to notice major changes in her life after improving her spiritual life. She told the church that her healing did not happen overnight but came gradually as she grew stronger in her faith.
“I smoked since I was 13. God healed me from masturbation too. I have known myself to have sexual intercourse in the dream ever since I was a child,” she said during her testimony.
Tonto Dikeh explained that her smoking habit started at a young age because her father was a smoker. She said being exposed to smoking early in life made it easy for her to pick up the habit and eventually become addicted. Using her experience as a warning, she advised parents to be careful about the habits they display around their children.
She urged parents to understand that children often learn by watching adults, especially at home. According to her, exposing children to harmful habits such as smoking can have long-term effects on their lives.
Now 40 years old, the actress said her addiction to smoking lasted well into adulthood and affected different aspects of her life. She explained that despite her fame and success in the movie industry, she struggled privately with habits she found difficult to control.
Tonto Dikeh is one of the most popular figures in Nollywood, known for her bold personality and strong presence on screen. Over the years, she has often been in the news for both her career achievements and her personal life. Her testimony has once again brought her into the public eye, this time for a more personal and reflective reason.
Beyond smoking and alcohol, the actress said she also battled what she described as “demonic anger.” According to her, anger became a serious problem that affected her relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. She said she often reacted harshly and later regretted her actions.
She revealed that she believes God recently healed her from the anger issues, which she said had been with her for many years. According to her, this change has helped her improve her personal relationships and given her more peace of mind.
Faith and religion play an important role in the lives of many Nigerians, and public testimonies like Dikeh’s are common in churches across the country. Many people use such moments to share personal stories of struggle and healing, hoping to inspire others facing similar challenges.
Alcohol addiction also remains a growing concern in Nigeria, especially among young people. Experts say easy access to alcohol and social pressure contribute to early exposure and long-term dependency.
By sharing her story, Dikeh has drawn attention to the issue of addiction and the impact of childhood exposure to harmful habits. Her experience reflects the struggles many Nigerians face but often keep hidden due to fear of judgment or stigma.
After her testimony, the founder of Streams of Joy International Church, Pastor Jerry Eze, prayed for the actress in front of the congregation. He declared that “the burden of sin is broken” in her life and described her as “a voice in her generation.”
Pastor Eze is a well-known preacher in Nigeria, with a large following both in the country and abroad. His church is popular for its prayer programs and online services, which attract thousands of worshippers weekly.
The moment drew emotional reactions from members of the church, many of whom applauded the actress for speaking openly about her past. Some worshippers described her testimony as brave and inspiring.
While reactions on social media have been mixed, many Nigerians have praised Tonto Dikeh for her honesty and openness. Supporters say her story could encourage others battling addiction to seek help and not feel alone.
The actress’ testimony has also renewed discussions about mental health, addiction, and the need for support systems in society. Experts say addiction is a complex issue that often requires medical, emotional, and social support.
As Tonto Dikeh continues her journey, she said she hopes her story will serve as a lesson to parents and young people. She encouraged those struggling with similar issues to seek help and hold on to hope.