Chidi Mokeme: Nollywood’s heartthrob getting accolades for ‘Shanty Town’ performance

With a career spanning over two decades, the insanely versatile Nigerian hunk, Chidi Mokeme, has continued to remain relevant in Nollywood. Recently, he grabbed the headline for weeks as a result of his stellar performance in the Netflix movie, Shanty Town. The movie announced the return of the multi-award-winning actor to the screen after a health-related hiatus, and what a comeback he made.

His acting is superb and his style and presence on the red carpet are second to none. So, who is Chidi Mokeme, known as one of Nigeria’s most bankable actors?

Table of Content hide 1Chidi Mokeme biography 2Chidi Mokeme career 3Chidi Mokeme movies 4Chidi Mokeme’s net worth 5Chidi Mokeme illness 6Chidi Mokeme family 7Chidi Mokeme’s age 8Where is Chidi Mokeme now?

Chidi Mokeme biography

Chidi Geoff Azubuike Mokeme Jr. was born on March 17, 1972. He hails from Oba, a town in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Mokeme was raised by his parents, Geoffrey Azubuike Mokeme Sr., an insurance salesman, and Angelina Mokeme, a teacher.

Mokeme grew up in Surulere, Lagos, and attended the Salvation Army Primary School. He then proceeded to Federal Government College in Minna, Niger State, for his secondary school education. He attended the Institute for Management and Technology (IMIT), where he obtained a National Diploma in Computer Science Technology. He subsequently got his Higher National Diploma (HND) at the Yaba College Of Technology, Lagos.

The dashing actor was raised in the Anglican faith and stands at a towering 6 feet 2 inches tall. He is of Igbo descent. However, Mokeme is a multi-lingual individual who is fluent in Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba languages.

ALSO READ: Jimmy Odukoya: Nigerian pastor who made a glorious Hollywood debut

Chidi Mokeme career

Chidi Mokeme kicked off his career as a model in 1998. As part of his job, he represented several brands in the modelling industry. His job saw him work with many renowned organisations, including the likes of the then-telecoms giant (in Nigeria), Vodafone. He once recalled that he was earning quite a substantial income from modelling back in the day and said that taking on several characters while modelling for brands, inspired him to hone his acting skills.

He got his first-ever role in Nollywood in the Fred Amata-directed movie, Rapture. Mokemei later found further success in the movie sphere after starring in the action film, Abuja Connection, directed by Michael Ezeanyaeche, Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche, and Adim Williams.

Mokeme is one of the few Nigerian actors who are quite fluent in Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. This skill has made him one of the most versatile actors in the Nigerian movie industry. His catalogue speaks for itself; he boasts of numerous appearances in films. He has made multiple appearances in Igbo and Yoruba-speaking movies. Mokeme’s ability to interpret roles to the T has earned him immense love from fans throughout his career.

Mokeme portrayed Monday Osunbor in the 2005 crime thriller, Anini, which was about the notoriously violent and well-armed Anini and his gang. He got the lead roles in Raging Passion (2014) and Hitch (2015). He was the antagonist in the movie, ’76, which was the official country selection at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and went on to earn an unprecedented eight nominations at the AMAA (2016) and an unprecedented 14 nominations at the AMVCA (2016), both of which are Africa’s biggest movie awards.

Mokeme co-starred in the 2019 drama, Pillars of Africa, with Hollywood actor, Hakeem Kae Kazeem. The movie also included veteran actress, Sola Sobowale, and other well-known actors. For his performance in this movie, Mokeme received the “best actor in an independent film prize” at the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards for the 2021 film.

More recently, Mokeme’s prowess as an immensely versatile actor was a topic of discussion for several weeks, with numerous accolades being thrown his way after he achieved success once more with his portrayal of “Scar” in Dimeji Ajibola’s Shanty Town. The movie became the most talked about, and Mokeme’s character “Scar” was among the reasons the film gained such major traction.

His first directorial role came in 2021 when he was the director and producer of the movie Bamboozler. in which he also starred.

Asides from acting and directing, Mokeme is well known for being the former anchor of the popular Nigerian adventure reality TV show, The Gulder Ultimate Search. He remains one of the most popular hosts of the show, having hosted it for its first two seasons. He later returned to host once more after a few years. He presently hosts The Therapist, an Amazon Prime programme.

ALSO READ: Nonso Diobi: The ‘playboy’ of Nollywood who wowed ladies

Chidi Mokeme movies

Chidi Mokeme has appeared in numerous movies in Nollywood, numbering over 100. Some of them include:

• Critical Condition 
• Abuja Connection 
• Agony of a Mother 
• Fire Dancer
• ’76 (2016)
• Omotara Johnson 
• The Seed 
• Minority Tension 
• Ultimate Warrior 
• Who Will Tell the President 
• Boiling Point 
• Crime Planner 
• High Stake 
• Back Drop 
• Never Too Far 
• Anini
• Kids Are Angry (2001)
• Married to a Witch (2001)
• Armageddon King (2003), 
• Promise Me Forever (2004)
• His Majesty (2004)
• Blood Battle (2005)
• Akachi 2020), 
• Entangle (2021)
• The Therapist (2021)
• Bamboozler (2022)
• Half Heaven(2022)

Chidi Mokeme’s net worth

Chidi Mokeme earns a fortune as an established actor, producer, and director. His career has flourished over the years, making him one of the most sought-after and highly-paid actors in the movie industry.

With that being said, his projected net worth, though unconfirmed by Mokeme or an acquainted source, is estimated to be around N30 million-N50 million, according to online sources.

Chidi Mokeme illness

Before Chidi Mokeme’s appearance in Shanty Town, the actor was missing in action for over three years. Unknown to the public, his absence was because of an ailment he suffered, known as Bell’s Palsy.

The ailment is said to be an untreatable illness that affects the face and causes weakness in the facial muscles, triggering numbness in the affected areas and making it difficult for affected individuals to smile on both sides of the face. Bell’s palsy also causes the eye in the affected part of the face to resist closing.

Experts think it is caused by swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face. It could be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection. In most cases, facial weakness is temporary and tends to improve within a few weeks.

The disorder began while he was on a promotional tour for the 2016 war film, 76, Mokeme revealed this in an interview with Channels TV for the show, Rubbin Minds. He further explained that while the cast and crew of 76 were getting ready to travel to the UK for the British International Film Festival, he got sick. 

Mokeme stated that he took time off to find a solution to his facial problem, and while doing that, he got the chance to focus on other businesses of his.

Chidi Mokeme family

Chidi Mokeme hails from a family of seven (his parents and five children), which is of the Anglican faith. His mother is Angelina Mokeme (nee Nwokolo), a school teacher and administrator; while Geoffrey Azubuike Mokeme Snr, his father, was an insurance broker. Chidi has four siblings: Uche, Ebele, Anugo, and Chioma

Mokeme married Dr Jean Olumba in 2012. Together, they have one child, Noah Akachukwu Mokeme (born in 2015). His family resides in Maryland, USA. His wife, Jean, was born and raised in the US, where she also practices medicine and pharmacy.

Mokeme has an adult son from a previous relationship with Adia Ukoyen, a journalist. The son’s name is named Emem Daniel Kosisochukwu Mokeme, born on June 14, 1998.

Chidi Mokeme’s age

Chidi Mokeme was born on March 7, 1972. He is currently 50 years old and will turn 51 on March 7, 2023.

Where is Chidi Mokeme now?

Chidi Mokeme is currently in Nigeria, focusing on several upcoming projects. He was recently interviewed by BBC Pidgin, where he narrated his creative process for his portrayal of the role of “Scar” in the blockbuster, Shanty Town.

ALSO READ: Toyin Abraham: ‘Screen goddess’ who isn’t afraid of making her stance known