Nigerian Celebrities Who Were Once Political Appointees

It is usually a headline-grabbing event whenever a celebrity receives a political appointment. Over the years a good number of popular Nigerian celebrities have left the glamour of the showbiz world to serve in various capacities in government.

In this piece LEADERSHIP Weekend takes a look at some Nigerian celebrities who received political appointments.

Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Veteran Nollywood Bob-Manuel has featured in so many Nollywood blockbusters like, Living in Bondage, Rattlesnake, True Confessions,When the Sun Sets

Karishika, The Key for Happiness, Black Maria,among many others.In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards,and was nominated for Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards for his role in Adesuwa. In April 2022, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, appointed Bob-Manuel Udokwu, as his Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism.The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.Bob-Manuel had previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Creative Media during the administration of Peter Obi, and as an aide to the immediate past governor, Willie Obiano.

Richard Mofe Damijo

Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly called RMD,is unaguably one of the most famous faces in Nollywood.And not a few eyebrows were raised when he was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Delta state Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, and later became the commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State, Nigeria in 2009.His tenure ended in 2015.RMD has since returned to his first love acting,after serving his home state government.

Onyeka Onwenu

Veteran Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, human right activist, social activist, and former X Factor series judge.Affectionately called the “Elegant Stallion”. After topping the Nigerian music charts in the 80’s and 90’s,took a dive in the murky waters of politics. She joined the People’s Democratic Party contested twice to become the Local Council Chairman of her local government, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, and lost at both attempts.But was appointed Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture by former governor Ikedi Ohakim.

On 16 September 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed her the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development

Dayo Adeneye

Entertainment mogul,Dayo Adeneye popularly called ‘D1’, alongside his business partner Kenny Ogungbe,are famous personalities when it comes to the Nigerian music industry. Both of them are acclaimed to have changed the face of entertainment in the country. In 2014, D1 delved into politics and aimed to represent Odogbolu State Constituency at the House of Assembly, but lost at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary. He was eventually compensated with an appointment as Commissioner of Information and Strategy by the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun in 2015.

Nkiru Sylvanus

Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus after serenading our screens with her acting skills,that saw her feature in over seventy movies and won the awards for Best Actress of the Year at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.In 2011, former governor of Imo state Rochas Okorocha appointed Nkiru as his Special Assistant on Lagos State Affairs,and later became his Special Adviser on Public Affairs. In 2014, she was appointed as the Director-General of the Imo State Film Academy.

Hilda Dokubo

Veteran Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo,made her screen debut during her youth service in a 1992 film titled Evil Passion. She has since been featured in, and has produced several Nigerian films. including Gone Forever, End of the Wicked, My Goodwill, and The CEO Upon starring in a supporting role in a 2015 film titled Stigma, Dokubo won Best Actress in a Supporting Role and best actress in the comedy category.She was appointed as the Special Adviser to the former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili in 2003 till the end of his tenure in 2007.

Mercy Johnson 

Nollywood diva Mercy Johnson, began actingafter her secondary education, she auditioned for a role in The Maid and subsequently acted in other movies such as Hustlers, Baby Oku in America, War in the Palace. In 2009, she won an award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 African Movie Award ceremony for her performance in the movie “Live to Remember”, and Best Actress award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for her role in the comedy movie Dumebi the Dirty.In 2017 She was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Kogi state governor on entertainment, arts and culture.

Iyanya

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk popularly known as Iyanya,rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa, and is best known for his hit single “Kukere”. Iyanya co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. In September 2021,the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, appointed singer Iyanya as the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment.The Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, and Publicity, Christian Ita, confirmed the appointment in a statement, and said the appointment took immediate effect. Ubi Franklin, who occupied the position, took to his Instagram page to congratulate Iyanya on his appointment.