Veteran Nollywood actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, widely known as "Aki," has opened up about a deeply emotional chapter of his life, revealing how he once struggled with suicidal thoughts after being diagnosed with stunted growth.
During a heartfelt conversation, the award-winning actor recounted how his mother took him to the hospital as a child, where doctors diagnosed him with "stunted growth" or "growth retardation." This revelation had a profound impact on him and shaped his early experiences in life.
Chinedu Ikedieze described how, as a young boy, he endured constant mockery and ridicule from people around him due to his small stature. The relentless taunting took an emotional toll on him, leading to moments of deep sadness and loneliness. He confessed that, at one point, the bullying became so overwhelming that he seriously contemplated ending his life.
Sharing his painful experience, he stated: “I remember my mom taking me to the hospital when I was around nine years old. I think I was sick. The doctor told her, ‘Madam, stop worrying yourself. He has no problem. Just make sure he reads his books, goes to school, and is there for him.’”
He continued, “That hit me hard. I was born and brought up in the village, so hearing that kind of English from a doctor—it stuck with me. I remember the doctor saying, ‘Madam, what he has is stunted growth.’ Then he wrote something on a report, and I saw another word: growth retardation.”
He further revealed how he struggled with the diagnosis: “I didn’t even know how to pronounce it. That was when I started hearing those words over and over again. My mom always told me, ‘You are small; you cannot start carrying cement or doing furniture work. The best thing for you is to go and study.’”
Despite his mother’s encouraging words, he admitted that the constant teasing and discrimination made his childhood painful. He revealed that people often called him names and treated him differently, making it difficult for him to cope. The bullying became so severe that he frequently cried alone in his room, feeling hopeless about his condition.
He shared, “So I knew that the only weapon I had to conquer the world was education. But it was painful. People taunted me. I cried several times. They called me names. It got so bad that, at times, I thought of ending it all.”
Chinedu Ikedieze’s story serves as an inspiring testimony of resilience and determination. Despite facing immense challenges, he overcame his struggles and rose to become one of Nollywood’s most celebrated actors. His journey highlights the importance of self-acceptance, perseverance, and the power of education in changing one’s destiny.
Watch the full interview below: