Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu has opened up about surviving domestic abuse during her marriage, revealing that she endured physical violence even while pregnant.
Speaking on Real Life Matters With Aunty Ayo, a podcast hosted by fellow actress Ayo Adesanya, Nwosu recounted the dark experiences she faced in her former marriage and urged women to prioritize their safety over societal pressure to stay married at all costs.
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“I don’t believe marriage is a do-or-die affair,” Nwosu said. “There’s this notion I want to correct, people go on social media to post pictures saying, ‘He slapped me, he did this, he did that.’ When you see real beating, correct pummeling, you won’t even remember social media. You’ll forget about it and start struggling for your life.”
The award-winning actress explained that she chose to suffer in silence during her ordeal, avoiding public attention despite intense media curiosity about her personal life.
“I have not told people until now the kind of domestic violence I went through in marriage,” she said. “Even when the press came after me, I told them I didn’t want to wash my dirty linen in public. It was well while it lasted, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
Reflecting on her experience, Nwosu revealed that she had once made up her mind to walk away from the marriage but was persuaded to stay after being begged by her family. “He beat me even in pregnancy, and I said this marriage is a no-no for me,” she recounted. “My senior sister knelt down and begged me, saying he was sorry and asking what the world would say. I agreed, but once beaten will always be beaten. If you take it once, you must be ready to take it for the rest of your life.”
The Fuji House of Commotion star emphasized that no one deserves to endure violence in the name of marriage and encouraged women in abusive relationships to prioritize their well-being.
She also expressed empathy for women who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, citing the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, whose death in 2022 was reportedly linked to spousal abuse.
“When this thing is too much, you have to move,” Nwosu warned. “It’s your life we are talking about here, not that person’s life.”
Her revelation has sparked fresh conversations about domestic abuse in Nigeria, particularly the cultural pressures that often force women to remain in dangerous marriages for fear of public judgment or family shame.
Ngozi Nwosu’s courage in speaking out highlights the importance of breaking the silence around domestic violence, a step that could empower many others to seek help and safety before it’s too late.
