Inside Osita Iheme’s story: from Nollywood fame to personal life

Osita Iheme is a prominent Nollywood actor, known for playing lighthearted drama and comedy roles. He rose to fame for starring as Pawpaw alongside Chinedu Ikedieze in the film Aki na Ukwa (2002). The film marked his big career break and helped establish his on-screen presence as an iconic comedy actor. This biography tells Osita Iheme's story in detail.

Key takeaways

• Osita Iheme started his career in 1998.
• He rose to prominence in the early 2000s.
• Iheme often acts as a mischievous and troublesome child.
• He was born normal, but stopped growing at some point.
• Osita has proven that height is not a barrier to achieving greatness.

Osita Iheme’s profile summary

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What is Osita Iheme's story?

Born on 20 February 1982 in Abia State, Nigeria, Osita Iheme's age is 43 years old in 2025. The actor's ancestral roots are in Mbaitoli LGA in Imo State. He is the last of five kids of the late Herbert Iheme and his wife, Augustina Iheme.

Speaking about his family, Osita told the Daily Trust in June 2021:

I lost my father at an early age under mysterious circumstances. With my Daddy, I know my academic ambitions would have been realized up to PhD level, and so many other things I wanted to do if he were alive today.

It really saddens my heart, though. Recalling the sad event leading to the untimely death of my dear father, I was very young then. I can’t really say much about him because I was still a baby when he passed on.

From what I learnt, he was a trader who traveled a lot and was into merchandising. He made sure that his children were well brought up.

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He raised us with a good moral upbringing and the fear of God. He was that kind of father. He was a tall man. I just grew up to find myself like this. I just found myself like this, and I can’t question God, but I keep working hard to become somebody.

We are five in the family, including a girl and four boys. I am the lastborn, two of my siblings are based in Europe, while the other two are importers, and the only girl is working with an oil company.

Keep reading Osita Iheme's biography to know how his journey to success has been.

Educational background

Osita attended his primary and secondary education in Abia State, Nigeria, and later on, enrolled at Lagos University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. The Nollywood star also holds an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, India.

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Career history

Osita started his acting career playing minor roles as a child in Nollywood movies. In the year 2002, he became a household name in Nigeria after playing Pawpaw alongside Chinedu Ikedieze in the comedy Aki na Ukwa.

Iheme gained more fame and soon began taking up other roles in various films. His versatility as an actor gave him the upper hand, and for more than a decade, he has featured in many Nigerian movies.

The actor has gained fame and respect throughout Africa for impacting the Nollywood industry through his humorous movie roles.

How many movies has Osita Iheme acted in?

Osita has featured in over 200 films since he debuted as an actor in 1998, though the exact number can vary by source and what is classified as a "movie." The actor has amazed audiences and critics with his dramatic and comedic roles. Here is a list of some of Osita Iheme's movies:

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How much is Osita Iheme worth?

Osita Iheme's net worth is an estimated $5 million, according to a comparison on Facebook. His earnings from his acting career, endorsements, and business ventures contribute to his overall wealth.

Osita Iheme's house and cars

The actor owns several luxury vehicles, including a Honda NSX and SUVs, and built a mansion worth over 100 million Naira in Imo State.

Osita has also evolved from a comedic actor to a multifaceted individual, taking on various roles and expanding into entrepreneurship. He opened The Resident Hotel (a five-star multi-million Naira hotel) in Owerri, Imo State, in late 2024/early 2025 and has another hotel in Enugu State.

While Iheme is considered one of the richest Nollywood legends, he has maintained a private life, with limited public information about his wealth.

Who is richer between Osita and Chinedu?

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According to a comparison on Facebook, Osita Iheme is estimated to be slightly richer than Chinedu Ikedieze, with net worth estimates around $5 million for Osita and $3.6 million for Chinedu. These figures vary depending on the source, but consistently place Osita slightly ahead.

What are Aki and Pawpaw's real names?

Pawpaw's real name is Osita Iheme, while Aki's real name is Chinedu Ikedieze.

How did Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme meet?

The two met on a movie set in Enugu, where they were cast in supporting roles. Their chemistry was so evident that filmmakers quickly recognized their potential as a comedic duo.

Actors Iheme and Chinedu have co-starred in many films, with their most famous collaboration being Aki na Ukwa. Their movies are widely discussed online, with social media users making trending memes of the two.

Iheme is happy with the way his memes are used on social media as a means of expression, stating that it shows his old films still have value. He said in an interview with Next Kulture in March 2024:

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It's good to see that your works are doing well out there and people are appreciating what you are doing. Even though it has been so many years, people are still valuing it years later. It's good, and it shows that you have an asset that you can always back up and bank with. Because when you look at 20 years ago, the works you've done and you see that people are using it to express themselves, you'd feel happy. I feel happy.

Is Osita Iheme married?

In a July 2025 interview published by Naija Blitz News, Osita revealed that he has no intentions of getting married or having children.

I’m already 43 years old. I have no plans of getting married; I just want to live my life and help those closer to me. My brothers and sisters have children, and I consider them as mine.

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The Nollywood veteran actor emphasized his desire for a peaceful life, choosing instead to focus on supporting his family and loved ones.

His decision not to marry was widely reported in July and August of 2025. For example, a Facebook post from August 2025 by 237 Best Music blog and Bencity Times quoted the actor saying:

People often wonder why I’m still not married at 42. It’s not because I can’t, but because I’ve chosen not to. These days, many women are too focused on money. They build their lives around it.

Even after marriage, if things go wrong and you divorce, the woman can take you to court, demanding that everything be shared equally. And if you have children together, after the separation and division of property, she might still send the kids back, asking for money for food.

If you really want to live a peaceful life, stay away from unnecessary drama. As for me, I’m single and I have no problem with that.

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How many kids did Osita Iheme have?

The actor is not married and does not have kids. Past rumors and misleading online posts about Osita Iheme's wife and son have not shared evidence to support claims that him having a wife called Noma and a child.

Osita has been seen on social media posts holding babies, raising questions about his paternal status and marital life, but the truth is that he has no children yet. The Nollywood actor has stated that he has chosen to focus on his career and that he is not interested in marriage or becoming a parent at this time.

What condition does Osita Iheme have?

Some sources identify Osita Iheme's height of 4 feet and 3 inches as a likelihood of a medical condition such as dwarfism, though the actor has not publicly confirmed the specific diagnosis.

Nonetheless, Osita once revealed to the Daily Trust in June 2021 that he was born normal but stopped growing at some point.

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I was born normal, but then stopped growing. I was born in the early 80s. I mark my birth every 20th of February. I was a normal baby when I was born.

I can’t say that this was when I stopped growing, but I just grew up to find myself like this. I can’t question God, but I keep working hard to become somebody in life...

Definitely, my mother must have been worried about my growth, but what can she do? It has happened, and she had to accept the situation the way it was.

Is Osita Iheme still alive?

The Nigerian actor is not dead and was not killed in an accident. He is alive and well, with recent social media activity and fan engagement confirming he is in good health.

Numerous fake news reports emerged in 2022, 2024, and 2025 about Osita Iheme's accident and demise. A cropped picture from one of his old movies, where he was shown in a hospital bed, was used to add to the deception.

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When you see such rumors, always check for official confirmation from the actor or his representatives before believing or sharing such news. You can also look for information on his official social media pages, which consistently show he is alive and active.

Facts about Osita Iheme

• He initially wanted to become a lawyer.
• In 2007, he was given the Lifetime Achievement award by AMAA.
• In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan awarded him the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honor.
• He became the ambassador of TAJ Bank in 2023.
• He plans to run for Political Office in the future.
• He motivates young Africans through his organization, Inspired Movement Africa.
• As the author of the book INSPIRED 101, Osita has solidified his role as a source of inspiration.

Osita Iheme's story is inspiring because he overcame societal discrimination due to his height to become a successful Nollywood actor, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, transforming what others saw as a limitation into a unique blessing.

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Source: Legit.ng