Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle is reflecting on her journey into Nollywood.
The movie star shared a throwback photo from her role in the popular movie Sitanda on her Instagram page. Ireti revealed that a colleague sent her the photo, taken in 2006.
Ireti revealed that this was her first foray into Nollywood, and the movie went on to be a roaring success and was nominated in 11 categories at the AMAA awards.
The ex-wife of Patrick Doyle described her journey into Nollywood as diverse and colourful.
“A colleague just sent me this picture, Oluwa o!
The year is 2006
The film is SITANDA, the fruit of @amstelmalta’s first foray into Nollywood, directed by Izu Ojukwu.
It went on to be a roaring success and was nominated in 11 categories at the AMAA awards.
My journey is certainly diverse and colourful!
ChroniclesOfAWorkingActor
Opemipo
30YearsInTheGame
AfricasFinest
Abundance
Ease
Flow”.
Early last year, the veteran actress shared a harrowing experience on Instagram, where she spoke out about a near-death encounter with carbon monoxide poisoning. Ireti revealed how she was discovered unconscious in the car, foaming at the mouth with blood trickling down her nose, after unconsciously inhaling the dangerous gas. Luckily for her, divine intervention had played a crucial role in saving her life.
In 2023, Ireti spoke on why she still bears her husband’s surname, stating that the name ‘Ireti Doyle’ is now hers as it’s a name that is nearly 30 years in the making.
Ireti isn’t the only celebrity who has been reflecting on her early beginnings.
Box office Queen Funke Akindele celebrated grace as she reflected on her early beginnings. She revealed that there was a year when she had no spotlight, but the dreams were loud, the tools were not much, but the passion showed up every day.
Similarly, Annie Macaulay Idibia recalled how she usually took the long route, driving to school, to check her movie posters to see if her face was found to be marketable on the poster. Now, grace has found her, and she has become a popular demand for marketers. Annie noted that she was now choosing a film to star in.
Gabriel Afolayan, after bagging the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2025 AMVCA, noted how he got into the game in 1990 as a child actor, made a comeback in 2000 after taking a school break, became famous in 2005 and started enjoying his reward.
Lateef Adedimeji, while sharing a throwback photo of himself, stated that his journey over the years is the spirit of not giving up. Expressing gratitude to his Maker, he noted how his life is evidence of growth. Lateef stated that if anyone had told him then that he would be what he is today, he would likely throw stones at them.
