Tchidi Chikere Biography: Who Is the Nigerian Movie Director?

Tchidi Chikere (born on 10th October 1975; Age: 48) is a Nollywood movie director, producer, actor, and scriptwriter known for his hard work, creativity, and excellence in the movie industry.

Besides directing and acting, Tchidi is also a singer. The all-around entertainer has, over time, mastered his skills in the world of entertainment and, in turn, has won many awards to show for it. With a career that has spanned over two decades, Chikere has appeared and worked on several Nollywood blockbuster movies. Here’s his story.

How Old is Tchidi Chikere?

Tchidi Chikere is 48 years old. He was born on the 10th day of October 1975 in his hometown of Amuzi Ahiazu, Mbaise, in Imo State. Tchidi reportedly has other siblings but is the last child of the family. His parents are staunch Catholics, and they trained their children in the same way.

Chikere grew up alongside his siblings and parents, who are now late. His father died in September 2013, while his mother died a few years ago. After his primary and secondary education in Mbaise, Tchidi proceeded to the University of Calabar and bagged a degree in English Language and Literary Studies. He did not stop there but furthered his education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Literature.

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Tchidi Chikere’s Career Started as a Scriptwriter

During his time at UNICAL, Tchidi grew a passion for arts and writing generally. Shortly, he began to write movie scripts and also joined a three-man music group in his school. Meanwhile, Tchidi went to a seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. But as life turned out, the passion he had for art took the lead and became a reality. After his NYSC, he traveled to the UK, where he published his first book.

Tchidi Chikere ventured fully into Nollywood in 1999. In 2001, he became Fred Amata’s assistant director and since then has found his feet as a significant part of the Nigerian entertainment industry through his hard work and creativity. He has written numerous movie scripts, and featured in, produced, and directed a lot of movies.

He started as an actor, but it was not long before he decided to concentrate more on production and directing. Today, Chikere has become well established in movie directing and is considered one of the most creative directors in Nollywood. He has worked with many top Nollywood stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola, Mercy Johnson, Patience Ozokwor, Fredrick Leonard, Nkem Owoh, and Kate Henshaw, to mention but a few.

Some of the most popular movies he directed include Blood Sisters (2003), which starred Omotola Ekehinde, Genevieve Nnaji, and others. Another one is Stronger Than Pain featuring the likes of Emeka Ike and Kate Henshaw. The movie was very successful and won him an African Movie Academy Award for Best Creative Director. Tchidi Chikere directs the TV talk show, The Pink Room.

Tchidi is also a Musician

Multiple award-winning film director Tchidi Chikere is also a singer. He has proven to be an all-around entertainer when he made a move into the music world. He launched his singing career in 2007 and dropped his first music album titled Slaps and Kisses in the same year.

The album, which was produced by Marvelous Benji and OJB Jezreel, had guest appearances like Rita Dominic, Jimmy B, Patt Atta, OJB Jezreel, and Marvellous Benji. Though he has more of his hands in the film world, Tchidi has, since his debut album, been active in the music industry, releasing songs at intervals.

Meanwhile, he is the director of the popular singer KCee‘s music video titled Agbomma. Chikere released his second album in the UK. Below are some of his songs

• Jaye
• Make It
• Obelomo
• Club Zone
• Open Streets
• Again and Again
• Love Injection
• A Million Tears
• Emotions
• Show Me Heaven

Tchidi Chikere’s Awards and Recognitions

The famous producer cum director has won several awards, mostly for his directing and production skills. They include:

• 2008 – Best Comedy at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)
• 2008 – Nominee for Best Screenplay at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)
• 2009 – His movie Beautiful Soul was nominated for Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)
• 2012 – Best Male Act, Diaspora at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA)
• 2012 – Best Actor, Diaspora nominee at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA)
• 2013 – Best Original Screenplay at the Nollywood Movies Awards
• 2018 – Nominee for Best TV/Drama/Comedy series at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA)

Tchidi Chikere Has Been Married and Divorced Two Times

Tchidi Chikere lately attracted another side of the media’s attention following the crash of his 7-year-old marriage. He has exchanged marital vows two times with Nigerian actresses, but from the look of things, it seems the famous Nigerian movie director has not yet met with the bone of his bone as both of the marriages are now things of the past.

His First Marriage to Sophia Williams Lasted For Nine Years

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It has long been on record that Sophia Williams was the wife and now ex-wife of the Nigerian filmmaker Tchidi Chikere. Sophia is also a Nollywood actress known for her role in the movie, Soul on Fire. Tchidi and Sophia got married in 2003, and the marriage hit the rocks in a controversial manner in 2012, after nine years.

The couple made headlines in several media conversations following the crash of their marriage, with actress Nuella Njubigbo being in the picture. According to the mother of three, she was still married to Tchidi when Nuella began to date her husband. In fact, the report was that actress Nuella was the major reason Tchidi sent Sophia packing.

Tchidi Married Nuella Njubigbo in 2014

Two years after the end of his first marriage, rumor became rife that the film director had found a haven in the arm of Nuella, and it was not long before the news of their traditional marriage broke on the internet. Fans found it hard to believe that the two were really going to get married, given that they had received with levity the rumors of their romantic relationship.

However, it became a reality as Nuella and Tchidi got married traditionally on 29th March 2014 at the actress’s hometown in Anambra State. In the following year, they had a court wedding on 2nd November 2015 and finally walked down the aisle in a church wedding ceremony on 9th June 2018 at the Catholic Church of Transfiguration, VGC, Lagos State.

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Contrary to Sophia’s claims, Nuella said in a statement she issued via her publicist that she never crossed the line of friendship with Tchidi all through the times he was still married to Sophia. She also debunked the rumor that she was pregnant for Tchidi. Nuella maintained that her heart is very much at peace with the decision to marry the movie director and is willing to take the leap of faith that it would work for her.

Sophia Reacted to the News of His Ex-Husband Getting Remarried

Sophia did not keep quiet about the news of her ex-husband getting married to the same woman he accused to be dating while they were still legally married. The mother of three claimed that the only reason she kept quiet was that she never wanted to wash their dirty linen outside and also the fact that she has a lot of respect for her ex-husband, Tchidi.

However, she called Nuella a blatant liar and deceiver for having the guts to say that she never had anything going on with Tchidi all along.

“You put what God has joined together asunder and made my children cry to bed every night, let the Almighty God fight for me and judge you, let vengeance be of God who sees and knows everything…” she said.

Tchidi’s Response

In a bid to defend himself and his new wife, Tchidi, who had not spoken a word about his marriage crash with Sophia, broke his silence via his Twitter page. According to the father of four, his ex-wife is a nightmare trying to tarnish his image. The popular director claimed that for years, he begged and cried for love and affection from Sophia, but she never cared.

According to him, Sophia had a boyfriend while they were still married and rarely had time for her family. He went further to say that she starved him for food even after providing everything needed in the house. Tchidi concluded by warning his ex-wife Sophia to stay clear of his life if he doesn’t want her world to come crumbling.

Tchid’s Second Marriage with Nuella Crashed After 7 Years

Little did we know that the once sweethearts and Nollywood stars who confessed that they were made for each other would soon go their separate ways. Just like the announcement of their wedding, their divorce news was also received as a joke, especially when, after all, none of them came out to clear the air on many speculations in that regard.

Trouble began in paradise in early 2021 when it was discovered that the couple had unfollowed themselves on Instagram. Again, Nuella, whose Instagram name used to be Nuella Chikere, removed her husband’s name from her profile, and Tchidi, on his own part, deleted all the photos they took together on his Instagram page.

Meanwhile, the only report that hinted at the reason for their divorce was that Nuella only woke up one morning, packed her things, and sneaked out of her husband’s house. Besides these claims, there has been no other reliable information as to why Tchidi and Nuella’s marriage of seven years hit the rocks.

Tchidi Chikere Has a Total of Four Children From His Two Failed Marriages

Tchidi’s marriage to Sophia Williams produced three boys, while he had only a daughter from his second marriage with Nuella Njubigbo. The three boys are all reportedly teenagers, and his first son is said to be of legal age. While celebrating his birthday in 2021, the filmmaker shared a photo of his first son and revealed that he just got admission into the university.

“See who’s going off to the university today, and it’s also your birthday today. Study well son and happy birthday with all the love in the world. Daddy loves loves loves loves you!!!” He wrote on his Instagram.

His only daughter’s name is Tess Chikere, and she was born on 2nd December 2014. Tess is currently 9 years old. Apart from sharing their photos with their fans on their various social media pages, Tchidi and his two ex-wives do not reveal personal details about their children to the public.