Stunted Growth Nearly Drove Me to Suicide – Chinedu ‘Aki’ Ikedieze

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, famously known as “Aki,” has revealed how his early struggles with stunted growth nearly drove him to the brink of suicide. In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Ikedieze shared how a diagnosis at the age of nine drastically changed the course of his life.

According to the actor, doctors told his mother that he had “stunted growth” or “growth retardation” after a hospital visit during his childhood. The news deeply affected him, not only because of the diagnosis itself but also due to the bullying and mockery he faced growing up in the village. He recalled being taunted and called names, which took a toll on his mental health.

“I cried several times,” he admitted. “It got so bad that, at times, I thought of ending it all.”

Despite the emotional weight of his experience, Ikedieze said his mother’s unwavering support helped guide him. She encouraged him to focus on education, often reminding him that physical strength wasn’t his path but that his mind would take him far.

“She 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,’” he said.

Those words stuck with him. Inspired by both his mother and the doctor’s advice, Ikedieze channeled his energy into academics, seeing education as his way forward. That determination ultimately paved the way for his rise in Nollywood, where he became one of the most beloved actors in Africa.