Hard work, not sexual affairs earned me political appointment – Nkiru Silvanus

Nigerian actress and politician, Nkiru Sylvanus shares with Naomi Chima, how she handled controversies surrounding her political appointment with former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, among others

Tell us a little about your family and educational background.

I come from an average family. My late father was a police officer, and my mother, now retired, was a midwife and nurse. I studied Mass Communication, History and International Relations because I love learning new things. I’m from Abia State, Osisioma local government, though many assume I’m from Imo State because I used to live there.

Did you take a break from your acting career?

I’m still very much in love with entertainment and movies, though I don’t do movies regularly like I used to because I’m more selective with scripts. I focus on work that speak volumes rather than just being in front of people. Once I see a script that catches my interest, I’ll act. I’ve also produced a couple of movies and plan to take on a big project shortly.

The name Bleh Bleh became iconic for you after the movie ‘A Cry For Help’. How did it shape your career and your personal identity?

Well, I’m not easily prone to tears, but I would say I’m a very emotional person. I think the movie brought out that part of me, a different part of me that I never knew existed. And then I gave it my best. It lifted my career, and people still remember it to this day.

How did you get into acting?

I developed an interest in acting back in secondary school after watching Abuse, a movie featuring Omotola. That inspired me to become an actress. Watching Living in Bondage from our neighbours’ windows also fueled my passion. I joined the Dramatic Society, and when I got admission to study in Enugu—the hub of Nollywood at the time—it was easy to find auditions. My first role was playing Ngozi Ezeonu’s daughter in a movie because they were looking for someone who resembled her, so I auditioned and was picked. After that role, I kept attending auditions until my big break came with A Cry for Help.

The entertainment industry has evolved. If you were asked to reprise your role as ‘Bleble’, would you?

Yes! But I would approach it differently. I am no longer that naive young girl who cries from one point to another without solutions. Now, I would take on the role of teaching perseverance and endurance through struggles and persecution to achieve success. My approach would be more empowering.

What are some of the controversies that you faced as an actress and how did it affect you?

I’m someone who people have had a lot of wrong notions about, especially when it comes to marriage. So many times people keep talking about how I got married to this person and divorced, how I got married to that person and divorced, or how I have been married before. But the truth is that the only time in my life that I got married was officially in 2023. Even though the marriage rights happened before 2023 actually, the only person I’ve been married to is Riches Sammy. I’ve never been married to any other person before. But when I read those things on social media, I just laugh, it’s just a simple thing, just ask, and you will get the correct answer.

There were rumours that you married and divorced Stanley Duru, the ex-husband of your colleague Oge Okoye, could you clarify that?

Stanley Duru is someone I know, a friend who was married to Oge Okoye but their marriage later had issues, but I was never married to him. When I read those claims, I wondered if I had somehow married him in my dreams without knowing! As a Seventh-day Adventist, if I had been married before, my church couldn’t have wedded me. Since I did have a church wedding, it means it was my first marriage. People should do their background checks properly.

Did these rumours affect your relationship with Oge Okoye?

I don’t think so, because we never really sat down to talk or evaluate our relationship. We were never very close friends—we only related when we saw each other. When everything was happening, we didn’t get the chance to meet one-on-one and discuss it. I heard a lot of rumours, but she knows that I didn’t marry the guy. You should know everything about your ex, even if you’re no longer together.

How did you handle the cyberbullying and rumours at the time?

When you become popular, there’s a lot of pressure and expectations from people. Stories you don’t even know will start to appear, and when you see them on social media, you wonder if they’re really about you. Once I understood the industry and my exposure, I decided to wear a thick skin and see things from a positive angle. If people talk about you, it means you’re successful. While I laugh at some things, I’m not happy when people are unprofessional. Having studied mass communication, I know this profession requires discipline—you shouldn’t write about people without knowing the real story. So, I just respond by closing my ears, focus on my goals and ignore the negativity.

Moving from acting to politics can be a big shift. How was that transition for you?

It wasn’t easy, but it was a career path I needed to take. At that time, the person I worked with was someone I admired greatly because of his humanitarian activities. He had several NGOs, providing free education to children and supporting various causes. So, when he decided to contest for governorship, I saw an opportunity to be part of something impactful. For me, joining politics wasn’t about personal gain—it was about working with a visionary leader to bring positive change. I have always been passionate about making an impact and helping humanity, and that was my main motivation for stepping into politics. It was never about power or money but about contributing to society and making a difference. Nigeria needs selfless leaders, people who genuinely want to solve problems and make the country work. That’s why I remain interested in politics.

There was another controversy that former Governor Rochas Okorocha had an affair with you, which led to your appointment as SA at the time. How did you handle it while in office?

When that rumour spread, it didn’t affect me much because I knew it was false. However, it was frustrating when I tried to address the lie and people chose to believe it instead of the truth. I worked extremely hard during Rochas Okorocha’s campaign, moving from community to community, speaking on stage, fasting, and praying. Our efforts were crowned with success, and I was appointed to contribute meaningfully to society. Hearing that my achievements were attributed to an alleged affair was painful because it diminished my hard work.

I remember telling a journalist at the time: “If I were just his girlfriend, why would I be running around, working under the sun, sweating, and trying to make an impact?” I had a recognisable face and could have easily made money elsewhere. Instead, I chose to work and grow my experience. The assumption that every successful woman owes her achievements to a man is deeply frustrating and unfair.

What lessons has life taught you so far?

Life has taught me many lessons, but if I had to summarise, the most important one is forgiveness. People will betray you, talk about you, and mess you up. But learning to forgive brings peace and prevents negativity from dragging you down. Forgiveness gives you the strength to move forward.

There’s also this news that you got kidnapped once, how did you heal from the shock?

At that time when I was kidnapped, it was horrific. It’s something that I would never wish on my worst enemy. However, I am someone who always tries to see things from a positive angle. I believe my kidnapping at that time led to a lot of positive outcomes, especially in combating kidnapping in Imo State. Many things were uncovered, and by the grace of God, most of the people involved were arrested. This led to crucial revelations and the rescue of several people. So, rather than dwell on the trauma, I chose to focus on the positives. When I came out of that ordeal, I was simply grateful to God that I was not harmed.

You married a business mogul, someone based both in Nigeria and abroad. How has that influenced your career?

I would say I’m one of the luckiest women on earth because my husband is very supportive of my career. He encourages me in everything I do, whether it’s in entertainment, politics, or any other venture. He constantly pushes me to strive for more and to make the best of my talents. He asks me what I want to do—whether it’s producing a movie, venturing into politics, or something else—and he supports me fully. When I told him I wanted to focus on evangelism, he was completely on board. His encouragement is helping me rebuild my career, especially in the entertainment industry, while also allowing me to pursue my passion for spreading the gospel.

How do you balance your life as a career person?

I am living my normal daily life. When you marry your partner and friend, many things come easy. Family life is easy because we understand each other and are on the same page. My entertainment career as an actress also comes naturally because I don’t hold onto anything too tightly except for God. The only aspect that may require more dedication is the gospel because I plan to give it 90 per cent of my time. God comes first, and everything else falls into place. I don’t put myself under pressure or compare myself with others; I simply walk my path, set goals, and work towards achieving them.

Do you prefer an adventurous journey, or do you enjoy indoor activities?

I am an extreme introvert, but I love travelling. Travelling is like a hobby for me. I love to explore, see new places, and experience new things. I am a very inquisitive person, so I always want to know more.

What is your favourite food and/or sport?

I don’t have a favourite food. My eating habits are very spontaneous. I can eat a particular food for a whole week, then move on to something else the next week.

When it comes to sports, my favourite activity is walking. I love taking strolls, whether in the morning or afternoon. I don’t like to stress myself too much, so while some people go to the gym, I prefer walking. I don’t think I have the stamina for intense workouts.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up in the morning, pray, do some work at home, and then head to the office. I also love writing, so I spend time doing that. Additionally, I cook because I own a restaurant. Most times, I like to be the chef for the day.

What are some of the challenges you think the industry has faced and still faces today?

Every industry has its ups and downs, but one of the biggest challenges in the Nigerian entertainment industry is distribution. We lack a good distribution network for movies. That is why many filmmakers rely on YouTube or streaming platforms. If we had a strong distribution network, Nollywood would compete globally, even with Hollywood.

If you hadn’t chosen acting as a career, what other profession would you have pursued?

I probably would have been a nurse or a doctor because I have a passion for serving and helping people.

What advice do you have for upcoming actors and artists?

The most important thing is to be real. Even if you can’t be real with others, be real with yourself. When you tell yourself the truth about who you are and what your capabilities are, you will begin to make real progress in life.

What role has spirituality played in your life and career?

My spirituality has played a huge role in my success. It has been God all the way. I come from a background where I had no godfathers or godmothers, so I had to rely on God alone. I never decide without talking to God first. Once He gives me the green light, everything falls into place.

Why do you want to go into evangelism?

I’ve been deeply concerned about the way many people are turning away from God. If you look at social media today, you’ll see many people abandoning their faith and seeking help from traditionalists and occultic practices. Some Christians are even joining these practices because they feel God has failed them. But God never fails—it’s just that many people have been misled by false teachings. Some preachers make it seem like we can manipulate God into doing what we want, but that’s not how faith works. God is sovereign, and we need to understand His true nature. I feel called to share the true gospel and help people restore their faith. That’s why I want to go into evangelism—to help people genuinely reconnect with God.

You are also a politician. What is your advice to Nigerians regarding the country’s challenges?

Our biggest problem in Nigeria is that we talk too much but do nothing. We complain on social media and give great speeches about what should be done, but take no action. If we put even one of the things we talk about into reality, Nigeria would be a better place. A small group of politicians control millions of people, yet we do nothing about it. It only happens when people are cowards. Nigerians need to stop being passive and start taking action. The corruption we complain about is not just in the government—it is also in the people. Until we begin to act instead of just talk, Nigeria will not change.