Aki Opens Up About Battling Suicidal Thoughts Due to His Height

Nollywood veteran Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has revealed that he once considered taking his own life due to the challenges he faced because of his height.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Aki shared how he struggled with societal pressure and constant ridicule from his peers. He admitted that the taunts and insults deeply affected him, making him feel hopeless at times.

The actor recounted a pivotal moment in his childhood when a doctor reassured his mother that his height was not a medical issue but rather a case of stunted growth. The doctor encouraged his mother to focus on his education, which became a turning point in his life.

“I remember my mom taking me to the hospital when I was around nine years old. The doctor told her, ‘Madam, stop worrying yourself. He has no problem. Just make sure he reads his books, goes to school, and is there for him.’ That hit me hard,” he said.

He explained that growing up in the village made the experience even tougher, as he constantly heard terms like “stunted growth” and “growth retardation” being used to describe him. The stigma was overwhelming, and he often found himself crying from the pain of being mocked.

However, Aki credited his mother for guiding him towards education instead of allowing his physical condition to define him. “My mom 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.’”

Realizing that education was his key to success, Aki focused on his studies and eventually carved out a remarkable career in Nollywood. Despite the struggles he faced, he emerged stronger, proving that determination and self-belief can overcome even the toughest challenges.