In the world of glitz, premieres, and packed-out cinemas, few would imagine that behind the lens of King of Boys and The Wedding Party stands a woman quietly enduring a private war.
Kemi Adetiba, one of Nollywood’s most celebrated directors, has revealed she may need a third surgery to battle a relentless health issue—uterine fibroids.
Ten Years. Two Surgeries. Still Fighting.
Kemi’s journey with fibroids isn’t new. It began long before the red carpets and streaming deals. In 2015, she made her first public disclosure—detailing an agonizing ordeal where pain gripped her so tightly she couldn’t even cry. Rushed to an emergency room and diagnosed with anaemia from excessive bleeding, she once considered a hysterectomy, fearing the worst.
But she found a “compassionate” Nigerian surgeon who offered a less drastic option—and that first surgery became a turning point. It gave her a second chance, not only at health but also at the creative renaissance that followed.
Now, Another Chapter Begins
Fast forward to August 2025. In a heartfelt Instagram exchange with fellow actress Ini Dima-Okojie, who opened up about her own fibroid journey, Adetiba dropped a sobering update: “I’ve had surgery twice for this already, and it now seems I might need a third. Sigh.”
No drama. No pity. Just truth—the kind that resonates with thousands of women silently living with fibroids, navigating surgeries, hospital bills, and emotional fatigue.
Directing Through the Pain
Kemi’s story is not just one of survival—it’s a testament to resilience. While healing, she gave the world blockbusters. While managing recurring symptoms, she launched her own production outfit and returned with To Kill a Monkey—her latest project now in post-production.
She creates even as her body fights her. That duality—of strength and struggle—is what makes her journey more than inspiring; it’s revolutionary.
Why Her Voice Matters
Fibroids affect an estimated 70–80% of Black women before age 50. Yet, cultural silence and medical gaslighting often leave many to suffer without clarity or care.
By sharing her truth, Kemi joins a growing chorus of women breaking the silence—reminding the world that glam doesn’t erase pain, and that conversations around female reproductive health must be normalized.
“You’re Not Alone.”
Years ago, Kemi admitted how hard it was to make the right medical decision, even with all her resources: “It was difficult making the right choices… Thank God I found a doctor who thought that [hysterectomy] was rubbish… in Nigeria!”
Now, her voice is clearer. Stronger. And filled with a message that transcends film and fame: You can be thriving… and still healing. And that’s okay.
What Lies Ahead
While there’s no official word on the timing of a third surgery, her candor suggests she’s preparing—physically and mentally—for another battle. But knowing Adetiba, she’ll likely turn that pain into purpose.
And in true director fashion, she’ll write her own ending.
