Veteran Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama has reflected on her acting career and spoken candidly about surviving an abusive marriage, revealing that she only left after the police intervened.
In an interview withSaturday Beats, theGirls Cotstar described Nollywood’s early years as a time marked by sincerity and passion.
“We were very real, down-to-earth, humble, and hungry to showcase our talents. There was no competition, no obsession with views or popularity. We just wanted to act, even when many of us didn’t fully understand what the industry entailed. That sincerity is what I remember the most,”she said.
On her failed marriage, Victoria disclosed:
“I didn’t leave; I was removed by the police. That’s the truth. I wouldn’t have left otherwise.”
The actress, who has spoken openly about enduring both physical and psychological abuse, credited psychology and spirituality as the tools that helped her heal.
“Psychology has been instrumental in my healing. It gave me knowledge and tools to understand what I went through. My spirituality also helped, through forgiveness, gratitude, and letting go,”she explained.
Victoria lamented the widespread normalisation of domestic violence in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, many people in Nigeria don’t recognise domestic violence for what it is. They see it as normal. If the abuser is wealthy or influential, people excuse it. It used to hurt me deeply, but now I see how normalised it is. The mentality really needs to change.”
She urged women to focus on healing and rebuilding after abuse:
“Move on and live your life. Improve yourself, release the pain, and don’t let the past destroy your future. In psychology, we say, ‘the body keeps the score.’ Stress leaves marks on the mind, heart, and even physical health.”
Victoria Inyama married writer Godwin Okri in 2003, and their union produced three children before it ended. She now lives in the United Kingdom , where she continues to raise awareness on domestic violence and women’s empowerment