In recent years, the “Japa” wave has not spared anyone, not even Nollywood. Once the pride of Nigerian cinema, many of its beloved stars have packed their bags and relocated abroad in search of better opportunities, stability, or simply a fresh start.
These are actors who once dominated our screens, from blockbuster leads to fan-favorite supporting roles, now choosing new lives in countries like the UK, Canada, and the United States.
While some have continued their craft in film and theatre abroad, others have completely switched paths, venturing into business, tech, health, or even ministry. Their moves highlight the growing realities of Nigeria’s economic and social challenges and the desire among creatives to find sustainable careers and better living conditions.
For fans, their absence has left a visible gap in Nollywood’s storytelling fabric, but their journeys also reflect a universal truth: sometimes, growth means leaving the familiar behind.
New career-Physician
In the early 2000s, McMorris “Maurice” Ndubueze was one of Nollywood’s most recognizable faces, known for his commanding performances in campus-themed dramas and thrillers. His roles in Final Hour and Married Women on Campus made him a staple of Nigeria’s fast-growing home video industry, where he often played the sharp-talking “bad boy” audiences loved to hate.
Ndubueze went on to feature in a string of successful films, including Girls’ Cot, Old Testament and its sequel, Ass on Fire, and Chasing the Dream. He shared the screen with leading Nollywood stars such as Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Mary Njoku, and Funke Akindele, building a solid reputation in the industry’s golden era of video productions.
But while many of his peers remained in entertainment, Ndubueze charted a new course. He relocated to the United States, earned a medical degree, and now practices as a physician.
