I met my husband when I was 17 and we’ve been married for 22 years – Actress Nkiru Umeh

Nigerian actress, Nkiru Umeh has recounted meeting her husband and settling down when she was a just a teenager.

The 40-year-old thespian revealed that they met when she was 17 years old, and tied the knot a year later when she turned 18.

Nkiru explained that she decided to get married that early because she was getting many suitors even when she was 14 and it made her consider starting a family.

She said; “I met my husband when I was 17 years old but I got married at 18. I had my first son a month before my 19th birthday. I can’t say why I decided to get married that early. I started having suitors quite early and this made me consider starting a family early. I saw my husband, chose him and the rest is history.

“There was no opposition to my getting married early. Aside from having a lot of suitors at such an early age, I had rapid growth, which made me look 17 years old, even when I was just 14. This made men think that I was already mature enough for marriage. When I became an adult, I chose my husband and there was no opposition. Getting married early is a decision I am so proud to have made.

I have been married for 22 years and I just turned 40 this year. Marriage has no formula. What works for me might not work for another person. I would say what has kept my marriage going is first of all God. We put God first in everything we do. Secondly, friendship also kept my marriage going. My husband and I have a great relationship and we are friends. Thirdly, I would say understanding. We both put in the work to understand each other, even when we have disagreements.

Some people might do all the things I mentioned above, which sustained my marriage and it may still not work out well. Marriage involves two people making a decision to make it work. One can still put in all the work and still nothing works. Hence, I won’t say I know why anyone’s marriage didn’t work out.

Understanding plays a huge role in marital success but I can’t say if lack of understanding is the major reason why some celebrity marriages crash. The marital issue is a very sensitive topic and no one has a monopoly of knowledge when it comes to a successful marriage. It’s an institution with no graduation. One just keeps learning and unlearning. I won’t blame anyone for his or her marital issue.”

Speaking on her acting career, Nkiru said some challenges she faces is that she is not part of a clique in the industry.

The actress said; “The challenge I have with the industry has to do with belonging to a clique. I am not a clique person so I find it very difficult to get involved with any. Some people misinterpret this as pride but this is just me.

I don’t have to belong to a clique to work. The catch should be my craft first, then, my look should be a plus. My personal challenge is being a family person. I put my family first before anything else Sometimes, this becomes a challenge but I always find a way to strike a balance.”