Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh, speaking during a Sunday service at Streams of Joy International Church, said she started smoking at the age of 13 and battled nicotine addiction for 27 years.
She attributed the habit partly to being exposed to smoking through her father and warned parents against exposing children to harmful behaviours.
In her words:
“I have smoked since I was 13.”
The 40‑year‑old actress said she also struggled with alcohol abuse, describing herself as an alcoholic who drank heavily and often passed out in private. According to her, the habit affected her social life and relationships.
“You’re also looking at an alcoholic. I would drink and I would pass out… not a few cups, not two bottles… big vodka bottles.”
Dikeh further disclosed that she battled long‑term anger issues, which she described as destructive and damaging to her relationships and opportunities.
“I have lived with a demonic anger… an anger that destroyed my life.”
She said this anger caused her to burn bridges and push people away, even when help was available.
The actress also spoke about other personal struggles she described as spiritual oppression, which she said began in childhood and lasted for many years.
Dikeh attributed her freedom from these struggles to a renewed commitment to her faith and participation in Pastor Jerry Eze’s New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD).
She said she made a direct prayer to God, asking for help to overcome the habits she could not stop on her own, especially smoking.
“I can’t preach your Word and still have this in my hands.”
According to her, she first felt deep shame about the habits, after which the urge to smoke and drink disappeared.
“The urge was broken… My body does not need it. My body is repelling it.”
She said she is now experiencing peace for the first time in her life.
“I’m 40 years old and I can tell you I have never known peace… I’m just feeling it now.”
Tonto Dikeh said she decided to share her testimony publicly despite concerns about her image, stating that she believed obedience to God was more important than public perception.
“What image? The God that gave me the image can take it away.”
She concluded by saying she has made a personal commitment to maintain her new way of life and described her testimony as thanksgiving rather than publicity.
After her testimony, Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, prayed for her and described her as “a voice in her generation.”
