‘I might need a third surgery’– Kemi Adetiba opens up on ongoing battle with fibroids
Kemi Adetiba, award-winning filmmaker and director of To Kill a Monkey, says she may undergo a third surgery as her struggle with fibroids persists.
In an Instagram comment responding to a post by actress Ini Dima-Okojie — who also spoke about her own battle with the condition — Adetiba shared that despite two surgeries, the issue has not been resolved.
“I’ve had surgery twice for this already, and it now seems I might need a third. Sigh,” she wrote.
Ini Dima-Okojie had earlier posted: “We NEED a cure for fibroids. In the meantime, I hope every woman dealing with it is hanging in there. Just know that you are not alone.”
Adetiba’s journey with fibroids first came to public light in 2015, when she described it as a “severe case” that once led to an emergency room visit. Ten years later, the filmmaker continues to navigate the condition.
Despite the health setbacks, Adetiba has remained a force in Nollywood, with a growing reputation for bold storytelling and box office success.
Her latest Netflix film, To Kill a Monkey, has garnered widespread acclaim and sparked fresh conversations in the Nigerian film space.
Known for hit titles like The Wedding Party and King of Boys, Adetiba has helped redefine commercial cinema in Nigeria, blending political themes with gripping drama and female-led narratives.
Before her rise as a filmmaker, Adetiba studied Law at the University of Lagos and later honed her directing skills at the New York Film Academy.
She began her career in media as a radio presenter and later hosted the reality dance show Maltina Dance All.
In 2022, she married Ghanaian music producer Oscar Heman-Ackah. Though often in the spotlight, Adetiba has kept her personal life largely private.
Her public disclosure of ongoing health challenges has struck a chord with many women in Nigeria, where conversations around fibroids — a condition that affects an estimated 70 to 80 percent of women of reproductive age — often remain muted.
By speaking out, Adetiba adds her voice to a growing call for greater awareness, medical research, and support for women living with the condition.
