Biography & Career Of Ibrahim Chatta

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Biography & Career Of Ibrahim Chatta

Ibrahim Chatta is a renowned Nollywood Yoruba actor, producer and director. He has starred in over 100 movies and won several awards for outstanding performances.

He is known for his versatility, charisma and ability to portray different roles convincingly.

He is also a singer and songwriter who has released some albums and singles. He is among the most influential and respected figures in the Nigerian movie industry.

Early Life & Education

Ibrahim Chatta was born on October 13, 1970, in Bachita, a town in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, and is turning 54 in 2024.

He is the second child of his father, Alhaji Ismaila Afolabi Chatta, a wealthy businessman and politician, and his mother, Hajia Aishat Chatta, a devout Muslim and housewife.

He has 13 siblings, seven brothers and six sisters, all older or younger than him. He grew up in a large family that was well-respected in the community. Ibrahim attended St. Anthony’s Primary School in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, for his elementary education.

However, due to financial constraints, Ibrahim’s academic journey was cut short when he could not proceed to secondary school. His father, who had multiple wives and children, could not afford to sponsor all of them to further their education.

Ibrahim was among the unlucky ones who had to drop out of school and fend for themselves. He was devastated by this turn of events and felt betrayed by his father.

Ibrahim decided to leave his hometown and move to Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, in search of greener pastures. He was only 15 years old when he embarked on this journey. He had no relatives or friends in Lagos, so he had to survive independently.

He did various menial jobs to make ends meet, such as working as a bus conductor, a mechanic, a bricklayer, a barber and a security guard. He faced many challenges and hardships in Lagos but never gave up on his dreams of becoming an actor and a singer.

Personal Life

Ibrahim Chatta has been married three times in his life. His first marriage was to Olayinka Solomon, a fellow actress and producer. They met on the set of a movie and fell in love. They got married in 2006 and had a son named Malik Damilare Chatta.

However, their marriage did not last long, as they divorced in 2009 due to irreconcilable differences. Ibrahim accused Olayinka of being unfaithful and disrespectful, while Olayinka claimed that Ibrahim was abusive and irresponsible.

Ibrahim’s second marriage was to Salamatu Mohammed Lafiaji, the daughter of a former senator from Kwara State, Shaaba Lafiaji. They married in 2012 in a lavish ceremony many celebrities and politicians attended.

They had a daughter named Khadijat Adebisi Chatta. However, their marriage also ended in divorce in 2014 due to incompatibility and interference from their families. Ibrahim alleged that Salamatu was too proud and arrogant, while Salamatu complained that Ibrahim was too controlling and demanding.

Ibrahim’s third and current marriage is to Olaide Aishat Chatta, a businesswoman and socialite. They married in 2016 in a low-key ceremony only witnessed by their close friends and relatives.

They have been living happily together ever since. Ibrahim has described Olaide as his soulmate and best friend, while Olaide has praised Ibrahim as her hero and protector.

Career

Ibrahim Chatta started his acting career in 1985 when he joined a theatre group called Afopina Theatre Group, led by the late Adebayo Faleti. He learned the rudiments of acting, directing and producing from the group.

Ibrahim debuted in the movie industry in 1992 when he featured in a Yoruba movie, Abinuwaye. He played a minor role in the movie but impressed the director and audience with his performance.

He then went on to feature in more movies, such as Owo Blow, Ti Oluwa Nile, Aye Olorogun, Omo Jaiye Jaiye, Omo Ekun, Omo Pupa, Omo Ghetto, Omo Elemosho, and many others.

Ibrahim also ventured into producing and directing movies. He established his own production company called Ibra Films. He has produced and directed over 50 movies, including Mafi Wonmi, Atinio’go, Aye Dudu, and Shina Rambo.

Ibrahim has also featured in some English movies, such as October 1, The Antique, The Grudge, The Tribunal, The Bridge, The Island, The Wedding Party, The CEO, The Arbitration, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, The Ghost and the Tout, The Bling Lagosians, The Millions, The Set Up, The Perfect Picture, The Razz Guy, and many others.

Ibrahim is also a singer and songwriter who has released some albums and singles. Some of his songs are Owo, Omo Naija, Omo Ologo, Omo Osho, Omo Owo, Omo Oyinbo, Omo Pastor, Omo Poly, Omo Sango, Omo Shomolu, Omo Wobe, Omo Yoruba, Omo Zaria, and many others.

Awards

Ibrahim has won several awards and nominations for his work in the movie industry. Some of them are:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2010 for his role in Mafi Wonmi.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2012 for his role in Aiyekooto.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014 for his role in Omo Elemosho
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2015 for his role on October 1.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2016 for his role in The Antique.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2017 for his role in Ota Ile.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba) at the Golden Movie Awards in 2018 for his role in Lukudi.

Controversy

Ibrahim Chatta has been involved in controversies and scandals in his career and personal life. Some of them are:

In 2013, he was accused of beating up his second wife, Salamatu, and causing her to miscarry their unborn child. He denied the allegation and claimed he only slapped her once for disrespecting him. He also said that she was not pregnant at the time of the incident.
In 2014, he was arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a phone belonging to a fellow actor, Kunle Afod. He was later released after he proved his innocence and explained that he only borrowed the phone to make a call.
In 2015, he was rumoured to have had an affair with a married actress, Laide Bakare. He denied the rumour and said that they were only friends and colleagues. He also said that he respected her marriage and would never do anything to jeopardize it.
In 2016, he was accused of being a cultist and a ritualist by some online bloggers. He refuted the accusation and said he was a devout Muslim and a law-abiding citizen. He also threatened to sue the bloggers for defamation and blackmail.
In 2017, he was alleged to have impregnated a young actress, Lizzy Anjorin. He dismissed the allegation and said he was happily married to his third wife, Olaide. He also said that he had no relationship with Lizzy and that she only used his name to gain popularity.