In a rare moment of raw vulnerability, veteran Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta has opened up about a deeply painful chapter in his life — the tragic death of his first child due to his inability to afford hospital care.
During a candid conversation with crew members on a movie set, captured in a video that has since gone viral, Chatta revealed how poverty and desperation cost him his daughter’s life at a time when he was still struggling to find his feet in the entertainment industry.
“Malik is not my firstborn,” he began, referring to his now publicly known child. “My first child was a baby girl. I lost her because I couldn’t pay the hospital bills.”
According to Chatta, the heartbreaking incident took place at a hospital in the Iddo area of Lagos State, a city known for its bustling streets and harsh economic realities. He recalled how he trekked helplessly from Ijora Badia to Makoko, searching for anyone who could lend him money to save his baby’s life. But help never came.
“I trekked from Ijora Badia to Makoko. I couldn’t get any money until she died,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Perhaps the most haunting part of the actor’s recollection was the burial. Stripped of options and without the means to afford a coffin, he did what he could.
“My first child was buried in the old wooden crate of Coke,” he said
For Ibrahim Chatta, now a respected name in Yoruba cinema with countless roles to his credit, this moment of grief is a sharp reminder of the invisible battles many Nigerian entertainers face long before fame finds them.
His story is more than just a personal tragedy — it shines a harsh light on the systemic failure of Nigeria’s healthcare system, where thousands of people lose loved ones daily due to a lack of affordable medical care.
In a country where millions live below the poverty line, Chatta’s confession resonates deeply with everyday Nigerians who have experienced similar losses or who live in fear of what might happen if illness or accidents strike without warning.
Now a celebrated thespian, Chatta’s emotional retelling of his daughter’s death is not just a look back at his painful past — it’s a powerful call for empathy, a reminder that behind every famous face is often a journey filled with untold suffering, resilience, and quiet strength.
And for those who know Ibrahim Chatta only through his roles on screen, this heartbreaking revelation paints a fuller portrait of a man who has endured, risen, and continues to use his voice not just for storytelling but for truth.
