Celebrated Nigerian filmmaker Kemi Adetiba has revealed she may undergo a third surgery in her long-running fight against fibroids, a condition she has publicly battled for over a decade.
Adetiba made the disclosure in the comment section of an Instagram post by actress Ini Dima-Okojie, who also shared her experience with fibroids and called for increased awareness and medical research. In response, Adetiba wrote, “I’ve had surgery twice for this already, and it now seems I might need a third. Sigh.”
The King of Boys director first opened up about her condition in 2015, describing it as severe enough to land her in the emergency room. Despite ongoing health challenges, she has continued to thrive creatively.
Her latest project, To Kill A Monkey, a Netflix original mini-series that premiered on July 18, is already receiving critical acclaim. The series tells the story of Efemini, a man forced into cybercrime after a life-altering encounter, navigating themes of desperation, morality, and survival.
Adetiba’s openness about her health has cast a spotlight on fibroids—a condition that affects millions of women but remains under-discussed, especially in Africa. Her story adds a powerful voice to the conversation, inspiring others through her resilience and professional success.
A law graduate from the University of Lagos and alumna of the New York Film Academy, Adetiba began her career in radio before transitioning to television and eventually becoming one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed filmmakers. Her strength and creative contributions continue to influence and inspire audiences both locally and internationally.
