By Douglas Princemola
Veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, fondly known as Osuofia, has taken a bold step from comedy to community impact by building a free school for underprivileged children in Enugu State.
For decades, Owoh entertained millions across Nigeria and beyond with his humor, but behind the laughter was a childhood memory that shaped his dream. He recalls watching children in his village struggle to attend school, many without shoes, books, or food. It was then he made a promise: “One day, if God blesses me, I will do something.”
Now, that promise has become a reality. Through his philanthropic initiative, he has established the Osuofia Foundation Academy, a tuition-free school where children can learn without the burden of fees, uniforms, or basic materials.
People know me as Osuofia, they laugh when they see me in movies, but many don’t know the other side of me. For me, true success is not in how many cars you drive, but in how many lives you touch,” Owoh said while unveiling the school.
The project, located in Enugu, is designed to remove barriers that prevent children from accessing education. By naming the academy after his famous screen character, Owoh not only honors the career that brought him fame but also uses it as a bridge to inspire hope in the younger generation.
Education experts and community leaders have hailed the initiative as a transformative move, stressing that access to free, quality learning could reshape the futures of many children in rural communities.
With the Osuofia Foundation Academy, Nkem Owoh is proving that his legacy will not only be defined by laughter on screen, but also by lives uplifted through education.
