Tonto Dikeh Opens Up on 27-Year Smoking Addiction and Her Journey to Spiritual Freedom

 Tonto Dikeh Opens Up on 27-Year Smoking Addiction and Her Journey to Spiritual Freedom

Popular Nollywood actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh has revealed a deeply personal chapter of her life, sharing how she battled smoking, alcohol dependency, emotional struggles, and spiritual challenges for decades before experiencing what she describes as a life-changing transformation.

Her emotional testimony, which has since sparked widespread conversation online, highlights themes of addiction recovery, faith, healing, and personal growth—topics that continue to resonate strongly with audiences in Nigeria and beyond.

According to the actress, her struggle with smoking began at an alarmingly young age.

Tonto Dikeh disclosed that she was first exposed to cigarettes at just 13 years old, a habit she said was influenced by her immediate environment at home. What started as early exposure later developed into a 27-year addiction, alongside challenges with alcohol use.

She used her story as a warning to parents, stressing that children often unconsciously adopt behaviors they observe around them.

“What may seem like a small habit can shape the future of a child,” she emphasized.

The actress shared that her transformation began after attending intensive prayer gatherings, including a prayer conference in Ghana and participating in the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD) led by Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International Church.

She explained that these moments marked a spiritual shift, describing them as the end of years of emotional and spiritual oppression.

According to her, she noticed a dramatic change in recurring spiritual experiences that had troubled her since childhood, which she believes finally came to an end during this period of prayer.

Beyond addiction, Tonto Dikeh revealed that anger once played a destructive role in her personal life and relationships.

She described it as overwhelming and harmful—something that pushed people away and disrupted her peace. Through sustained prayer and spiritual reflection, she says that emotional burden was lifted.

For the first time in her life, the actress says she now understands what true inner peace feels like.

“At 40, I can finally say I know what peace is—and I’m living in it,”she shared.

One of the most striking aspects of her testimony was her claim that she no longer experiences cravings for cigarettes or alcohol.

She explained that after praying for divine intervention, her body no longer desires substances that once controlled her daily life.

“My body now rejects what once ruled me,” she said, describing the experience as complete freedom.

The actress admitted that she initially hesitated to share her story publicly due to concerns about her reputation and public image.

However, she ultimately decided that authenticity mattered more than perception.

“The same God who gave me visibility can take it away,” she noted, explaining why she chose honesty over silence.

Following her testimony, Pastor Jerry Eze prayed for her, declaring her restored and positioned to be a positive influence in her generation.

Tonto Dikeh later shared photos from the church service on Instagram, describing herself as a living example of mercy, restoration, and grace.

In recent months, she has consistently spoken about her renewed commitment to Christianity, portraying this season of her life as one defined by healing, clarity, and purpose.