Abia Governor Alex Otti has approved the first phase of Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu’s medical bills as she seeks N30 million for three surgeries.
Otti approved the payment of the first phase of medical expenses for the veteran actress following her public appeal for financial assistance to undergo three life-saving surgeries. His Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment, Martins Justice, announced the intervention in a post on X on Tuesday.
Justice wrote: “His Excellency @alexottiofr has just stepped in on the health issues of our Nollywood legendary actress Mrs. Ngozi Nwosu to approve the first part of her medical bills. ” The announcement drew attention to the actress’s condition, which she had disclosed publicly in the days before the intervention.
Justice confirmed the intervention covered only part of the required medical expenses and appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the actress, writing, “While we sincerely appreciate His Excellency, we still appeal to kind-hearted Nigerians to please support her in any way possible.”
Nwosu, 62, is an indigene of Abia State. She disclosed that she requires three surgeries and needs about N30 million to cover the full cost of her treatment. That appeal, made from her hospital bed, set off a public response that eventually reached the governor’s office.
She had spent three weeks in the hospital. She urged Nigerians to help her survive. On her Instagram page, she released a video in which she addressed fans and family members directly, her words conveying a direct request for financial support.
In that video, Nwosu said, “My people, my fans, and my family, I know that you’ve not seen me in circulation for some time. I’ve been hospitalized now for three weeks. Please, the thing has gone beyond my control.”
She continued to address her supporters directly in the same clip, making the extent of her medical situation clear. She told them: “I need your help. Don’t let me die. I know that you people never forsake me… I’m begging you, my fans and family, don’t let me die because I am going through a lot, as in pain.”
Nwosu disclosed that she needed three surgeries and urged well-wishers to contact her management in the hospital to support her treatment. No specific figure was given for the portion of the bills covered by Otti’s approval, and Justice did not specify the outstanding balance in his post.
But Justice also used the occasion to speak on behalf of Nigeria’s creative community. He wrote: “On behalf of the creative industry, we all thank you immensely, my leader. Ndewo sir.” The Igbo phrase “Ndewo” is a formal salutation of respect.
According to Justice, Otti‘s approval covers the initial phase of Nwosu’s medical expenses, and he stressed that additional financial assistance will still be required to ensure the actress receives “comprehensive medical care.” No government statement separate from Justice’s social media post was issued at the time of publication.
Nwosu made her acting debut in the television series “Ripples,” where she portrayed Madam V Boot, and has since featured in over 100 movies, with credits including “Circle of Doom,” “Fake Doctor,” “A Cry for Help,” “Tanbolo,” “Silent Baron,” “Ije Awele,” and “The Smart Money Woman.”
HeNdewo,eer spans several decades in Nigerian film and television. She is one of Nigeria’s most respected Nollywood veterans, known for her performances across television and film over that period. The nature of her illness was not disclosed publicly by either the actress or her management at the time of the governor’s intervention.
Justice is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment. His post on X served as the sole official communication from the Otti administration on the matter as of Tuesday. No further statement had been released by Wednesday.
Otti’s approval addresses only the first phase of a medical bill whose total has been publicly estimated at N30 million. Justice noted that the approved funds cover only a portion of what is needed, and he urged Nigerians with the means to contribute in whatever way they can.
