Celebrity marriages can fail due to intense public scrutiny fueled by a highly engaged media audience, the couple’s demanding careers, and the significant amount of time spent apart due to work commitments.

The stakes are nearly always high, and vested interests can strain the partnership.

Fame can cause a loss of privacy, while the constraints of maintaining a public image create excessive expectations.

Celebrities’ hedonistic tendencies might lead to infidelity and make it tough to maintain a marriage in the spotlight.

In Nigeria, traditional traditions and familial constraints frequently clash with the western modernism that celebrities promote.

Polygamy, financial differences, and extended family commitments all have the potential to strain relationships.

This makes it tough for some celebrity marriages to thrive, but others come crumbling down quickly.

HowNG examines some celebrity marriages in Nigeria that have endured for more than two decades.

1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

This celebrity pair has set the norm for many marriages, having been married for 35 years.

The couple is reported to have met at Lagos’ National Theatre in 1981.

This time coincided with Nigeria’s 21st independence anniversary.

They married eight years later, in 1989, and had two children.

Jacobs and Silva formed and co-operated the Lufodo Group, a media conglomerate that includes film production, distribution assets, and an academy of performing arts.

In November 2021, Silva said Jacobs was suffering from dementia.

Pictures showed that her husband had lost weight.

During an interview, Silva discussed his declining health and her problems caring for him.

Despite this, their friendship remains strong.

2. Tunde and Wunmi Obe

They are affectionately known as T.W.O. and were married in 1998.

The Nigerian show business, music, and entrepreneur pair met while attending university.

Tunde and Wumi rose to prominence in the entertainment industry after making regular appearances on The Charly Boy Show.

They acquired enormous popularity after the release of their debut studio album, ‘Sealed’, in 1999.

They’ve been married for 26 years and have three children.

3. RMD and Jumobi Adegbesan

Richard Mofe-Damijo married his partner Jumobi on December 20, 2000.

This came after the actor’s first wife, May Ellen-Ezekiel, died in 1996.

RMD and Jumobi had four children together.

Jumobi, a renowned TV presenter, has not been seen in the media since she married RMD.

In September 2023, RMD explained why actors struggle to be faithful in marriage.

“It is hard to be faithful in marriage because of the line of work we are in,” he said.

“Every one of us that is married, we are the target. Look at how women are. How can you escape it?”

4. Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde and Matthew Ekeinde

Omotola’s wedding to Matthew in 1996 drew attention due to her young age.

After 28 years, their marriage is still going strong, and they have four children: Princess, M.J., Meraiah, and Michael.

Their marriage was strained in 2021 when reports circulated that Omotola was having an affair with politician Adams Oshiomhole.

The actress refuted the allegations and demanded proof of the affair.

5. Gloria and Nobert Young

Gloria and Nobert’s marriage demonstrates the potential for successful celebrity marriages.

The couple, known for their roles in several films, have been married since 2002 and have three children.

In an interview with TheCable, Norbert discussed his opinions on adultery as an actor.

“If you are not disciplined, you will fall easily into temptations,” he said.

“There is temptation everywhere but your commitment to your job, marriage, and partner will help you to see it through.

“You will be exposed to a lot of people in your everyday life.

“If you are committed to your relationship, you will know how to handle yourself.”

6. Omoni and Nnamdi Oboli

The couple’s 10-year age difference has not prevented their love from growing.

Their marriage is one of those that has endured the test of time.

On October 28, 2000, Omoni and Nnamdi walked down the aisle.

They are still married over 24 years later.

The union has three children: Gozi, Chizi, and Tobe.

The duo has also co-produced several successful films together.

They include ‘Being Mrs. Elliott’ and ‘Render to Caesar’.

7. Tony and Ogo Umez

The renowned Nollywood actor and his wife are married since 1999 and have four children together.

It is believed that the pair met on the set of a film.

The couple recently celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary by showering each other with econium and expressing their enduring love.

8. Peju Ogunmola and Sunday Omobolanle (Papi Luwe)

The marriage of two notable Yoruba performers in 1989 created quite a commotion.

Luwe was already married with three children, whereas Peju was only 23 at the time.

However, the celebrity couple was still married 35 years later.

9. Tope and Soji Alabi

Soji and Tope married in 2000 and have remained committed to one other.

Almost 24 years later, the couple remains married, and Soji also serves as his wife’s manager and music producer.

He is also the CEO of Gospel Vibes Limited, to which his wife has signed.

10. Francis and Adokiye Duru

Francis Duru, an acclaimed actor, married his wife Adokiye on May 31, 2003.

The pair met as undergrads at the University of Port-Harcourt in Rivers state.

After 21 years, their union remains strong. They have four children.