Over the past two years, a growing trend has emerged among Nigerian entertainers relocating to the United States, trading screen appearances for military uniforms. Four names have now been confirmed as part of this shift, each arriving at the decision through different personal circumstances but drawn by a common destination. Here is every Nigerian celebrity who has made the move so far.
Joseph Momodu (U.S. Army)
The most recent addition to the list, Momodu completed Basic Combat Training with the U.S. Army in April 2026, making him the first known male Nollywood actor to enlist. During his acting career, he featured in films including Coming to Nigeria and Play 2 Kill, and appeared in television productions such as Tinsel, Soul Sisters, and The Johnsons. He has cited his late father's service in the Nigeria Police Force as part of the motivation behind his decision, describing the enlistment as a tribute to that legacy.
Princess Chineke (U.S. Army)
Actress Princess Chineke enlisted in December 2024, following her relocation to the United States. Known for her roles in To Love a Sister, Stormy Hearts, and Masters at War, she announced the development on social media, framing the decision as a commitment to serve the country she had chosen to build her life in.
Mayowa Dosu (U.S. Army)
Actress and producer Mayowa Dosu made the transition around the same period as Chineke, also enlisting in the U.S. Army after moving abroad. Her Nollywood credits include Fears, Mamami, and Compromise. She described the career shift as a significant new direction, though she has shared fewer details publicly about what drove the decision compared to her counterparts.
Grace-Charis Bassey (U.S. Navy)
Formerly known in Nollywood as Belinda Effah, Grace-Charis Bassey joined the U.S. Navy in May 2025 and received American citizenship upon completing boot camp, the only one on this list to have formally gained citizenship through her service so far. During her acting career, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Most Promising Act of the Year. She dedicated her enlistment to her late father, who served as a naval commander, describing the moment as deeply personal.
What they stand to gain
The benefits attached to U.S. military service go well beyond a salary, which is likely a significant part of what is driving entertainers toward this path. Immigrants who enlist are placed on an accelerated route to U.S. citizenship, a process that can otherwise take years and significant expense to complete. Service members also receive fully funded healthcare and dental cover, guaranteed housing allowances, and access to educational benefits that can cover the cost of a university degree during or after service. Those who bring in-demand skills, particularly foreign language proficiency, may also qualify for expedited security clearances, opening doors to specialised roles within the military structure. Combined with lifelong veteran benefits that follow service members into civilian life, the package represents a level of financial stability and long-term security that an entertainment career, particularly in Nigeria, rarely guarantees.
