Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has revealed she smoked cigarettes for 27 years, starting at the age of 13, as she shared a deeply personal testimony of transformation during a church service in Lagos. The actress said she has now been freed from smoking, alcohol addiction, masturbation, and long-standing anger issues.
Dikeh made the disclosure during a New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations service at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze. A video of the testimony was shared online on Sunday, drawing widespread attention and reactions.
Standing before the congregation, the 40-year-old actress said her struggles began early in life and followed her into adulthood. She described years of addiction and spiritual oppression, saying her breakthrough came only after seeking divine intervention.
She told the church she had battled compulsive habits for decades, including smoking and alcohol use, and also spoke openly about struggles she said affected her privately for years. According to Dikeh, her appearance at the altar was both an act of thanksgiving and a public declaration of freedom.
The actress admitted she nearly backed out of sharing her story because of concerns about her public image. She said she ultimately decided that honesty mattered more than reputation, explaining that the same God who gave her fame could also take it away.
Dikeh traced a turning point in her experience to her participation in the Ghana Prayer Conference. She said she noticed a dramatic change afterward, describing it as the end of a long period of spiritual captivity that had followed her since childhood.
Beyond addiction, she spoke candidly about struggling with intense anger that affected her relationships and personal life. She said prayer brought calm and emotional stability, something she claimed she had never truly experienced before.
For the first time in her life, Dikeh said she now lives with a sense of peace she previously did not know. She described the change as complete, adding that the urges she once battled no longer exist.
Reflecting on how her smoking habit began, the actress said childhood exposure played a major role. She revealed that her father smoked and warned parents about how small habits at home can shape their children’s futures.
She said after praying for help, her desire for cigarettes and alcohol disappeared completely, describing it as her body rejecting what once controlled it.
Pastor Jerry Eze later prayed for Dikeh, declaring that her struggles had been broken and describing her as a voice meant to inspire others.
Following the service, Dikeh shared photos from the church on Instagram, calling herself “a living testimony of mercy.” In recent months, she has increasingly spoken about her renewed Christian faith, describing her life now as one marked by peace, restoration, and purpose.
