Nollywood star Joseph Momodu joins US Army after leaving acting

Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has embarked on a remarkable new chapter in his life after successfully completing United States Army Basic Combat Training and officially enlisting as a soldier.

The actor, born Abubakar Sadiq Momodu, announced the milestone after graduating from the demanding 10-week training programme at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He described the achievement as both the fulfilment of a personal ambition and a tribute to his late father, who served in the Nigeria Police Force.

Momodu said the journey tested his physical endurance, mental resilience and determination, requiring recruits to endure weeks of intense military instruction with little or no contact with family and friends. Despite moments of self-doubt, he said completing the programme reinforced his belief that meaningful accomplishments are earned through perseverance and discipline.

The actor revealed that he deliberately chose April 12, 2026, to begin this new chapter, marking two decades since his father’s death. He said enlisting in the US Army was his way of continuing his father’s tradition of serving others through public duty.

Following his graduation, Momodu now serves as Specialist (SPC) J.A. Momodu with the 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood. He credited God, his family and those who supported him throughout the enlistment process for helping him reach the milestone.

Before relocating to the United States, Momodu spent more than a decade building a successful acting career in Nollywood. His screen credits include Coming to Nigeria, Play 2 Kill and A Fool for Trust, while television audiences also recognised him from productions such as Tinsel, Soul Sisters and The Johnsons. He also featured in singer Simi’s hit music video Joromi and won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Body Male in both 2018 and 2019.

His enlistment follows a growing trend among Nigerian entertainers who have relocated to the United States and chosen military service as a new career path. Actress Princess Chineke joined the US Army in late 2024, while actress and producer Mayowa Dosu also enlisted around the same period. Former Nollywood star Grace-Charis Bassey, previously known as Belinda Effah, joined the US Navy in 2025 and later became a US citizen after completing boot camp.

Momodu is regarded as the first publicly confirmed male Nollywood actor to make the transition into the US military following a series of enlistments by Nigerian actresses over the past two years. His announcement has generated widespread attention on social media, where fans have congratulated him on pursuing a dramatically different path after years in the entertainment industry.