Chidinma Ifunanyachi is a Nigerian-British actress and writer who aspired to become a teacher, recognising the role of education in achieving financial stability. However, her growing interest in the arts led her to pursue a career in acting and writing.
Coming from a Nigerian home, education was prioritised. “Education is pushed on you from the moment you are born,” she said. Growing up in South-East London, she was exposed to challenges such as knife crime and teen pregnancy, which reinforced her drive to succeed and make her family proud.
While she had a natural inclination towards teaching, she found it increasingly unfulfilling. “Teaching had become lacklustre for me. I had lost enthusiasm,” she said. A turning point came when she discovered her ability to act, leading her to explore writing as well. “I loved to write poetry, and I was really into reading. So I decided to try my hand at writing,” she explained. Her film, Violated, now streaming on YouTube with over 100,000 views, solidified her belief in her storytelling abilities.
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Promoting cultural identity through literature
For Ifunanyachi, the arts serve as a platform for education. “The arts industry is like going to school. Whether it’s music, film, or theatre, you give your attention, you receive information, and you learn something,” she said. This perspective shaped her storytelling approach, ensuring that her work carries meaningful messages.
Balancing British and Nigerian identities has become second nature to her. “I’ve been both heritages for such a long time that it has become a seamless art form in my life,” she said. However, cultural overlaps occur unexpectedly. “Sometimes at work, I’ll start to speak to someone who’s not Nigerian in Pidgin, or I’ll use my ‘telephone voice’ at home. It’s always funny.”
Ifunanyachi wrote the children’s book “The Importance of Names” to encourage young readers to embrace their cultural heritage. “I saw too many children get bullied over their names growing up. I wanted to be a voice for them,” she said. She hopes the book will inspire children to appreciate their identities rather than feel pressured to conform.
Future projects and lessons learned
She is currently working on new books and a film, though she remains tight-lipped about the details. “I can say that they are female-led Nigerian stories,” she revealed. Looking ahead, she envisions receiving awards, delivering a TED Talk, and creating a funded programme for young Black writers.
Her journey in both Nollywood and Hollywood has been filled with challenges. “The most important lesson is to stand your ground and stand up for what you believe in. You can’t be afraid to hear ‘no’. You’ll hear more ‘nos’ than ‘yeses’, but do it anyway,” she said.
For those navigating a similar path, she offered a simple yet powerful message: “Whatever you do, do not give up.”
