Jumoke George: From Nollywood Star to Homeless

Veteran Nollywood actress and producer Jumoke George has made a heartbreaking public appeal, revealing she has been homeless for over five years and relies on a church in Agbado, Lagos, for food and shelter.

In an emotional interview on the TalkToB show with actress Abiola Adebayo, the 66-year-old star broke down as she detailed her current struggles, including poor health, crushing debt, and the disappearance of her 41-year-old son.

Born Olajumoke Amoke Olatunde George on February 18, 1959, in Ibadan, Oyo State, George is a respected name in both Yoruba and English-language Nollywood films. Her career began on NTA at just eight years old, and she trained under theatre veteran Victor Ashaolu for 11 years.

Known for roles in acclaimed projects like The Wedding Party (2016), she has also worked as a TV host and earned the Matriarch Recognition Award at the 2018 City People Entertainment Awards.

Despite her accomplishments, George’s life has taken a devastating turn. In a video posted by Adebayo on May 13, 2025, she tearfully shared, “I don’t have a home. I don’t have anything. A child of mine is missing. I’m living in a church; most times, it’s the church mummy that feeds me. I’m tired, I can no longer bear it.”

"I have been homeless for 5/6 years now, please help me with your prayers"

– Nollywood actress Jumoke George cries out pic.twitter.com/NMr25IcSvP

— OLAMIDE (@Olamide0fficial) May 13, 2025

George explained that her firstborn, Adeola, has been missing for over four years, compounding the emotional toll. She has also been battling serious health issues since January 2025 and is in urgent need of ₦400,000 for brain and heart tests—funds she cannot afford. “I’ve done several tests already. Now I need brain and heart tests, but I don’t know where the money will come from,” she said.

The actress also opened up about significant debt and financial hardship. “I don’t sleep. I’m in pain. I’m in debt. You can check my phone and see the transactions,” she urged.

Her story has drawn widespread sympathy online, especially after a local resident (@sheyi_omotayo) confirmed her situation: “The church she’s talking about is on my street. We thought she was just big-sized, not knowing she’s sick and going through a lot.”

This is not George’s first encounter with hardship. In a 2024 interview, she shared a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and rejection. Raised by her father, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and a stepmother who mistreated her, George was once forced to sleep in abandoned vehicles and on tables during secondary school after being disowned.

Her adult life was marked by further challenges. Her first marriage ended in abuse, especially during her pregnancies, and she had children from two different partners, one of whom was already married. Professionally, she endured a 14-year hiatus from Nollywood (2000–2014), largely due to her refusal to succumb to sexual advances from industry gatekeepers.

She was also pressured to bleach her skin to fit into beauty standards and faced discrimination for her dark complexion. “I was blacklisted because I wouldn’t sleep with them,” she revealed. Still, she stood firm in her values: “I will glow with this skin till old age. Black doesn’t crack.”

The video has sparked both compassion and criticism. Some fans initially mistook it for a film scene. Others voiced frustration with the lack of support in Nollywood. “You people will spend millions on parties and clothes, but ignore your colleagues suffering,” one Twitter user commented. Another added, “This industry needs to do better. This woman was homeless for years, and no one knew.”

Calls for help have grown, with her account details—Margaret Olajumoke Olatunde, GTBank 0215498017—being widely shared online. Some users are tagging celebrities like Don Jazzy to assist, highlighting a larger call for aid.